The 2023 fall sports season is coming to an end. Looking back, a lot was happening on the field. When it comes to long nights on the soccer field or Friday night football games, one can’t help but notice the current hairstyles that have taken the field. For instance, man buns have gained popularity amongst our athletes. Is it a fashion trend or the magic behind their success?
The Stoughton Varsity Boys Soccer team has had a phenomenal season, one of their best in years. They came in fourth in the Badger Small conference with a 7-4-3 record from their regular season.
Luke Parisi, a senior forward, is considered very quick on and off the field; Parisi holds the all-time boys’ ten-fly record at Stoughton High School with a speed of 0.90 second. On the field, he moves the ball quickly and efficiently. Parisi has been sporting a man bun throughout the entire soccer season, and one can’t help but wonder if the hairstyle has been a contributing factor to his success.
When asked if his current hairstyle has impacted his speed, Parisi said, “Oh yeah, [when I] keep it in a man bun or a ponytail [I have] more vision, [I move] more [aerodynamically].”
Parisi has attempted many techniques to keep his hair in place. “I used to wear a headband, but that didn’t work very well,” Parisi said.
Parisi also shared that his coach, Amy Hermanson, helps decide what hairstyle he wears that night.
Overall, Parisi feels his man bun has improved his athletic performance this season.
Stoughton Varsity Football hosted six conference games this season, ending with an overall record of 4-5 in their regular season. The team had many players who stood out , including senior Wide Receiver Chris Cooksey.
“I’ve had a lot of opportunities, and I’ve made a lot of plays,” Cooksey said.
As a wide receiver, you need to be able to move quickly with the ball and have good eye-hand coordination. Cooksey has shown these qualities throughout the 2023 season. Game highlights from four conference matchups show that Cooksey caught 14 passes for a total of 340 yards and scored six touchdowns. In the 2022 season, as a junior, Cooksey played on Varsity Reserve (VR or JV1). During that season, he was the quiet player who knew he had room to grow.
Over the summer, Cooksey boldly decided to cut his hair, thinking it had gotten too long and finding out he preferred it shorter at a more maintainable length.
Throughout the season, he has proven to everyone on and off the field that his hard work was paying off; Cooksey has made a significant impact at the varsity level and exceeded the expectations of his coaches and fellow teammates.
“I am [definitely] a lot more confident,” Cooksey said.
Cooksey feels that his confidence plays a role in his overall athletic performance, not necessarily due to his hairstyle. When asked if Cooksey would ever grow his hair out again, Cooksey said, “I might just get a mullet.”
Whatever it may be, a man bun, mullet, or a buzz cut on an athlete may be a fun contributor to the game, but it is clear that it comes down to the true athleticism and hard work that is key to one’s success.
