Celebrating reflects the human emotion

In response to the Nov. 28 letter about Iowa high school volleyball players (“Excessive celebration not good sportsmanship,” Nov. 28):

Have you ever been to a volleyball game? Before the match begins, both teams wish each other “good luck” with a handshake. Each member of every team congratulates her fellow teammates when they score a point or have a great volley, and likewise give a reassuring pat on the back or “shake it off” if they miss a ball or hit it out of bounds. These girls are excited for a win and saddened by a loss, just as any sports team would be. Their coaches, families and fellow students feel the same way. At the end of a match, both teams again, shake hands and say “good game.”

Do you feel the same when you see football players, cross-country runners, swimmers and other sports players do the exact same thing on television or in the newspaper?

Most young high school players work hard both on and off their playing field. Many have jobs as well as participate in multiple sports, music, speech, dance, drama, church and so many other activities. Most are respectful of their peers and do their best at being responsible young adults.

Celebrating a victory or crying over defeat is a human emotion for anyone. With so much chaos and sadness in the world, is it so wrong to celebrate what they consider to be huge accomplishment in their young lives?

Kris Thole

Manchester