Grace Johnson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Scottsdale Christian Academy for AZPreps365.

Scottsdale Christian Academy junior defensive specialist Jessica Lynne finishes up her volleyball season and retires her knee pads to the back of her closet.

Then she reaches for her shin guards as winter rolls around and she assumes her position as a forward on the soccer field.

And just when Lynne thinks she can take a break and relax from practices and games, she has to lace up her sneakers and hit the track where she is a short-distance and relay sprinter.

This is just a glimpse of what it looks like for a student-athlete who competes for more than one sports team for their high school.

Playing one sport is tough enough. But playing two sports is a whole different story. Many multisport athletes, however, at Scottsdale Christian approach their different sports as a challenge to make themselves better athletes.

“Being a small school, we need our kids, our athletes to play multiple sports,” athletic director Eric Dall said. “That is what has allowed us to have success in the past is athletic kids that are willing to try something and play something that is maybe not their main sport.”

The challenges presented by being a multi-sport athlete do not go without notice. Having to get homework done after late practices. Never having an offseason because of the start of the next sports season. Keeping track of all the gear for the different sports.

Lynne approaches the obstacles like a pro athlete would do and accepts the challenge.

Though it may be hectic at times, Lynne said the support from her family, friends, teammates and coaches no matter what sport she is playing helps motivate her.

“I think handling the challenges helps me grow in every aspect of life, and having a passion for my sports helps me overcome a lot,” Lynne said. “Although I have had to learn when to take a step back and manage my life outside of school and sports, just knowing when to take breaks is very important.”

Senior Reece Gibson is volleyball captain and plays middle hitter in the fall while in the spring she runs track.

Playing two sports, according to Gibson, can also be challenging to balance everything, but it is worth it. She said playing two sports does not mean she still does not prioritize one over the other.

“Sometimes they conflict a little … at the end of track season because we would start volleyball open gyms pretty early, but it was never a huge problem,” Gibson said.

“Volleyball has been my main sport since I was 10 years old, so I definitely prefer volleyball but I have grown to love track a lot.”

As the Scottsdale Christian athletic director, Dall believes that students active in multiple programs help them prepare for real-life and adult decisions that are right around the corner after graduation.

“I love to see kids in situations where they are forced to balance multiple commitments. I think it is really good for our high school kids specifically to have a couple of different things that they are committed to and to learn to balance those commitments,” Dall said.

“And [they] have adult conversations with their adult coaches and their parents about managing their time and if they are going to have to miss something, they need to communicate that early and clearly with their coaches.”

Though one might assume that playing one sport allows them to focus their skills in one area, participating in both volleyball and track has improved Gibson’s athletic abilities and has made her a stronger athlete. With the multitasking skills she has gained, Gibson also credits participating in multiple sports as a way to stay in shape in the offseason.

“It one hundred percent makes me a better athlete,” Gibson said. “I started track really just to stay in shape for volleyball season, but it actually improved my performance in volleyball way more than I thought it would.”

Dall and his athletic staff decide to encourage their student-athletes to participate in multiple sports rather than force them to focus on one and will continue to do so in the future. Two-sport athletes, according to Dall, may be hard to find these days but make for great students.

“I think kids that have multiple commitments are forced to balance their time better and it teaches them time management skills and planning out their day, and I do think it is helpful for kids to have responsibilities outside of just school,” Dall said.

“Whether it is sports or fine arts or a job, I think all of that is helpful for these kids to learn these very adult, real-life skills.”