News Detail
Multi-Sport Athletes Speak Up
A look through the eyes of our athletes.
Justin-Siena is a Division 4 school in the North Coast Section (NCS) in terms of classification for playoff competition. Typically, with some exceptions, Division 4 schools have an enrollment between 500 and 900 students, approximately. In our league, the Vine Valley Athletic League, teams are in Division 3, 2, and 1, with JS being the only one that falls in Division 4. What does this mean? First off, it means that our kids are doing an incredible job as we not only hold our own, but win more than we lose in the league, including a number of VVAL championships in the first 2 years of the league. Secondly, it means that a number of our students must play multiple sports to support the multitude of sports that we compete in. These athletes must not only spend the time at practices in multiple seasons, but they must balance their off season priorities, their studies, and their social time as they spend a good deal of time working at their craft.
In support of the multi-sport athlete, our Water Polo and Boys Lacrosse teams have really bought into the spirit with a deal they made this past Summer. The Sophomore boys from water polo made a deal with their lacrosse friends--that they would play lacrosse if the lacrosse players joined the water polo team. So in the spirit of trying something new, both teams benefitted! We love the spirit that these teams have.
We spoke with several of our multi-sport athletes for this story, asking them a series of questions in terms of their experience in multiple sports at Justin-Siena. Below are questions along with selected answers from each for each question. Thank you in advance to the following athletes who participated in this interview- Karolina Wells (basketball and lacrosse), Eleanor Meyers (volleyball and softball), Liam McDevitt (basketball and track), Blake Hoban (football and track), Claire Sullivan (Cheer, Comedy Sportz, and Track), and Aidan Cushing (football, basketball, and lacrosse).
Q: What has been the most challenging aspect of playing multiple sports, as well as the most rewarding?
Sullivan- Having long days for the majority of the year, when I don’t get home until 7:00pm, is hard because I always feel drained. Also finding time to do homework can be difficult because I also need time for non-school activities. It has been rewarding to be a part of several communities on campus.
Cushing- The most challenging aspect of playing multiple sports at Justin-Siena is time management. It’s hard balancing your time and finding time for your sport, your homework, your friends, and your family. But, I like to look at it from the point of view that this part of playing 3 sports is also my most rewarding in the sense that this is a lesson that I have learned and will continue to take my good time management skills with me as I move on from Justin-Siena into college and then even into the real world. I will never forget this lesson.
Hoban- The most challenging thing about being a multi sport athlete is the constant training and dedication you have to improve and succeed in that sport to make an impact. A lot of the year I would be at Justin from 7:30am to 7:00pm. However, the most rewarding part of all that is the success that comes with hard work. Winning games and races really motivate me to keep going and helps me know the work is paying off.
McDevitt- The most challenging aspect has been managing the time commitments that athletics require with the rigorous academic course load that I have taken. Meeting new people and discovering unknown talents have been the two most rewarding aspects of competing in multiple sports.
Q: How has it been with your coaches of your sports in terms of being willing to accept that you play another sport?
Meyers- I feel a great sense of responsibility as a multi-sport athlete. I know it is up to me to stay focused and dependable to each and every team, so as long as I am prepared and up front with them, my coaches have been very supportive of my extracurricular activities. In the fall, when I begin to adjust to the new school year, my volleyball coaches are supportive. I think the key to trust is keeping up each person’s end of the bargain, so if I miss a practice, I know I’m expected to work twice as hard at the next practice to get back on track. As long as I continue to put in effort, my coaches are understanding and considerate.
Wells- Both of my coaches encourage me to play other sports to keep in shape so I can be prepared for the upcoming season. I just have to try to not get hurt, and if you know me, that is tough to do.
McDevitt- I have never had a conflict with the coaches of my different teams regarding my competition in 2 sports. In fact, I would say that my coaches have encouraged taking on another sport in order to stay in shape throughout the year.
Hoban- The coaches are very supportive in the other sports I do because they feel like the other sport will help with the sport I am in.
Cushing- Honestly, sometimes it is difficult. You have to make some choices that are going to upset one of your coaches. It is all about priorities. If you sit down and have a talk with your coach about it and say that a certain sport is your number one priority and that you might miss a couple of practices because of it, then I am sure he or she will be more than willing to work around it. Most of our coaches are very understanding as long as you make sure to talk to them ahead of time.
Q: How have you managed your time?
Sullivan- I make sure to use my community periods wisely and turn things in on time because it keeps me from being overwhelmed with work.
Meyers- I believe that everything in life relies on time management, and as silly as it sounds, I get a kick out of planning my week ahead of time and making sure everything is set and best prepared for success. It took quite the learning curve at the beginning of freshman year to realize how to utilize time after school and in between classes. Sometimes it helps to have my friends with me to assist with homework, but other days having lots of people around when I attempt to study is unproductive, so one of the values I try to remember is knowing what will be best for my work ethic in the moment. I put food and sleep as high priorities. I do my best to put away my phone or free reading book so there are little to no distractions.
Wells- I have started doing homework when I can and planning a few weeks ahead of time so that I can be prepared. If there is a big test coming up, I usually go visit my teachers at lunch or community and get the help I need.
Hoban- Time management was probably the most difficult part my Freshman year, but over time you learn ways and time to get your work done because without doing well in school and making academics your number one priority, playing sports doesn’t happen.
Q: Any advice for students who are thinking about playing another sport?
Cushing: My advice is that if you are interested in another sport, your grades are good, and you aren’t overwhelmed with life, then try it. There’s nothing wrong in trying a new sport unless it affects your grades or your mental health. So in my opinion I’d say do as much as you can possibly do without damaging other aspects that are more important in the long run.
Hoban: Don’t be scared if you don’t think it's your sport and that you won’t be good at it because you truly never know until you try it and if you enjoy it, all the work will pay off and it will be something you remember for the rest of your life, so just go out and try something new.
McDevitt- Fully invest in both. Do not simply look at one sport as a means to improve your abilities in the other. Instead, compete with your full effort and try to win in both at all times.
Meyers- As a multi-sport athlete, my best advice is to follow a passion as far as it will take you. If you are an avid ping-pong player, and you know playing it makes you happy, don’t be afraid to pursue it. And if you find out that sport isn’t your cup of tea, you can always try something new next time. I am very grateful for my volleyball and softball teammates, so even if I’m exhausted by the end of the day, it is worth it to me that I am involved in a Justin-Siena family of strong and auspicious athletes. It takes patience, but time management becomes more facile as the months pass. I recommend playing sports if you’d like to enhance your physical and mental strength, as well as meet new people and learn more about yourself as a person. If I’ve learned one thing from playing multiple sports at Justin-Siena, it is that you are given the opportunity to really experience high school in the best way possible.
Sullivan- Try to do sports that don’t start back to back because it is important to take time for yourself and you will enjoy the next sport more if you have a break in-between.
Wells- The little piece of advice I would give is give everything a shot and immerse yourself wherever you can because before you know it, it’s gone. I remember not wanting to play basketball coming into my freshman year of high school and I am so glad I took that chance. I have made such good memories and I know I would have greatly regretted not playing.
Justin-Siena High School
Justin-Siena is a Lasallian Catholic college preparatory community that serves young people in grades 9–12.