Grant Lucas – Sports editor. When field lights dim and cool air sets to mark the end of the fall season, many athletes reflect and reminisce about games, matches or practices. They joke and kid each other as smiles flash across their faces. Some feel a sense of sadness, exhibited by tears streaming down their cheeks, while others quickly rebound as they prepare for the next season’s sport.
For football players such as senior Gunnar Cederberg and sophomore Cole Bixenman, winter baseball practices are in store soon after the pigskin season ends.
With the rapid turnover comes a strong commitment to sports as well as schoolwork and family. This demand, however, didn’t dissuade either of them from continuing their multi-sport participation.
Cederberg took on the role of an all-around athlete when he decided to delve into not only football and baseball, but also into basketball. Although he dropped one sport when he entered Linfield, the time commitment didn’t wane at all.
“In high school, it was easier to stay on top of everything,” he said. “My first two years of college were hard, and my grades slipped a little because of the demand of sports.”
Bixenman, who also was a three-sport athlete in high school, found excitement within the large commitment.
“I’m easily bored,” he said. “Having some responsibility everyday made things fun for me and kept me in line.”
The decision to continue at least two sports at Linfield was simple for each athlete. Both Bixenman and Cederberg anticipated playing football and baseball. Cederberg’s choice may have been easier. One of the main reasons he chose Linfield was because the coaches gave him the opportunity to excel in both sports, he said.
Head football coach Joe Smith said that high school athletes should participate in more than one sport.
“It’s a shame that our youth sport system is requiring kids to specialize early,” he said. “It’s hurting them more than helping. Burnout is high and even skill development is hindered.”
The idea of playing football and baseball was something Bixenman grew a liking to. However, he said that, for a few months, he thought maybe he should stick to baseball. That was before he remembered an element of football he would miss.
“I realized how much I would miss the big-team atmosphere,” he said. “That feeling you get on gameday is like nothing else.”
As far as time management is concerned, Cederberg said that it’s all about keeping tasks balanced. He said that if school needs more attention, then it should receive it.
Bixenman’s parents offered their support when he needed it. He said they not only made sure he didn’t fall behind in his schoolwork, but they also encouraged him to get it done as soon as possible to make room for his social life.
Each athlete’s multi-sport experience has taught him valuable lessons that upgrade clichés to worthy descriptions. Both Cederberg and Bixenman agreed that anything can be done as long as one’s mind is set and hard work is put in.
“Juggling multiple things and sports at once helped me realize that you need to take one thing at a time and not look ahead too far,” Bixenman said. “Go to class, go to practice, do your homework and just get them all done.”
Smith said that athletes are encouraged to broaden their horizons, saying that it’s “part of the Linfield experience.”
Cederberg offered words of wisdom to those athletes who choose to follow in his footsteps. He said being a two-sport athlete is not impossible.
“If you’re smart about your time and how you go about training and studying, you will be able to go far.”