Jello, It’s What’s for Halftime
Nectar? Not for these Hornets.
When you think of jello and soccer, you probably think of an after-game snack for 8-year-olds accompanied by Capri Suns and orange slices at the end of a tunnel of chattering soccer moms. You would probably not think of Division I collegiate soccer, and considering that soccer is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Why would you? Surely, these athletes must have better choices for game day fuel.
Nope. In fact, the Sacramento State men’s soccer team has had Jell-O at half-time every game this season. The teams fitness coach Josh Jirgal told me that Jell-O contains gelatin, which is basically cooked collagen. Collagen contains the amino acids glycerin and proline, which help you body rebuild the tissue in your joints. Collagen also improves cognitive ability and is loaded with protein, providing the body with the fuel it needs for another forty five minutes of soccer. He estimated that about three quarters of the team slurped one down on a game to game basis while the others apparently didn’t like the healthy joints and cat like reflexes the Jell-O provided.
“The only way I’d like them more is if they were Jell-O shots!” said starting right back senior Cylus Sandoval. A star player for the Hornets, he was known to have cramps towards the end of games in previous seasons. “This year, between Pedialyte before the game, and Jell-O at halftime, I’ve been able to last all 90 and into extra time when need be. It’s funny that such a small change has made such a big difference for me.”
Sandoval isn’t the only one who has benefited from the snack. The Hornets started this year with 10 freshmen. Preseason polls had them ranked last in the Big West Conference. Throughout the duration of the season however, they proved to be no joke, making the playoffs with five of their wins coming from goals deep into the second half when both teams were at peak fatigue. What made the difference? Maybe Jell-O, maybe not… it definitely didn’t hurt.
