Issue 5 | February 11 , 2015 11Hoofbeat SportsMN athletes dominate on two playing fields, adjust to the transition of sportscolton stonesports editor

From Bo Jackson to De-ion Sanders, the rise of suc-cessful two sport athletes has been prevalent in schools across the nation for years. But, where most players shine is not at the professional lev-el; it’s high school athletics and many MN students are jumping on the bandwagon.

The most important part in a sport is the training that goes into it before and during the season. This leads to one of the toughest task for two sport athletes because of the transi-tion from one sport to the next, while only being prepared for one sport’s task at hand.

“The hardest part about adjusting is the condition that you’re supposed to be in is completely different. In bas-ketball, you’re running con-stantly with zero breaks, but with football, you’re bursting then you get to rest. It’s just hard to adjust the first few weeks,” junior Tate Moyer said.

The other major disad-vantage for these athletes is the risk of injury. Each sport uses different muscles and also expects different play styles.

“Injuries can play a huge role; if you have a serious enough injury you can miss both sports[football and bas-ketball]. But, I’m just blessed that I only missed one of my favorite sports with my inju-

ries,” junior Jake Lenagh said.Each athlete will tell you

that injuries are no fun and with the extra wear and tear, the chances might increase.

“Injuries can play a big role. It’s basically twice as likely to get hurt because in-stead of resting, I’m playing a different sport. Also, play-ing basketball is nice because it means I don’t have to go throw a whole lot for base-ball and wear my arm down,” senior Dillon Nelson said.

While playing two sports sounds like it’s harder than just sticking to one, there are many advantages for the athletes that partake in more than one.

“It gets your body used to adversity and it’s more fun to do more than one sport in my mind,” ju-nior Ethan Morrison said.

On top of that, playing two sports replaces condition-ing for athletes and helps to maintain a high level of fitness.

“The advantages would definitely be how much fun it is. I’m a really competitive guy, so going out and do-ing what I love year round is awesome. You also stay in peak condition year round which is nice,” Moyer said.

Besides the athletic and competitive advan-tage, there is the other side of sports that athletes en-joy just as much as playing.

“The advantages are be-

ing able to stay in shape. I have two families of teams that I can bond with and that will always be there for me. And I love both sports, so it’s great being able to play both,” Nelson said.

Most athletes try to fo-cus on one sport and dedicate themselves in order to perfect their skill. But, playing one sport may not always be the best option for everybody.

“I don’t think focusing on one sport would be easi-er because playing multiple sports makes you so much more of a dynamic and well rounded athlete,” Moyer said.

The downfall of focus-ing on two sports is missing events for one sport while try-ing to play for another team. It almost becomes impossible to appease to both audiences.

“At times, I do think it’s easier to focus on one sport, especially in baseball. I don’t get to go to as many camps or play for a travel team to get exposure with colleges or scouts which can be tough,” Nelson said. “And I don’t like missing team events, so in the summer when I’m play-ing baseball and have to miss a basketball game, it’s tough.”

Each athlete is different in this day and age, but play-ing two sports has become the norm for most high school stu-dents. While it may not carry over to college athletics, it will help maintain peak condition

TWO PLAYING FIELDS: Junior Tate Moyer prepares to reenter an MN football game and senior Dillon Nelson attempts a free throw during a home game. Playing two sports has become normal and MN and stu-dents are competing at high levels. Photo by Madi Weaver

Girls soccer sign their sweet seven playerslindsey amenfront editor

Some met in elementary school, when a future of col-lege sports wasn’t even on the horizon yet. Others dur-ing their freshman year at MN, where they would go on to play on the same team to-gether for the next four years.

For seven senior varsity girls soccer players who com-mitted to colleges this past signing day on Feb. 4, see-ing each other succeed af-ter so much time together is a cherished opportunity.

“It’s super exciting, be-cause there are some people who I’ve played with since we were really little kids and it’s crazy to see how we’re all growing up. It’s a bit sad, because we’ll all be going in different directions, but defi-nitely super exciting because everyone’s so talented.,” se-nior Avery Anderson said.

Anderson, who has com-mitted to Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, faced momentary struggle during recruiting time when she tore her ACL. With the help of her team, she has bounced back and is now looking forward to the start of this year’s season.

“There are definitely turn-ing points when you’re playing a sport when you reach dif-ferent levels and you either step up and change and get better, or some people pla-teau or get injured. When I was out, I was getting ner-vous, because you can see people progressing without you and you’re wondering if you’re going to get left behind, but it’s so cool to see people who you’ve known since you were really young prog-ress and see how far they’ve come. We all worked togeth-er to do it,” Anderson said.

Also signed was senior Sarah Dervin, who will be at-tending Missouri Western State University next fall with fellow team members Bailey Ketcham and Megan Maenner.

“It’s nice to be going to school with some girls that I know. It will probably make the transition easier, and playing with girls that I’ve known for six years will be cool. I’ve known Megan since I was in fifth grade, and Bailey the beginning of high school,” Dervin said.

Although senior Chris-tina Stasi will not be moving onto college soccer with any fellow teammates, she says her verbal commitment to Wayne State in August of last

year was comforting enough.“It is relieving to know

where my next steps will be taken after high school. [I am] nervous, mostly, at least for right now. Some days I’m extremely excited and can’t wait to head out and some days I’m very nervous for the transition between high school and college life. How-ever, soccer is what I love do-ing most so its not too big of a problem for me,” Stasi said.

As the season begins within the next few months, the girls have one goal in mind.

“As players, Bailey, Me-gan, and I – and all the other seniors – have been to the state finals two years in a row, but haven’t won, which sucks. Hopefully this year is our year. It’d be nice to go out senior year with a win,” Dervin said.

fast factsSenior Dillon Nelson (pic-tured below) has played var-sity basketball for three years and baseball for three years.

Junior Tate Moyer (pic-tured to the left) has played varsity football for three years and basketball for two years.

Junior Ethan Morrison (not pictured) has played var-sity football for three years and basketball for two years.

Junior Jake Lenagh (not pictured) has played varsity football for three years and basketball for two years.