Tyler Stark is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Notre Dame Preparatory High School for AZPreps365.com

SCOTTSDALE — For many of Notre Dame Prep’s standout athletes this year, success wasn’t built on talent alone. It was shaped in the quiet moments after setbacks, in the mental battles that happen away from the scoreboard.

Across sports, athletes have faced a common challenge: learning how to stay composed when things get tough.

For senior golfer Landon Ashcraft, that challenge began to define his game.

“Last May, my mental game was at an all-time low,” Ashcraft said. “I knew my game was in a good spot, but mentally, I just couldn’t compete.”

Ashcraft said his key to fixing this slump was working with a mental coach, shifting gears to a round-by-round approach.

“Ever since then, my game has been the best it’s ever been,” Ashcraft  said. 

Notre Dame Prep golf coach Scott Watkins said mental preparation has become a major point of emphasis within his program. 

“I have a great friend and phenomenal sports psychologist, Debbie Crews, that for a few years would come in and talk to the guys,” Watkins said. “They finally got the message and at least half of the team started seeing her for their mental game during the summer and into the season. I believe she had a great impact on their mental games.” 

Ashcraft’s struggles reflect a much broader trend in modern day athletics. According to a 2024 International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology study, Jacob Hufton and colleages found that athletes who develop mental skills such as focus, an ability to control emotions, and resilience often see strong results in high pressure moments. Sports physiology has become a strong tool for athletes looking to improve confidence and improve consistency.

According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, mental performance training as well as mental health resources have become a growing trend inside of competitive athletics as athletic programs invest more in development extending beyond physical training. 

The mental side of the game became extremely prevalent in what-was one of the biggest moments of Ashcraft’s career. Ashcraft found himself in an all-out rubber match in the final round of the state championship.

“I knew my buddy Fred [Egnatios] was going to come out and shoot a low round,” Ashcraft said. “By hole 10, we were tied.”

Instead of pressing,  Ashcraft stayed poised.

“Finally, on hole 15, I made a birdie, and then on 17, I drove the green and made another birdie,” he said. “I parred the last hole to win the state championship.”

The ability to stay in the moment was not something that came naturally for him.

“When a round starts going sideways, the first thing I do is slow down and rethink my plan,” Ashcraft said. “One problem I used to have was walking too fast after a bad shot. That would get my heart rate up and lead to more mistakes.”

Now similar adjustments have become part of Ashcraft’s routine.

“Every round that doesn’t go your way is a great learning experience,” he said. “When you see a player stay calm while struggling, that’s when you see them bounce back.”

That same mindset has been showcased across Notre Dame Prep athletics this year. Senior shortstop Owen Boeding has had similar issues on the diamond this season. 

“Yeah, there was a rough patch last season where nothing clicked,” Boeding said. “Mentally, it messes with your head big time.”

For Boeding, the challenge extended beyond anything physical; it involved him getting out of his own way.

“Slumps are way more mental than physical,” he said. “It’s all about getting out of your own way.”

Even in high-pressure moments, the approach remained the same.

“No moment felt too big,” Boeding said. “Just gotta breathe.”

Those experiences have reshaped the way Boeding views the game.

“Those tough moments taught me to have a short memory and stay present,” he said.

Baseball head coach Joseph Muecke said that mindset is what sets Boeding apart.

“What has impressed me most about Owen is his consistency and his willingness to show up every day ready to work,” Muecke said. “He prepares well, competes hard, and has really bought into the process.”

Similar to Boeding, Ashcraft faced adversity at the start of the year, but it was his response that really made him stand out.

“He stayed steady, kept showing up, and trusted the process,” Muecke said. “That ability to stay the course is a big part of why he’s been able to contribute.”

Beyond individual success, Boeding’s mindset has had an impact on his team.

“Owen is a great teammate,” Muecke said. “He puts the team first and brings good energy. The guys respect how he competes and how he carries himself.”

Across sports, there’s been a consistent message. Success extends far beyond talent; it comes down to how athletes behave when things don’t go as planned.

For Ashcraft and Boeding, that lesson has been a defining aspect of their seasons.

And for Notre Dame Prep athletics, it has been a foundation for growth.