Super M-Stars

Together, these twelve students represent St. John’s Athletics in football, cross country, field hockey, volleyball, wrestling, basketball, soccer, track & field, lacrosse, and tennis.  They have a passion to compete and find that the support of a team creates more than enough fuel to endure the work required to balance school and sports. And once they found their groove, these Maverick “Swiss Army Knives” started to function with greater efficiency and precision.

“I play three sports because it keeps me in a routine,” said Ishan Sha (cross country/wrestling/track & field). “It keeps me disciplined and managing my time. I used to take the spring season off, and found that I like being busier, I like training and keeping myself healthy, and I love competing. I love my teams and have found comfort in having three different groups of people to go to when I need them. Each team is very unique and I love all three, so I am glad I can call myself a part of each of them.” 

“I love the team aspect of each sport and how taking part in the team makes you feel as if you are a part of something much greater than yourself,” said Drake Meiss (football/basketball/lacrosse).

These students dedicate a lot of time to their athletic endeavors. While challenging at first, they have made adjustments to blend academic and athletic responsibilities. Their focus is consistent in both arenas.

“It was hard to balance sports practices and games on top of school work, but I was able to get advice from my teachers and coaches and take advantage of built-in free time during school, said Kate Ainbinder (field hockey/soccer/lacrosse). “I have learned great time management skills and feel comfortable working under pressure.”

Playing three sports not only sets boundaries with the overall discipline of time and organization, but each sport also provides physical and mental training benefits for the other two. Ultimately, the team structure fosters individual improvement in fitness, tactics, and technique.

“Each sport helps me stay in shape for the next,” said Julia Jones (cross country/soccer/track & field).

“Cross-country sets my endurance rate very high for the soccer season, and soccer season is perfect for getting my legs more prepared for sprinting in the track season,” said Catie Beck (cross country/soccer/track & field).

 

According to Will Leger (football/basketball/track & field), “track & field helps me with my speed, strength, and my jumping ability, football helps me with strength and conditioning, and basketball helps me with my jumping ability as well as my conditioning.” 

 

“I think that each sport helps me become a better athlete in my speed and each aspect of my game,” said Lucas Desjardins (football/basketball/lacrosse). “Lacrosse helps me with my speed and endurance, football helps with my strength and toughness, and basketball my agility. If you combine all these things then you become a pretty good athlete most of the time.” 

 

While some students use an off-season to prepare for their next sport, the three-sport athlete only has the summer.  Nevertheless, these athletes have numerous advantages of cross-training while in-season. The competitive atmosphere of team practices and games sets up opportunities for top performances and a drive to excel. Techniques from one sport can transfer to another, and there is a sense of belonging or bonding within the team setting. They are training and competing at the same time. Their preparation is for now and the future. 

 

“Wrestling helps me a lot with football because I play on the line. In wrestling, I have to spend a lot of time working on my hand fighting, trying to get into an advantageous position,” said Jack Curtin (football/wrestling/lacrosse). “I do the same when I’m blocking someone in football.”

 

“I think the physicality of football and the technique of tackling by breaking down your steps and staying low to the ground apply to the other sports I play,” said Alec Jazaeri (football/soccer/lacrosse). “It’s extremely important in both soccer and lacrosse to have a good approach when defending a player, so breaking down steps and knowing how and when to commit your body to try to take the ball away applies to all the sports I play. I’m a pretty competitive person and sports give me a purpose and a routine to have fun, work hard, and bond with teammates.” 

 

The variety of sport experiences also enhances motivation and mental toughness, while providing opportunities to escape the stressors of school. 

 

“The change of pace every so often is nice,” said Eliza Holt (volleyball/basketball/lacrosse).  “I found that when I tried to play only one sport and just focus on that one I got bored. It was not quite as fun.” 

“In tennis and cross country there’s a very big mental part of the sport, so focusing on the mentality in either tennis or cross-country can help me develop the right mentality in the other,” said Katherine Johnston (cross country/basketball/tennis).

“I love the competition, and I love getting to spend time outside of classes with my friends and teammates from various grades,” said Ana Maria Rodriguez (volleyball/basketball/track). “It is also a great way for me to deal with the stress of school and have fun for 2+ hours every day after school and unwind. I love the energy and spirit that my teammates bring throughout every sports season, and see each of my sports as an integral aspect of who I am.” 

 

Not all students are motivated to put on the school uniform for three seasons.  Many cite not having the skill set to play certain school sports that are offered in a particular season. For some, club sports spill into other seasons. 

 

“I will say that the impact of club sports and the one-sport specialization caused by college recruiting has had the biggest impact on the number of multi-sport athletes,” said Athletic Director Vince Arduini. 

 

The number of St. John’s three-sport seniors has fluctuated in recent years.  Since 2016 it has gone from 12 to 3 to 9 to 4 and now back to 12. Looking at the findings from a handful of SPC schools, Trinity Valley reported 4 from the class of 2019, 6 from 2020 and averaged over 8 the previous four years.  Cistercian reported 1 three-sport athlete in 2019, down from an average of 10 or more in the past. According to St. Andrew’s, in the last three years they averaged 2-3 students, peaking with 9 in 2015. Casady listed 8 from the class of 2019 and 10 for this year.

 

While in a general decline, the senior three-sport athlete is not extinct. When students have the motivation to compete, the opportunities and paths to perform in a school environment are there for the taking.  These twelve students have created habits that work for them, and as a result, their teams are better for it. 

 

“The skillset, the competition, enthusiasm, and the team commitment that the multi-sport athlete brings to each sport is a plus for team leadership,” said Boys’ Tennis Head Coach Steve Gleaves. 

 

“Many times, three-sport athletes have a strong soccer IQ due to the transfer of knowledge from sport to sport,” said Girls’ Soccer Head Coach Erin Weirzba.  “In addition, three-sport athletes are extremely coachable, and rarely have overuse injuries.” 

 

The future is now for these twelve seniors. While competing in the moment, they are also preparing for what’s next. Their uniforms may change, but for these Super M-Stars of 2020, their will to play their best for the Mavericks is constant.  

 

Sam Chambers (football/soccer/lacrosse) - Athletic News