With all the hectic schedules of high school, a select number of students have displayed discipline, motivation, and hard work as they chose to challenge themselves, doubling not one, but two sports at once on top of the rest of their responsibilities.
These athletes leave one practice, entering a quick turnover to make their way over to their next one. They can be putting in twelve hour days, leaving their house for school at around six-thirty in the morning, and not returning until six or later that night.
“Some nights I will not be home until eight-thirty at night, still needing to shower, eat dinner, and do all my homework,” said Avery DiGiovanna, member of Woodland’s Track and Field team while also currently playing soccer for the CT Rush Central club. “It gets a bit tiring, but I like to keep myself busy.”
As the captain of her club team, DiGiovanna faces additional pressure to give full effort and attention to her soccer team. Although balancing multiple sports may lead some athletes to feel overwhelmed or burn out, this is not an option for her. She constantly demonstrates her dedication and consistently gives her all to both teams.
A commonly asked question is why these athletes choose to take on such a demanding schedule. Many do so to maintain their athleticism preceding collegiate sports.
“I returned to Track to get myself in shape for all the fitness tests I have coming up this summer for soccer,” admitted Michaela Gasparri, member of the Track and Field team, CT Rush Select club, and soccer commit to Eastern Connecticut State University.
Gasparri has numerous responsibilities at the moment: school, sports, job, and social life. Despite these commitments, she prioritizes her future in soccer by putting in the necessary work now, allowing for a smoother transition into a more intense soccer career.
“I ran track and jumped my freshman year, and I honestly missed it,” said Gasparri, who had taken a two year break from track to focus on soccer. “I now realize I can balance both and I am glad to be back.”
Woodland’s Track team features a couple more collegiate athlete commits–Megan Hartnett and Kathleen Henriques.
“Our workouts and intense daily runs have definitely already improved my fitness, and we still have over a month left in the season,” said Hartnett, Track and Field athlete, member of CT Rush Select soccer club, and soccer commit to Western New England University.
“Doing both is definitely difficult, but is also beneficial for my upcoming soccer season,” said Henriques, track athlete, member of CT Rush Select soccer club, and soccer commit to the University of St. Joesphs.
While balancing two sports at once is demanding and fulfilling, these athletes do not allow it to be their entire personality. They are also incredible students, and maintain having a job.
“I do not have much free time at all, but I try to work at least every Saturday for six or seven hours,” said DiGiovanna, Cross Pointe employee.
DiGiovanna tries to keep her Saturday nights free in order to sustain her social life, but having a job in high school is important to her to teach independence and money management.
Although this lifestyle may appear demanding and challenging, a select group of Woodland students manage to commit themselves to consistent hard work. These students prioritize their athletic development, responsibility, and futures, successfully balancing their responsibilities outside of school.
