Multi-Sport Athletes 
​Lauren Render 

    In high school, students are in many extraocular activities, one of them being sports. High school students have the option to play two sports if they choose to. Many students who attend Hillgrove High School play more than one sport a year. Usually they will play one in each season, fall, winter, and spring. It is very common for high schoolers to play two sports, but unlikely for them to play three, although it has been done. Some say that it can be stressful, that it takes up most of their free time on the weekends, and even when they get home from school. Others will say they do not mind playing two sports, that they do not think of it as a stressful thing.  
    Lacey Carder, a 10th grader at Hillgrove, High School talked to me about the struggle of being a multi-sport athlete, but she also believes that in the end it will pay off and that she encourages people to play multiple sports. “It's really difficult especially playing two sports, but most of the time I just try, whatever spare time I have in school or in class I just try and get as much homework done so that I can go to bed earlier after I have practice.” People hear sports can be a big of a commitment. “Yes, sometimes I have to miss hanging out with my friends to go to practice, but it will all be worth it.” Lacey believes playing more than one sport will benefit you. “Yes, I believe they should, it um helps you be well rounded up as an athlete and it can help you get into colleges.”  
    Audrey Vaughan, another student at Hillgrove High School, agrees that playing multiple sports is a positive thing, and helps you become something bigger. “I play cheer and tennis.” A big thing in playing multiple sports is which one the student likes more. “Um, I probably like tennis because tennis is more of a sport, like cheer is only an activity that I do, and tennis is more like a physical sport.” Sports are very different and can challenge an athlete to become a better player. “Tennis because it's harder and I haven’t been playing as long so it pushes me more.” Being a multi-sport athlete will change someone for the better. “Yes, it has taught me about responsibility and time management.”  
    Multi-sport athletes deal with a lot, it can be stressful with school and balancing their time. They can miss out on fun activities or hanging out with their friends on the weekend because they have practice, but it can also benefit them. Playing two sports can help a student-athlete with getting into a good college. It shows that they can manage their time and that they are responsible. As proven can see above, it is encouraged to play more than one sport.