When it comes to student-athletes in high school, many categorize people either as multi-sport or one-sport athletes. Balancing academics with athletics is key, whether a student is participating in multiple sports or focuses on only one. Managing time well and staying organized is essential for juggling both school and sports.
According to Coach Guenther, the former football coach, “If you want to be the best athlete you can be, become a multi-sport athlete.” While student-athletes may find it challenging to balance multiple sports, whether it’s two or three, developing strong time management skills can be beneficial. Being aware of what’s next on your schedule and staying organized in school can significantly enhance your performance in the future.
Shasta Polanco, a student-athlete from Wilsonville High School, is a multi-sport athlete. “Navigating school and my sports definitely was a struggle for me, but learning how to manage my time was a must-do to help me continue my sports and perform better in school, coaches helped us be on top of that as well.” In the end, having a schedule and knowing what’s next is for sure a big thing to have when doing sports and school.
On the other hand, being a one-sport athlete can make time management easier, but it might also lead to lower grades at times. “I’ve spoken to many fall sport athletes, and they often mention that after their season ends, they struggle to stay on top of their academic responsibilities in the following semester,” says Shae Moomaw, a one-sport athlete.
Also, while one-sport athletes perform typically at high levels in their specialty areas, multi-sport athletes learn to use a variety of muscles, enhance their bodies as a whole, and collaborate within different competitive settings. Still, it can be challenging to play on various sports teams throughout high school and progress evenly across the grid.
Wilsonville has built a renowned athletic program, known to involve talented athletes from all around the area. While also inclusive, it can be difficult to compete for Varsity-level spots when many students play club seasons year-round for their chosen sport.
Playing multiple sports has its pros and cons compared to focusing on just one sport. Being involved in different activities can help athletes build more skills and avoid burnout. On the other hand, handling multiple sports can also create more stress and take up a lot of time.
The beauty of high school sports is that students don’t need to have their athletic futures planned to still participate and experience team comradery and friendly, yet adrenaline-enticing activity. With over four sports offered each season, there could be something out there for everybody.