There are 15 minutes until game time.

The team takes the court and warms-up to make sure they are ready to give their everything for the game they are about to play.

They do the traditional to get prepped for the game.

Dribble.

Pass.

Shoot.

But what about to warm them up mentally? How do they stay focused and motivated? For many, they tune out the world by tuning into a pump-up playlist. A great way to get any athlete’s blood pumping and adrenaline rushing is with hard hitting bass, energetic tempos and motivational lyrics. For winter athletes, their pump up playlists are just as important as their pre-game warmups.

Junior Logan Weber is a firm believer that Taylor Swift never fails to help get him ready and put his head in the game.

“Taylor Swift really gets my blood pumpin’,” Weber said. “‘Style’ is one of my favorites. My friend Reece and I used to sing that song every time it came on.”

Junior Morgan Holub explained how listening to the songs she dances to before she performs helps her focus and get in the mindset to give 110 percent and leave it all on the stage.

“I usually just put my headphones in to get my nerves out and to block out everyone around me,” Holub said. “While I listen to my competition music I do a miniature workout or jog in place to pump up. Specific songs I like to listen to outside of my comp music are ‘Beautiful Now’ by Zedd and ‘Take Me Home’ by Cash Cash.”

Music is a way to bring people together. Physically and mentally. Sometimes an entire team has a particular collection of songs they listen to together to get ready and pump up. Freshman Graci Leineberg said throwbacks are the varsity cheerleaders favorite way to get ready to perform and put them into a positive mindset.

“Our team’s song is ‘Freak the Freak Out’ from ‘Victorious,’ so whenever we need a pump-up, or when we warm up, that’s our go-to song,” Leineberg said. “We always stick to ‘High School Musical’ or ‘Hannah Montana’ type music because it’s all so upbeat and we all grew up to it. Those types of songs always put everybody on the team in a good mood to get ready to perform.” 

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The Tom Tom staff has put together a collection of songs that is made up of some of their favorite pump-up jams. The playlist is easy to access and can be found on Spotify. Search “ACHSTomTom” and follow our “PUMP UP PLAYLIST” playlist and get ready to stand up and get that blood racing.