By Lisa Carolin
The miles and miles of long distance running demanded by athletes on a high school cross country team is hard to fathom. Imagine adding the demanding workouts and game schedule of a soccer season all within the same few fall months.
That’s what Chelsea High School Junior Campbell Fahle did this year.
“Participating in two sports required me to be super organized and that was hard at times,” said Fahle. “I was constantly juggling workouts, practices, games, meets, homework, tests and other school stuff and family obligations.”
Fahle along with student Rayan Bahri, were on both the soccer and cross country teams this fall. Soccer coach Shawn Hayes says that sometimes they would attend cross country practices before school to be able to attend soccer practice after school.
“Campbell and Rayan are terrific young men who strive to be the best at everything they do,” said Hayes. “Both are great students, both work very hard in everything they do, and I couldn’t be happier for the two of them to be able to play for us while also helping the school’s cross country team achieve another regional title and earn 6th place honors in the state meet.”
Eric Swager is the high school’s cross country coach and says this about taking on two sports at a time.
“The two-sport challenge can work if the coaches, athletes, and parents all get on the same page with expectations, goals, and continue communicating as the season goes on,” said Swager. “As far as the athletes go, they need to train hard during the summer so they can handle the rigors of both sports.”
Brian Jacobs also earned varsity letters in two sports in the fall-cross country and tennis. Tennis coach Rahn Rosentreter says it comes down to the individual and how much time he wants to spend training.
“Not only did Brian play two sports, he took on more responsibility in tennis,” said Rosentreter, who said that Jacobs was asked to play the best tennis players from each school. “This was a big jump from the doubles he played before. For us he did well and filled a spot that protected others on the team.”
Swager says attitude is all important.
“The proper attitude is the final piece for each of the athletes,” said Swager. “All of them had to realize that the challenge would be substantial, but sacrifice and communicate to make it happen.”
Fahle says one of things he enjoyed most about playing on two teams was getting to know all the players and coaches and learning from them.
“Whenever I didn’t feel like I could run another mile, they (my teammates) built me up and supported me and made me feel like I could do anything,” said Fahle. “Both coaches were that way, too. They were always asking me how I was doing and were aware when working out got to be too much for my legs. They had to figure out with my parents what games and meets I could participate in and which ones I could not.”
Fahle says that he “kind of misses the crazy weekly schedules.” He says that he hopes to play soccer and run cross country again next year.
