HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Xavier's Stark a triple threat

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By Adrienne Hayes, Xavier sophomore

CEDAR RAPIDS - "Don't let the moment define you, define the moment."

That saying drives Xavier sophomore Nick Stark to be a football, baseball and track star.

For most of his life Stark has been involved in sports. He's played football for 10 years, baseball for 10 and run track for four. With a constant training schedule, Stark's life revolves around sports.

Stark said friends and family are his biggest supporters. They religiously attend his sporting events and cheer him on.

"I love seeing him play," said Pam Stark, Nick's mom. "I like seeing my son succeed in doing something he loves."

"My ultimate goal is to become Xavier's first three sport all-state athlete," Stark said.

This goal seems very plausible considering Stark already been a part of Xavier's varsity track team and played in the UNI-Dome for the state runner-up football team.

Last year, at the Drake Relays, the Xavier boys' 400-meter relay team placed sixth. That foursome included two seniors, one junior and one freshman - Stark.

"My proudest accomplishment so far is being a freshman on the varsity relay team," Stark said.

This year, Xavier's varsity football team played in the Class 4A state championship. Four Xavier sophomores had the privilege of getting moved up to the varsity team for the semifinal and championship games. Stark played in the semifinal game and caught a 34-yard pass. Xavier went on to win the semifinal over Bettendorf, 31-7.

Stark also is a member of Xavier's sophomore baseball team, starting in left field.

"He can throw the ball well, he's fast and he can hit pretty well," sophomore baseball teammate Grant Gibney said.

"I don't know what I would do with out my sports," Stark said. "They're such a huge part of my life and they've shaped me into the person I am now.

"I owe a lot of my success to my coaches and teammates who've always been there for me."