Junior tries to find balance between multiple sports | by MOLLIE POINTER

Athletic director Mark Hough believes many athletes are unable to participate in multiple high school sports due to the demands of club sports.

Club sports teams start recruiting athletes at early ages and athletes often continue to play their club sport until they have graduated from high school.  Premiere club teams participate in traveling tournaments and compete at state, regional and national levels requiring a substantial time commitment, which detracts from an athlete’s opportunity to play other high school sports.

“I want to find that balance [between club and high school sports],” Hough said.  “I want girls to do more than just their one sport.”
According to “The Case for High School Activities,” high school sponsored athletics “instill a sense of pride in community” and “enrich a student’s high school career.” Hough believes this to be a strong advantage to participation in high school athletics. Contrary to high school sports, Hough understands club sports offer a high level of competition and recruitment for college bound athletes.

Junior Karson Kuhlmann has played club soccer for 7 years, high school soccer for 2 years, club basketball for 10 years and high school basketball for 2 years.  She admits club sports have prevented her from trying out for other high school sports in years past, but she decided to run cross country for STA this year despite the fact that she is simultaneously playing club soccer.
Kuhlmann’s coach of 5 years Richard Davies from Kansas City Futbol Club, KCFC, defines club teams as “a series of tryouts to produce a select team.” Davies supports Kuhlmann’s decision to run this fall because cross country gives and takes on both sides, benefitting soccer. Kuhlmann, agreeing with Davies, partially decided to run to stay in shape for soccer.

“I actually encourage my players in other sports, in this example cross country has many fitness benefits that will help Karson in soccer,” Davies said. “Karson works hard and will make whatever sacrifices are needed for her to make the commitment to both sports.”
Kuhlmann on the other hand has not felt previous club coaches have encouraged her to branch out and play another sport though Davies has been very lenient concerning her attendance to practice and other KCFC commitments like games and tournaments.

Hough’s goal is to find a happy medium for athletes and coaches who struggle with the issue of playing high school sports versus club sports.

“An option possible [to find a balance between club and high school sports] would be to wrap up practices by 6 p.m. since most club practices don’t start ’til 7 or later,” Hough said. “Also, if clubs could practice on campus to make things easier for the girls going from one sport to another.”

Kuhlmann agrees that club practices offered on campus and a definite ending time for high school practices is a smart idea.

‘I definitely [feel the conflict between club sports and high school sports],’ Kuhlmann said. ‘I think that a lot more kids will go out for school teams [if there is a balance between club sports and high school sports].’