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Athletes compete with spring allergies

Athletes compete with spring allergies
Graphic by Kelsey Shockey

When spring pops into mind, most think of warmer weather, flowers blooming, and spring sports.

But when some students think spring, they think of runny noses, itchy eyes, and constant coughs.

Spring is the prime time for seasonal allergies.

Athletes need their body to be functioning its best at all times in order to perform well. But when spring allergies start to kick in, they can affect athletes’ training and performance.

Lauren Stefenson ’16, a soccer player, is one of many Staples athletes with spring allergies. “I start sneezing a lot and it’s harder to breathe (in spring). I also have asthma attacks more often during practice because of my allergies.”

According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, allergies can trigger symptoms of asthma. Especially for athletes, asthma can make it difficult to practice and perform because of trouble breathing.

“At some points in the season, it got so bad that I wouldn’t even be able to play.  I had to keep my Claritin in my bag just in case,” former baseball player Jacob Offir ’16 said.

Allergies nearly impossible to get rid of, but there are some measures athletes can take to keep symptoms controlled in season.

“Students with seasonal allergies should talk to their doctors about taking an antihistamine before the symptoms start and should keep an inhaler with them at all times if they have asthma,” recommends Staples nurse, Susanne Bookbinder.

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About the Contributor
Aileen Coyne, Staff Writer
Loyal, honest, and light-hearted are just a few words that describe Aileen Coyne ’16. A passionate swimmer, Coyne started competing at the age of seven. She currently swims six days a week and competes in distance freestyle divisions. She is also lifeguard certified and spent some time over the summer lifeguarding at the Fairfield County Hunt Club. Coyne has been a staff writer for Inklings since the second semester of her sophomore year. She is a dedicated student who enjoys the freedom in the course load of senior year. She is currently taking three math classes—personal finance, ap multivariable calculus, and ap statistics—as math is her favorite subject. In addition to math, Coyne has always loved the writing component of English class. “I would so much rather pick up a newspaper than pick up a book,” she explained, “so joining Inklings [has always] made sense.”

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