Balancing Act: Three-sport athlete juggles academics and athletics

Manteca High sophomore Estafania Gonzalez.

By DEMARCO NELSON 
The Tower 

Being a student-athlete isn’t just about showing up to practice or acing a test. 

It’s about balancing and moving pieces and then finding the rhythm between them. It’s a constant balancing act, keeping your grades up, pushing yourself on the field, and still making time for life outside of school and sports.  

So how do student athletes manage it all? 

Many manage to excel by finding strategies that help them stay organized and focused.  Strategies include daily reminders, prioritizing tasks, tutoring, and help from a parent. 

Manteca High sophomore Estefania Gonzalez is a multi-sport athlete. She maintains good grades while keeping balance in her sports. She plays soccer, track, and tennis. When she is not in school, she takes care of her siblings and does sports outside of school. 

The Tower caught up with Estefania Gonzalez to talk about how she makes it all work, and more importantly, how she thrives in all areas.

The Tower: How do you balance three different sports? 

Estefania Gonzalez: Making a schedule and using time wisely. 

TT: What keeps you motivated in stressful moments? 

EG: God and family. 

TT: In stressful situations, what do you do? 

EG: Pray and focus on the game.

TT: What’s your routine to achieve balance? 

EG: Taking time and sticking to the schedule.

TT: How long have you been playing sports? 

EG: Since 6th grade.

TT: In each sport, what position do you play? And how do you perform? 

EG: Tennis I play in the back. In soccer, I play left back or right back. In track, I do 200- and 400-meter sprints.

TT: What do your coaches and teachers think about you? 

EG: They think I’m cool.