Student athletes push their bodies to the extreme levels that most people wouldn’t think of, especially for one sport. But for those who play for two or more teams, they push themselves year-round.
“I am playing basketball and track so you have to have a very different mind-set in transitioning from one sport to another,” freshman, Duff Hammer said.
The effect of the year-round exercise is the beating one’s body endures.
Junior Sydney Johnson recognizes the struggle that comes with being a two-sport athlete.
“Playing two sports definitely takes a toll on your body,” junior Sydney Johnson said.
“By going from sport to sport, I don’t really get much of a break for my body to recover with practice every day and games two to three times a week.”
The grind is alive and well for these scholar-athletes.
Balancing AP classes, schoolwork, and the rigorous schedule for workouts, practices and games can be a daunting task. It’s recognized by everyone who plays more than one sport during the length of the school year.
“At meets which can last four hours, I will bring a textbook or two and get some homework done. I have been able to keep a healthy academic and athletic balance all four years,” senior, Laura Jones said.
Sophomore, Bobby Gough, who plays both baseball and basketball, recognizes as well the challenges and positive consequences that comes with it much like Jones did.
“Playing two sports helps me stay in shape. I wanted to continue playing both because I couldn’t decide which one I liked more,” Gough said.
Playing two sports makes you become teammates with two teams worth of players, something Gough recognizes.
“It helps me adapt to real life situations and meet new people within the sport,” Gough said.
Hard work and dedication can dictate the success of making and doing well in two varsity sports.
Keeping your body in shape year-round is no easy task, according to these athletes.
“If you take care of your body the right way, it won’t really have an effect on yourself. But it’s not the same for everyone else,” junior Dexter Brown said.
The hard work and determination to succeed in multiple sports drive these athletes, and it is nothing unwanted.
Jacob Robinson
Jones, Brown, and Johnson all choose to pursue both sports based on their athleticism, love and drive for these sports.
“Both Track and Cross Country are as hard as you want to make them. Your successes achieved in the season depends solely on the effort you are will-ing to put forth at practice and in the off-season,” Jones said.