What Does it Mean to be a Student Athlete?

Redwood student-athletes share what being an athlete truly means, even the hard parts about it.

By: Ethan Gutierrez

High school athletics play a major role in the spirit and culture of a school, and Redwood High is no different.

Especially in a small town, sports tend to be the main priority.

But what happens when your grades start to tank, and you have to study for a test, but the big game is the next day?

Katelynn May, ’27, who has a 4.2 GPA, talks about the priorities of what it means to be a student athlete.

May says, “You have to put your school, your grades, and classes first before sports.”

“The amount of work that you put into what you do reflects on who you are as a person,” said May.

Jack Arreola, ’27, is on the Redwood Boys Cross-Country team and runs for Varsity.

With sports being time-consuming and a commitment, Arreola talks about how busy his schedule always is and how his day doesn’t stop after school or after practice. 

Arreola has maintained a 4.4 GPA. Arreola talks about the sacrifices he has to make as a student athlete.

Arreola says, “The last two years I’ve missed cowhide cause of cross country races.”

Ethan Backlund, ’27, who is on the Redwood Boys Water polo team who also plays for varsity, has a 4.7 GPA.

He sees the positive side of what it’s like being a student athlete, saying, “I think a student athlete is better because it’s more enjoyable, because then you have extracurriculars that help you.”

Roman Mesa, ’27,  who has a 4.29 GPA and plays varsity football, talks about his time management skills and sometimes making sacrifices.

One of the sacrifices Mesa has to make is “hanging out with friends, because most of the time [he has] practice and stuff.”

“With academics and sports, you have to learn to balance and organize, which are skills that you’ll need in the future,” said Mesa.

Sehrish Hirani, who has a 4.8 GPA, talks about staying on top of your mental health and why she plays sports.

Overall, it takes a lot to be a student, but it takes even more time, dedication, and will to be a student athlete, and they don’t get enough credit for what they do.

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