Student-athletes tackle responsibilities
Student-athletes have to be on the ball in more ways than one: they must balance their classes, sports, and other responsibilities they have.
To be able to participate in sports, students must be able to keep up performance in both school and their sports. They have to have a 2.0 GPA to be able to be able to play sports. Many athletes have learned how to juggle both stressors and succeed in both.
Southwest Athletic Director Ruben Valenzuela said finding a balance is important because there is a requirement of eligibility to be a student-athlete.
Valenzuela said being in sports helps students learn life skills such as leadership, commitment, and responsibility.
“Sports are a way for a student to have a fulfilling and positive high school experience,” Valenzuela said.
Valenzuela said he has noticed that many students stay after school and seek academic help between school and practice. There are resources, such as tutoring through the ARC program or the tutoring schedule provided by the teachers to get the help needed to maintain academics.
Parents, students, coaches, and teachers have to be in constant communication to help students keep up with their performance in both class and their sport.
Brianna Mackey, an offensive starter for the varsity flag football team, said she has learned that she has to prioritize school first above sports.
“Even though one is above the other, they get enough attention and time dedication in order for me to be successful in both areas,” Mackey said.
Mackey talked about how she likes being able to create more friendships among her teammates, and it keeps her active. But it also can get stressful and tiring.
Anabella Lindberg is a varsity volleyball player who is in many advanced classes and the Associated Student Body (ASB). She said she has learned to manage her time and uses her free time to her advantage.
“During class, instead of going on my phone I try getting my assignments done so I can have time to focus in practice without having the worry of schoolwork,” Lindberg said.
Lindberg said being a student-athlete in ASB has helped her manage her time and has taught her to be more organized. However, it does come at a cost as she is sometimes up late because of assignments after getting back from practices or events.
Danielle Ostermann is not only a swimmer for the Southwest swim team, but also a yearround swimmer for the Sea to Desert Swim Association (SDSA). She said she powers through to keep up with school and swim performance.
“A lot of times I just have to put my head down and get things done even when I don’t want to,” Ostermann said. “Sometimes it means making sacrifices, but it means I am able to dedicate time to school and swim.”
Ostermann has found that, with enough determination and perseverance, she can excel in both aspects of her life and make it more manageable for herself.
Being a student-athlete means having a double responsibility of being able to manage both school and the sport, in which the athletes find their own ways to be able to do so.
And as Ruben Valenzuela said, the “student” in “student-athlete” comes first for a reason.