As a senior at McNeil High School, Tierra G. balances basketball, track and flag football, three sports that have shaped her high school experience in different ways.
Track, her favorite sport, has been a constant all four years.
“I started off on JV and ran one meet, and my coach was like, ‘Wow, she’s amazing,’” Tierra said. “After that, I started running for varsity. It’s been hard, but I’m getting better. It’s definitely been an experience, and I enjoy everything.”
She credits track with building discipline and teaching her how to push through challenges.
As a senior point guard in basketball, she has strengthened her leadership skills.
“A lot of the underclassmen look up to me because I'm a point guard and a leader on the team,” she said. “It’s helped me gain the courage to lead and help others if I need to.”
Tierra added flag football last year when the sport was introduced in the district. Though the team faced growing pains in its inaugural season, she said the experience reminded her to enjoy the moment.
“It kind of taught me how to have fun,” she said. “We didn’t have the best games, but we were there to have fun. It was our first year… I need to let loose sometimes, and not be as serious.”
Balancing three sports and academics can be stressful, especially during track season when meets sometimes require missing class. Tierra said staying disciplined and working ahead helps her manage the workload.
Jordan Gesch, one of the district’s athletic assistant directors, said experiences like Tierra’s highlight the value of participating in multiple activities.
“Community-based public school athletics gives students a chance to try something new and discover things about themselves in the process,” Gesch said. “Stepping out of your comfort zone pushes students’ boundaries and helps them find areas of personal growth they might not discover otherwise.”
Looking back, Tierra said becoming a multisport athlete has helped her grow in confidence the most.
“I lacked confidence my freshman year. I was scared. I didn’t know much,” Tierra said. “I feel like the people around me, my coaches, definitely helped. My confidence is so much better now.”
One coach in particular, Lee Thompson, has played a key role in her development.
“He’s always been by my side,” she said. “He knows how much potential I have and pushes me to reach it.”
Gesch said competition and teamwork help students build skills that extend far beyond athletics.
“There is no substitute for the sharpening of an individual that comes from engaging in competition,” Gesch said. “The opportunity to learn how to be part of something bigger than ourselves is a skill that carries into all facets of life.”
After graduation, Tierra hopes to continue running track in college and encourages younger students to consider joining athletics.
“Go for it,” she said. “Try everything your freshman year. It’ll be hard at first, but you’ll conquer it. Keep pushing.”