It is really hard to play any sports at Campolindo because the level of competition is among the best, and it is also time-consuming. It is even harder when you play multiple sports at Campolindo and have to balance them with school and a personal life. Many students embrace the challenge of competing in multiple sports. Alongside the challenges are also the rewards of being part of multiple teams at Campolindo.
Every student takes a different approach to their sport, and they use different strategies to be successful in both. While games and practices end after each season, there is still work put in for every sport during the off-season, including during the summer. Students have to decide where they would get the most benefit. Senior Henry Franklin, who plays football and track and field, has to choose between football weights and spring practices or track practices during the spring. “You could either go to football weights or go to track practice. And I just go to track practice because there are weights at track practice,” said Franklin.
During winter, junior Colby Webster had basketball practices that overlapped with baseball practices. Since it was during the basketball season, Webster chose to go to basketball practice. “It definitely impacted me, because having to jump right into the baseball season was definitely a challenge, and not having a lot of practice for the season,” he said.
Another challenge with playing multiple sports is the higher risk of injury. Junior Frankie Polichio, who plays football and baseball, has to struggle with the high toll of playing football and staying fresh for baseball season. “Coming off of football season, you will be banged up, but once you’re in the baseball season, there’s not really much that can happen,” said Polichio. Staying healthy becomes a constant priority, and any injury can have consequences across both sports seasons. Players are always trying to be available for their teams, so managing their injuries and the usual wear and tear becomes really important.
Even though the workload is heavy, playing multiple sports isn’t an impossible task. There are many benefits to being on varsity for multiple sports. Sports overlap and connect in many ways, so practicing one can help you get better in the other. Franklin said, “It helps you with the other one. If you play track, you become faster and more explosive on the football field.”
Playing multiple sports also provides social benefits. Webster said, “My favorite thing was just all the new people I met and all the connections that I made. And also, those sports are very fun.” Each team gave him a different circle of friends and new relationships with coaches and teammates. The variety kept sports fun rather than feeling like a grind. Polichio said something similar, “I enjoy the variety. Campo football has the culture to it and the strong team connection, and baseball, it’s the same way; we have our own traditions, and it’s just like different guys. It’s two different groups of us.” It gives Polichio multiple places to belong to, and he gets to meet different kinds of people by playing for two different teams.
Being a multi‑sport student‑athlete is far more than just filling every season with another jersey. Students learn to prioritize and leverage their activities as well as build multiple communities. Students develop resiliency while having to balance their lives and their athletic commitments. “A big balance was just making sure that I allocate time for school and time with friends so that I can have a balanced life,” said Webster. Students are able to expand who they are as people and athletes.
