The Multi-Sport Youth Athlete: An Elite Competitor
Whether they were throwing or kicking a ball, running sprints around the field, or swimming laps in a pool, many elite athletes began their journey by playing a variety of sports growing up. The conversation that a multisport culture can be beneficial for young athletes is definitely worth the hype; different movement patterns paired with a range of sport-specific challenges can ultimately develop the athlete as a whole and may contribute to future athletic and professional success.
Hayley Katkowski has played soccer at both the collegiate and professional levels. She was a member of the Rutgers University Women’s Soccer Team and the Boston Breakers Reserves Amateur team. More recently, Hayley played overseas for FC Slovacko (Czech Republic Women’s League) and Sandviken IF (Swedish Women’s League). Soccer was and still is her favorite sport, but Hayley also participated in cross country, swimming, dance, and softball when she was younger. She believes this diversified her active lifestyle and was undoubtedly an integral part of her childhood.
“I think it’s important to play different sports growing up, if sports are your thing. I believe it helps you find what you really like to do. I also think playing a variety of sports is beneficial because one sport may come easy to you while another sport may not. You might have to work a lot harder for that sport, and this can teach you lessons you may not have learned without the added challenge. If you focus on one sport your entire life, you could get worn out pretty quickly. You also have the opportunity to get to know and meet so many people when you are involved in other sports, which I think is important later on in life.”
Hayley Katkowski, DI Athlete Graduate and Professional Soccer Player
Sarah Adler is currently a semi-professional runner with the Heartbreakers Team in Boston. She competed in two sports throughout her collegiate career. Her freshman and sophomore years at Northeastern University were spent playing field hockey, but she transitioned to run track as a second-year student. She was awarded NCAA eligibility during her fifth year. Sarah, like Hayley, was an all-around competitive athlete; when she was not participating in recreational soccer, softball, figure skating, lacrosse, tennis, field hockey, or running, she was a spectator of games and sporting events. Engaging in multiple sports throughout middle school and high school helped Sarah develop lasting friendships and experiences with coaches and teammates both on and off the field.
“I believe everyone should dabble in various sports because each team brings something different. Middle school and high school are times of growth where we discover who we are, what makes us happy, and who we want to surround ourselves with. Participating in multiple sports allowed me to avoid that burnout that happens so often when athletes become serious in one sport. This also helped me to truly value the sport I loved most when the season came around.”
Sarah Adler, DI Athlete Graduate, and Nike Flyer
For youth athletes who feel that they need to focus on one specific sport or game to be successful and play at the highest level, some elite competitors offer words of advice: play, train, and compete in a variety of athletics while you are still young. It is important to remember that the needs of one athlete will differ from the needs of another. Have fun, enjoy the companionship, and find what it is that you truly love; we hope you find comfort knowing that many influential athletes support a diverse athletic culture.