Word on the street: What's the best pre-game music?

Berkeley High School junior August Kung plays boys varsity soccer at BHS. Before soccer games, he mostly gravitates towards music with fast and hard-hitting beats. “I like rap and songs that have an energetic melody and beat because they bring the intensity up,” he said. Kung also appreciates when other genres are mixed into his playlist, especially around the holiday season. “Christmas music is good too, because it’s festive and makes people happy,” he added.

Clara Schnoll is a BHS senior on the swim team. “(Before competitions) I sometimes like to listen to quieter music because I get really nervous,” Schnoll said. Her team usually plays high-energy, early 2000s and 2010s party music to set the tone and build adrenaline before swim competitions. Schnoll personally prefers calmer music that helps ease her nerves. While upbeat music can be motivating for the team, Schnoll finds that calmer tunes allow her to mentally prepare and stay composed before races. She believes pre-competition music does affect an athlete’s performance and mindset, even if it is subtle.

Jacqueline Reid is a BHS sophomore on the softball team. “We usually listen to really upbeat music, like some country music, pop music, and rap,” Reid explained. This range, from country music to rap music, helps the team build excitement and get ready for games. “A specific song that I’ve heard a lot is ‘Country Girl,’ by Luke Bryan,” Reid mentioned. Personally, she prefers listening to rap music before games, helping her to get focused and in the zone. She believes pregame music has a direct effect on her personal performance. “If I’m not feeling energized, I don’t think I’m gonna play like my best,” Reid said.

Becker Hockenbrock, a BHS junior on the varsity lacrosse team, enjoys a mix of upbeat and nostalgic pop hits  and energetic rap songs before games. He added that catchy pop music, especially early 2000s hits from female artists like Katy Perry, helps to set the tone and boost the team’s energy before they play. For Hockenbrock, hype-up music is an important part of the game day atmosphere. “It really inspires and motivates the team,” he said, “but I think we as a team play amazingly no matter the music we listen to.”