Jett Travis ’27. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

This edition of student-athletes’ pre-game rituals features Jett Travis. This is part of a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.

Jett Travis ’27 is a first-year Junior and member of the Northwood Varsity hockey team, and he had a unique pre-game routine. Jett adds, “Every time I do this routine, I feel like I can play at the best of my game.”

“My day starts when I wake up, and I do a couple of stretches. Then hop in the shower and listen to music that fires me up for games. I keep jamming out while I put on my suit.”

“I hop on the bus that takes the team and me to the Olympic Center. The moment I stepped off the bus, the mood changed to all business. Before entering the locker room, shoes must be removed to keep the floor clean. Change into the warm-up gear to get comfortable and get my skates sharpened by Coach Tommy Spero before the coach’s meeting.”

“After the meeting, I throw on my AirPods and turn on the band AC/DC before I grab my tape bag and my game stick. I step into the arena and start taping my stick with white tape: the knob and halfway down the blade, from middle to toe. It always must be black tape.”

I would play soccer with the team for three games, and during warm-ups, we used a dynamic warm-up that got my legs moving. A good there-and-back of High knees, Butt kicks, Side shuffle, karaoke, Super Marios, Leg risers, can openers/closers, Hamstring stretch, and sprints.

“When it comes to hitting the tunnel, that’s when everyone and everything is blocked out of my mind, and that’s when I know I’m ready for this game.”

“If something is working, why switch it up?” Jett said. Jett has stuck with this routine for many years, and it shows that it keeps him at the top of his game. As it does not seem Jett is slowing down anytime soon.

This edition of athletes’ pre-game rituals features Jett Jewett, who embodies the essence of simplicity and versatility. Jewett plays on the U19 soccer/football team, operating primarily as a defensive-minded midfielder, but has recently shown potential as a more box-to-box midfielder, one who can provide output both in defense and going forward. This is part of a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.

Jett Jewett ’27. Photo: Northwood Soccer/Instagram.

Though he has no superstitions, he does have a structured, consistent routine. “The night before game(s), I stretch out and do mobility work – after a long bus ride, my body is usually sore. So, I’ll hop on the bike at the hotel gym, if they have one; if not, I’ll just stretch out. Lastly, I need to get at least 8 hours of sleep. On gameday morning, I start by drinking a bottle of electrolyte at breakfast, then I always eat a Banana and an Orange. After that, I shower and then take the bus to the game. Once I get on the bus, I turn on my music; my two artists are Gunna and Drake.”

All athletes have gas station must-haves; some are healthier than others, prioritizing discipline and high-quality ingredients over sugary junk food. Jett falls into the healthy category: “I always get trail mix, specifically the bag with the M&M’s. On top of that, I grab myself a vitamin water – I keep it healthy.”

“I would suggest that you do not change anything on gameday – meaning don’t do things that you haven’t done before,” Jewett advises. “If you start preparing in ways that you don’t normally do, you subconsciously make the game feel bigger than it actually is. I stick to my routine and keep it simple; that works for me,” he added.

“What player inspires me? Kevin De Bruyne. I wouldn’t say that my playstyle is similar to his, but he’s been my favorite player from a young age; So, I don’t have a player who I try to model my game after, however, De Bruyne is the one that’s inspired me.”

This is part of a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.

Pete Moore ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

A hockey game for Peter Moore ‘25 starts the night before. He always makes sure he goes to the gym for an hour and a half to stretch and shoot pucks. He then follows up the night by doing normatecs, which area recovering compression system that goes on his legs. “If my legs are not too sore, I switch things up and do yoga and meditations” Peter explains. He makes sure all his homework is done and goes to bed around 10 pm.  

“In the morning, usually, the team has a stretch at 9:30 before our 10:30 brunch. So, I’ll get up at nine, shower, get ready for the gym, try to get as loose as possible in the gym, drink as much water as I can, try to get hydrated. I then go to brunch, and my goal is to eat five plates of food with 1 cup of milk. I try to stay off my phone, and socialize with everyone as much as I can, and then I go to my bed to read my book and fall asleep for an hour. Right when I wake up, I go straight into the shower—cold shower, to get the blood flowing—and hop in my suit right after. We have a pre-game meal around 3-4 hours before the game, so I only eat one plate, and of course, a cup of milk.’’ 

‘’When I arrive at the rink, I go upstairs to the balcony that overlooks the Olympic Oval, and I sit there with my teammate, Charles Pigeon ‘26, and we take in the view. We just think about how grateful we are to play at a place like the Olympic center. Then I go downstairs, change and tape my stick, and then I’ll usually just mess around for 30-40 minutes before we have our team warm up. I love to dominate and get my body dialed in the Ball Game that the team plays before our warmup. After warmups, I sprint around the 1980 rink with Ryan Racine ‘25. I then sit down on the same chair as always, number 11, to do breathing exercise and get my mind locked in. I follow it up by doing 9 push-ups with Charles and hit a crazy loud handshake. I hop in the locker room and get geared up for the big game.’’ 

This is part of a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.

Owen MacLean ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Everyone who plays hockey can agree that goalies are often some of the weirdest or most superstitious people in a locker room. A lot of times, goalies are in their own world and have unique pregame routines. Owen MacLean ‘26, one of the Northwood Prep team’s goalies, is actually one of these routine-oriented goalies.

“I don’t consider myself superstitious, more routine-oriented,” Owen Maclean said. Owen doesn’t have many weird superstitions, like doing his left skate first or eating the same thing 2 hours before a game. Owen has incorporated a little bit of variability into his routine while keeping what works steady at the same time.

Some of the biggest parts of Owen’s routine include doing the same stretching, mobility, and band work 90 minutes before puck drop. “I found this to be the best way to prepare my body, especially hips and hamstrings, for games,” MacLean mentioned when asked why this piece is crucial to him. MacLean also said that he has been doing this since his U14 year, so this has been constant for about three years now.

Owen will participate in team soccer and dynamic stretches after he is done with his routines. One of his favorite pregame parts is kicking the soccer ball around for about 20 minutes. When all that is done, Maclean tries to kill some time, focus on the game, and begin visualizing what the game will consist of.

“I don’t like sitting in my gear for too long before the game, it makes me feel a little tired once the game starts,” Maclean said while explaining the final part of the routine. Owen delays getting his equipment on until 15-20 minutes before he takes the ice. This way, he doesn’t have to sit around waiting, and his body will be ready and awake when it is time to go.

Max Notley ’27. Photo provided.

This is part of a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.

On any given morning, while everyone else is asleep, you can expect to find U17 team captain Max Notley ’27 on the field or the turf. The American-Brit winger is a sophomore, who is in his second year at Northwood. He enjoyed a little taste of success last year, playing a smaller role. However, this year, he will be a vital piece for the team’s success. I sat down with him to learn about how he prepares himself for games.

“When I wake up, I’ll eat a good, heavy breakfast. Then I’ll prep my stuff for the game. And then I’ll continue my prep, stretching, getting my mind right, that sort of stuff.”

Max has a rigid pre-game routine. “I listen to music on the bus ride to games, usually English rap. While on the bus and even before I get on the bus, I start visualizing my game, picturing myself out on the wing, receiving passes into my feet, taking people on.”

The hardworking prospect feels that he is doing the right things but isn’t quite at the level that he would like to be. “I work very hard and will continue to do so, you know, getting up early and doing the extra stuff. I feel I am disciplined and have a good work ethic. So, I think I’m doing all the right things, but I’m not at the level I want to be at just yet.”

Max also shared some interesting advice that he would give to student-athletes. “Be in the moment. Because one day, there won’t be any more team meals or bus rides back to school after a win. So embrace it all, soak it in, and don’t take anything for granted. Give 100% every day. The last thing I’d say is to love what you’re doing, whatever your passion is, give it your all.

He also shared that “everyone is on their own path. Don’t worry about comparing yourself to others because comparison is the thief of joy. It’s only a matter of time before your dreams come true.

Said El Eyssami ‘26 in action at home in 2023. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

This is the second in a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.

This week, we meet soccer star Said El Eyssami ‘26. He shares his gameday prep and some interesting bits of information, insight, and advice. El Eyssami has earned the respect and admiration of his teammates and coaches through his work ethic and mentality. This article gives an inside look at his routines and thoughts.

The striker doesn’t have a structured routine like some athletes profiled in this series. He keeps his routine short but meaningful. El Eyssami doesn’t have a favorite meal on gameday. “I mean, obviously always something healthy, nothing too heavy; I like to be light before the game.”

Like most athletes, he does stretching and mobility work before a game. That’s where his routine differs from many of his teammates. “Something I always do before the game is I call my parents. I talk to them; it relaxes me. And I always pray before every game.” If you attend one of the games, you can see just before he steps onto the pitch, Said stands on the line and does his prayer, then after a deep breath, he jogs on.

The Panamanian sophomore’s favorite player is a legendary Argentinian. “I don’t compare myself to him but I enjoy seeing Maradona. He is my favorite player of all time. I try to have his personality and mimic his style of football.”

Here is the hard-working footballer’s advice for everyone: “Stay determined. Because it’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to be pretty at all times. So, when times are tough, you can’t just give up. That’s when you need to put in double the effort you’ve been putting in. So, yes, Keep going and be determined.”

The soccer star knows his strengths and weaknesses off the pitch. “I’m very likable at times. And, I’m also not likeable at times, and I know that. But I can say I’m a funny guy. I’m a funny guy to be around.”

What are we going to see from Said in the second half of this year? Only time will tell, but here’s what he assures us: “You will see a lot of motivation, not only for me, but for my teammates. You will see it in my face, there will be a lot of “Ganas” [desire].