WOODBURY — From nail-biting games to total shutouts, Nonnewaug High School always stands out when it comes to energetic crowds. Decked out in red, pink or any other theme, students have made showing up to sports games a big part of the Nonnewaug culture. While these crowds are big and fun, how do they affect the players’ performance in games?

One of Nonnewaug’s biggest sporting events of the year is the red-out basketball game. Students fill the bleachers with their school spirit, and are always loud. The gym is filled to the brim with posters, tons of fans in a wave of red, loud chants.

Senior basketball and soccer player Matt Shupenis says a big crowd helps his game.

“I feel like the red-out crowd brings a lot of energy to us, and just being able to play with a crowd behind our backs makes me play better,” says Shupenis.

Junior Olivia Gwiazdowski agrees with Shupenis that the larger crowd atmosphere helps her play better. 

“Just knowing that there are people there just cheering me on gets me excited and I want to do well for my team and for my school,” says Gwiazdoski.

This one big game in particular doesn’t negatively affect Shupenis. But he and others, like captain of the boys soccer team Lincoln Nichols, have seen some of their teammates stress over the overwhelming weight of expectations.

“I’m not gonna name names, but I think there are people that don’t deal with pressure that well,” says Nichols.

Shupenis also notices the pressure getting to people. He feels that it is his job as a leader to help his teammates overcome it.

“As a captain of the team, you have to bring them up with you,” Shupenis said.

Aiden Lessard, a freshman on the Northwest United football team, has found that the atmosphere of games with a big student section is better for the Workhorses.

“I think that people get really hyped when they see a lot of people in crowds, especially when they score,” Lessard says. “It gets the adrenaline pumping.”

Football is a fan favorite at Nonnewaug, and it always draws large crowds. But what about the teams that don’t get as much of a fan base?

“For teams that don’t get that much support, a big crowd helps them do well because it is some of the only time that there’s a lot of people watching,” says senior Ellie McDonald, the president of Athletes’ Council. “They want to show the spectators that they are really good.”

At the Berkshire League cross country championship meet Oct. 17, tons of people showed up to Black Rock State Park in Thomaston to cheer on the teams competing. There were lots of nerves for athletes because ultimately this is one of the biggest meets of the year. 

Sophomore Luke Lodice, who finished fourth in the boys race, felt nervous about the meet.

“I was scared because I knew it would be really painful and I knew I was going to have to give it everything I had,” Lodice said.

Although Lodice was a little nervous, he was grateful for everyone who showed up to watch and encourage him.

“These people are really supportive of me,” Lodice said, “and it made me feel a little bit better.”