At SIS, most student-athletes play one or two sports per year. A select few, however, challenge themselves to compete in all three sports seasons. With only around three to six three-sport athletes in the entire HS department each year for the past few years of record, these students balance tight schedules with year-round intense physical and mental demands. 

“My biggest challenge as a sophomore three-sport athlete has been balancing my schoolwork with the time commitment of sports,” Lauren Lee (10), varsity volleyball, basketball, and badminton player, said. “Practices, games, and [trips] like Association of International Schools in Asia (AISA) take up a lot of my time, so staying on top of my assignments while still performing well in athletics has been difficult. It’s even harder when I’m hurt or sick and have to miss an extra school day, especially after already missing days because of games or tournaments.”

Due to such challenges, many students choose to focus on one or two sports they can specialize in, or not participate in sports at all. Despite the demanding nature of competing year-round, several three-sport athletes this year bring awe not only for their athletic abilities but also for their strong mentality, discipline, and time-management skills. 

Lauren is one of the student-athletes taking this challenge. Known for her athleticism and reliability in the team, she plays a key role in each of her teams. One of the biggest challenges she faces as a three-sport athlete, she noted, is managing the accumulation of multiple summatives and assignments when she misses classes for tournaments, requiring her to manage a tighter schedule.

“To manage this, I try to stay organized, use my free periods wisely, and start assignments as early as possible,” Lauren said. “I also communicate with teachers when I have conflicts due to sports, although that doesn’t always work in my favor. Not all teachers are quick to respond, so I’ve found that it’s usually better to ask questions and get clarification in person when I can.”

Even with strong organizational skills, participating in sports teams year-round can be both mentally and physically draining. Like many student-athletes, Lauren shared her experience of considering quitting during moments of exhaustion.

“I have definitely thought about quitting at times,” Lauren said. “There are moments when I feel overwhelmed or exhausted, and it makes me question whether I should continue. I actually have quit a sport before, and that still haunts me because I ended up wishing I hadn’t. Because of that, I try to be more mindful now about not burning out, and I usually push through since I care about my teams and genuinely enjoy playing.”

Despite the packed schedule and limited personal time, Lauren finds value in the experience.

“Even though it can be stressful and time-consuming, I think it is worth it because of the friendships, experiences, and especially personal growth I gain from being a part of different teams,” Lauren said. “For instance, I encounter diverse people when I participate in sports, and they’re not always the people I like, and they might not like me. But when playing sports, you can’t show any of those personal feelings on court. Being in multiple sports teaches you that there is a boundary between social life and private life.”

John Bhang (11), a varsity player of golf, basketball, and soccer, is another three-sport athlete who balances a full athletic schedule with academics. As a junior who takes multiple AP courses and maintains a demanding workload, John said the biggest challenge he faced as a three-sport athlete was managing time for his studies. 

Most sports include tournaments that span over days, such as KAIAC and international trips like AISA, which can result in students missing a significant number of school days across three seasons. However, John noted that the time spent on practices and games did not necessarily affect his productivity.

“I do not think practices and games reduce time for me to work on other things,” John said. “I don’t think the time I gain from not going to practices or games would be used efficiently by me, as I would probably sleep or watch reels. Therefore, I believe actively moving and participating helps me out during that time.” 

Instead of considering practice time a loss to his study time, John treats his packed schedule as motivation to stay efficient. Like Lauren, John also considers being a three-sport athlete a valuable experience despite the challenges.

“Whether it be golf teammates, basketball teammates, or soccer teammates, they all bring a unique aspect that I love being a part of, and that is what also motivates me to keep on going and participate,” John said. “I believe that it is worth every second.”

Both Lauren and John demonstrate a genuine love for sports and recognize the rewards that come from year-long perseverance and teamwork, motivating them to continue their athletic endeavors. While specialization in a few things one can excel at has become increasingly common, SIS’s three-sport athletes represent a dedicated group that continues to challenge expectations.