Nica Gumban

Girls Lacrosse Player and AP Student

Being a varsity athlete and an honors/AP student has been very difficult but rewarding nonetheless. Coming home from practice 9PM and having to eat dinner, finish homework, and get to bed all at a reasonable time is challenging. My biggest piece of advice is to put yourself first. Prioritize your mental health and remember to take time to enjoy what you like. It’s easy to get caught up in the routine of going to practice and just going home. It gets draining and can make you end up hating the sport you once love. However, it is important to work harder on your off days. Find your motivation deep down. Looking back on my four years playing lacrosse, I wouldn’t of done anything differently. It goes by fast, so make sure to make precious memories(and take lots of pictures you’ll appreciate them one day). I’ve made some of my best friends and lifelong memories playing a sport. And in turn, it has made me a better friend and student.

Keeland Harville

Boys Soccer Player and AP Student

Tips: Put school first; Don’t be complacent in anything- don’t settle for a B in the classroom or on the field.

I managed time by completing as much work in school as I could and doing the rest after practice. If anything, you will sacrifice time and rest. After practicing you will have to get your work done; therefore, you have to make time to study to get that high GPA that everyone wants. Always strive to be better. Settling for a B letter grade is lazy. The same way you work on the field should be the same way you work in the classroom. If you are lazy in the classroom, you are lazy on the field. Develop the mentality of “Be better than yesterday”. This is what I have gone by. If you make a mistake at practice, make sure not to make it again the next day. If you get a B on a quiz, make sure to get an A the next day.

Elliot Garst

Boys Track/Cross Country and AP Student

With cross country and track, I made sure I was dedicated to the team. When you are dedicated to the team, you are dedicated to bettering yourself to better the team. Always look to be better but don’t be overconfident. Don’t distance yourself from the team and truly be apart of it. Your dedication rubs off on others and makes them more likely to work harder. I sacrificed a lot for my team, and it paid off. We all sacrificed on the team and that is a huge reason why we have been so good for all the 4 years I was on the team. As a freshman, try to become friends with the older guys but don’t make yourself appear like you are trying to act better than them and what not. Don’t cut and do everything and always try your best because it pays off. When I made mistakes and had a bad race, I wished I just pushed it off and went on to the next one without leaving the weight of a bad race on my shoulders. What made me great was my aspiration to be as good as the best on the team and I strived for that without trying to make myself look better than them. I never listened to anything negative and never tried to cheat workouts and runs.