With the support of those around them and resilience within, student athletes chase opportunity, proving they belong at the next level, regardless of the pressure they face.
As one prepares for his junior season at Sierra College, the other has his eyes set on joining the football program for his freshman season in the fall.
With the weight of expectations, determination, and a mentality built on self-belief, both athletes strive for excellence on and off the field.
Josiah Melendez is a quarterback for Woodcreek High School, committed to Sierra College and Ryan Eisert is a current kicker on the Team. What’s it like to be a college student athlete?
A Silent Battle
Student athletes live a dual life with academics and athletics. Balancing school work, training or being in season, and also having a personal life can be demanding.
As athletes’ performance may bring attention, their mental health is critical. It influences how they handle pressure, being overlooked, coming back from setbacks, and striving for balance in their life.
Mental issues such as anxiety and burnout can be driving factors to a declining well being of a student athlete.
For many athletes, a strong belief system is what keeps their engine running after they leave the field or the classroom. This can be internal, or from the support around them.
Mental strength is a defining factor in student athletes and often makes or breaks them. The ambition to strive for greatness in all aspects of life comes down to taking care of the mental side as much as getting that extra rep in during training, or studying that extra hour for a test.
New Beginnings
Quarterback Josiah Melendez, currently committed to Sierra College, marks a new stepping stone on his football journey he has believed in ever since a kid. His start of his collegiate career represents a new beginning shaped through community, constant support of his family and the
mentality of an underdog.
Though having that underdog mentality and being overlooked is known to the quarterback, he led the Woodcreek Timberwolves this past season to their first Section Championship. This is the furthest they have gone in school history and he was a driving forces behind the Timberwolves’ success.
Throughout the whole season I was able to document this team’s success and see first hand experience of Melendez’ leadership. From a summer 7 on 7 tournament before the 2025 season, I could already see the determination and faith Melendez had for his team. This eventually led them to greater success.
For Melendez, he is not just defined by the wins and milestones, but through his mindset he has carried throughout his football journey. He said, “If I feel overlooked, it drives me to be better. The community around me has encouraged me to try my best as well.”
Melendez’ commitment to Sierra fuels his desire to prove all the schools that brushed him off and overlooked him, wrong.
Continued Grind
On the other side, Ryan Eisert’s journey looks a little different.
Instead of riding high into the next level, Eisert suffered a torn quad in his kicking leg during an All Star game.
This injury was a recurring challenge throughout that whole off-season after high school. It never healed his whole freshman season leaving him to sit out his first year of college ball. He said, “It was hard for me mentally, I had to sit out and not play all season.”
Still, Eisert used this setback for a bigger comeback. During his downtime he decided to improve himself through better eating habits and constant rehab.
When he was feeling better, he went to Dynamic Training in Rocklin to improve his speed and strength. With these efforts, Eisert turned into a whole different athlete and came back ready for the next season.
Eisert believes that playing for Sierra has everybody being overlooked and underestimated. He believes that going the JUCO route is like a second chance for athletes who are looking to prove those who’ve overlooked them wrong. It gives them an opportunity and a chance to play at the next level.
Steady through the Storm
Mental Control is a huge factor for Student athletes, especially in high pressure moments like making a clutch kick to tie the game or finishing your 100 point assignment before the 11:59 deadline. Eisert said, “I try not to think that much before a big time kick. I know I need to go out there and treat it like any other kick— Kickers are born to live under pressure.”
That special ability is not just in your brain, it is built through repetition, routine and self belief. If it’s blocking out the noise from the crowd, or having a short term memory after a mistake, it is important to have that mental discipline as much as it is to have the skill to kick a 60 yard field goal. Eisert said, “I have coaches who trust me and I have my teammates there to support me, make or miss.”
Melendez takes an approach to find balance between academics and athletics that helps him prepare for the pressure he’s up against. He said, “I tend to stay calm and not change my mindset or emotions… and do what I have to do to the best of my ability.”
Maintaining this control keeps Melendez level-headed through academic or on-field challenges. His ability to stay steady when things can get out of control leads him to stay consistent in his performance. Instead of letting his mind take over, he stays grounded before the storm. His mental control is just as important as his talent.
Rooted in Self
Beyond the student athlete aspect of their life, having an identity outside of it is a key factor. Stepping away from the field or the classroom allows these individuals to recognize the other aspects of their life who make them who they are. Melendez said:
“Me as a person comes from the community I am a part of, such as my family and friends.”
Having a grounded foundation and support system is key for these student athletes. It helps them live a more balanced life, so their performances don’t consume them.
In Eisert’s view, “Being a student athlete is just one part of who you are, not the entirety of your identity.” He continued, “You can separate it from yourself by exploring interests outside sports and academics, focusing on your core values like kindness and curiosity and reflecting on who you are when you’re not competing or studying. [You can] celebrate effort of personal growth rather than just outcomes that remind yourself that what you’re worth isn’t defined by your roles or achievements.”
These two are more than just football players, they are individuals. They are navigating through life as they balance responsibilities, relationships, personal growth and so much more that we may not see. Either way, football and academics is just a small part of who they will become.
The Path Ahead
For both athletes and all whom this may concern, performances off and on the field are deeply tied to factors that go unseen.
Behind the scenes, mental health is a factor amongst athletes and it is important that light is shed upon it. These athletes are more than just what we see on the field, they have other aspects of their life that define who they are.
There is still a stigma amongst athletes around mental health. Many push through their training, in-season battles, and off-season demands as they are battling within. They are expected to be tough at all times and can view speaking out about their mental health as a weakness. However, strength can be seen as the courage to seek the help you need.
Eisert said, “Many athletes can relate to this, but the reality is that asking for help is one of the best things you can do. There are people who want to support you and help you become your best self.”
Their success is through their ability to stay rooted within themselves with self-belief and resilience to battle the mental challenges they may come.
In the end, mental health is their foundation. It sets them up to finish after the whistle, carrying their purpose. They have a strong support system around them and a sense of self-worth that will go a long way to becoming more than just a student athlete but a complete individual.
If you are struggling or know anyone who is struggling with mental health, know that you are not alone in this battle. As an athlete or any other individual you are far more than the labels and thoughts that may be placed upon you. Reach out to the people around you, open up, and lean on those who are here for you.
*Editor’s note: Mental health support is available for Sierra College students through Counseling, the Basic Needs Center, and through various programs, reach out to get connected.
Photographed, Reported, and Written by Micah Torres
