At SHS, students have a wide variety of activities to choose from, and many eagerly take advantage of these opportunities. Some, however, stand out by participating in sports across all three seasons, demonstrating an exceptional level of commitment and involvement.
Jamel Abdeljaber, 11, is a three-season athlete who competes in football, wrestling, and track throughout the school year. Abdeljaber’s athletic journey began in seventh grade with football and wrestling. His dad was very passionate about him playing football, but wrestling was fully his choice. His passion for both sports carried into high school, where he added track to his schedule during his freshman year because he knew he would have the same coach, Tinashe Bere, throughout all three sports.
“I met Coach Bere during eighth grade football,” said Abdeljaber. “He’s taught me important life lessons — not just how to be a better athlete, but a better person.” That consistent coaching relationship has helped Jamel stay grounded and focused year-round. “Having the same coach through all three seasons gives me a sense of stability. I always know what’s expected of me.”
When asked how he handles the stress and conflicts that come with playing three sports Abdeljaber replied, “I am trying to accomplish a goal for each day, and then prepare for the next day.” Abdeljaber puts away the distractions of school and social life at practices and games in order to perform his best for his team.
Among his proudest achievements is being named captain of the varsity football team — an especially notable honor as the only junior to earn the title. His work ethic was also on display early in high school, when he earned second place at the Dublin Freshman Wrestling Tournament in his weight class.
Abdeljaber’s dedication to all three sports he participates in makes him a prime example of a SHS athlete. As he heads into his senior year, his goals remain the same: stay committed, stay focused, and give his all in every sport, every season.
Charlotte Lang, 10, is another three-season athlete. Her athletic career started all the way back when she was in third grade with swimming. Later on, in seventh grade, she picked up lacrosse, and most recently, she decided to take on cross country. Over the years, Lang has also played other sports like soccer and water polo. Out of all the athletic activities she has been involved in, cross country has stood out to her the most. “I started cross country this year and it’s by far my favorite sport I’ve ever done,” Lang said.
Playing a sport every season has its obstacles, especially when it comes to things like long practices and staying on top of schoolwork. Lang handles these challenges through intentionally adapting to the needs of the moment: “You learn how [to focus] on the present instead of getting overwhelmed by everything at once,” Lang added. Balancing sports with her social life often means combining the two: “Sports sort of ties into my social life and has definitely expanded it,.” Lang noted.
Along with the day-to-day balance, skills from one sport often carry into another. “Coordination and especially mentality,” Lang said when asked what strengths transfer from sport to sport. Mental strength is just as—if not more—important as physical strength to Lang; she said, “Once you play a sport where you have to have a strong mentality, it makes it easier to push through other things.”
