Making time for one sport is already difficult, but what about three or more? This is what seniors Emily Lin and Charlie Fry have managed to do throughout high school.
Lin has danced for 15 years, played tennis for 12, swam for 14, cheered for one year, and played basketball for 11 years. Fry has played football, basketball, and baseball since the first grade and has continued to play all of them each year of high school.
Lin loves every sport that she plays, but her favorites are dance and tennis. Dance is an escape for her and gives her peace and joy. It allows her to exercise in a different, more relaxing, form of athleticism. “Dance has forever been a constant for me,” says Lin. On the other hand, she loves the competitive and individual aspects of tennis. “It’s challenged my mental game and has taught me many lessons about myself,” Lin said. Fry enjoys every sport that he plays but football is his first choice. “You can’t beat the Friday night lights environment,” Fry said. He plays as a wide receiver and likes to watch both NFL and college football games for fun.
When it comes to balancing time with these sports, both athletes find it very difficult, but necessary to manage their time. “It’s definitely hard but I’ve done it for so long that it has become all I know,” Lin said. “I also learned it’s okay to cut back on sports to prioritize yourself and other aspects of life like friends, family, and school.”
There are hidden benefits to playing multiple sports too. Lin believes that the mental aspect of sports helps her to perform well with others. Techniques and footwork especially from dance help with her athleticism. Last, she has learned lifelong lessons from all of the teams she has been a part of. “I’ve also learned many things about being part of a team and the importance of being a good teammate,” said Lin. Fry believes that there are many benefits when it comes to playing multiple sports. “In addition to keeping me busy year-round, sports help keep me active, conditioned, and ready for the next sports season to start,” Fry said.
After high school, Lin plans to continue playing tennis through a club team at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She also hopes to find dance classes or clinics so that she can continue to improve her skills. Fry wants to play on club teams or intramurals in college as well. Depending on what college he goes to, he might walk on to the football team.
Both athletes agree that one of the most important parts of each sport is the community. “I also remind myself why I do so much, and it is because I enjoy each sport I play and the people I play with,” Lin said. “The greatest benefit in my opinion is the amount of friends I’ve made through all the sports,” Fry said.
