Lily Davis is an Ohio Wesleyan dual-sport athlete this semester.
For collegiate athletes like Lily Davis, balancing homework, swim practices, and golf workouts is an exhausting yet necessary routine.
“It’s a constant juggling act,” says Davis. “I’d wake up at 7 a.m. for swim practice, then head straight to golf in the afternoon, and after that, it was time for homework. I had to be super organized, or everything would fall apart.”
Being a student-athlete requires managing not just physical fatigue but also mental endurance. Swim practices in the morning, golf in the afternoon, and assignments that stretch well into the night leave little room for anything else. Despite the daily grind, the satisfaction of dedicating oneself to both academics and athletics is undeniable. But as Davis explains, the experience comes with its challenges:
“There were days I felt like I couldn’t keep up. Missing practices, and staying up late to finish assignments—it was tough. But you push through because you know the work pays off in the end.”
The tension between academics and athletics is a common struggle for college athletes. Balancing a demanding training schedule with the need to perform well academically often leads to tough decisions.
“There’s guilt when you have to choose between going to a practice or staying up late to study for a test,” says Davis. “I’ve had to learn to let go of the idea that I can't always be perfect at both. I had to get better at asking for help when I needed it.”
Teammates, too, feel the pressure of maintaining this delicate balance. Ava Kutilek, a fellow volleyball player and golfer, appreciates the commitment that dual-sport athletes bring to the team.
“Having a dual-sport athlete on the team is valuable because she shows us what it means to stay disciplined. Even though she had to miss some practices because of her swim schedule, we respected how hard she worked to keep up in both sports,” Kutilek said. “It taught us all a lot about flexibility and adaptability. We help each other out when things get tough.”
Coach Hawes, who has worked closely with athletes managing multiple sports, highlights the importance of communication and support from the coaching staff.
“It’s crucial for us to be flexible with these athletes. We coordinate with the other coaches to make sure their schedules don’t get overwhelming,” says Hawes. “We also make sure they’re taking care of their mental and physical health. Being a dual-sport athlete takes a toll, and our job is to support them as best as we can.”
Despite the inevitable burnout that comes with this intense lifestyle, Davis has learned to approach her commitments with resilience and a strong sense of purpose.
“You have to learn to be okay with imperfection. It’s not about being perfect at everything but about putting in the effort, day in and day out. That’s what leads to growth,” she said. “Even when things feel impossible, you keep going because you know that perseverance makes you stronger, both as an athlete and as a person.”
While the life of a collegiate dual-sport athlete can seem overwhelming, it also offers a sense of fulfillment that comes from pushing boundaries, learning time management, and building lasting relationships with teammates and coaches.
“At the end of the day, it’s all worth it,” says Davis. “You learn so much about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of leaning on others. You don’t have to do it alone.”
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