According to a Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) survey, about 45% of high school student-athletes in the United States played more than one sport during the 2022-2023 school year.
Playing more than one sport develops different muscles, skills, and ways of thinking. It also adds variety to your schedule, making burnout less likely and exposing you to different people.
Because any sport requires commitment and time, multi-sport athletes usually struggle with juggling homework, studying for exams, and participating in extracurricular activities. This requires dedication and organization if an athlete wants to succeed.
“’I just take it day by day, wake up, go to school, go to practice. It’s being patient with yourself,” said Peyton Graham (11), who plays both soccer and flag football.
Aleena Ali (12), who does track, soccer, lacrosse, and flag football, is busy year-round, but she knows how to manage the high workload of school and sports.
“You have to make sacrifices, but it gets easier as you get used to it. It’s definitely stressful at times, but I enjoy doing a lot, so it’s fun for me,” said Ali.
When it comes to managing school and playing multiple sports, multi-sport athletes need to set their priorities straight and be responsible.
“I just have to manage my time wisely. I try to do all of my homework at school so when I go to practice, I don’t have any when I get home,” said Natalie Chen (10), who plays soccer, lacrosse, and flag football.
While playing multiple sports can be tedious, the skills one learns for one sport can translate success into another.
“Whether it’s in soccer, like cutting, I do the same things in lacrosse and flag football. Getting more exercise has helped me develop stamina for soccer games. It teaches me to persevere through myself, so I like how I am able to do both,” said Ali.
Juggling multiple sports can get overwhelming. Students need to be able to realize when there is too much on their plate so that they can enjoy their high school experience. They also must plan accordingly to be successful.
“I make a schedule because I like to know what’s ahead of me in the week. It’s hard, but I like being busy, so it keeps me on track,” said Ava De Filippo (11), who competes in flag football, soccer, and track.
Playing multiple sports also provides great social outlets and ways to meet new people. It teaches individuals how to work with others, which is an extremely important skill to have.
“You get to meet different people, and you are able to work with other people,” said Graham.
Sports are supposed to be enjoyable and a way to escape from school and life stressors. While multi-sport student athletes should take their sports seriously and work their hardest at them, having fun is also important.
“Just have fun. I feel like that’s the most important part. You shouldn’t be stressing yourself out all the time,” said Chen.
Visit the SJHHS Calender to see what sporting events are happening every week! Support your fellow Stallions by attending every game that you are able to!
