Busy Hammond balancing two sports and academics in spring

CEDAR RAPIDS - Don't bother asking Katie Hammond to decide whether she likes tennis and soccer better.

The Cedar Rapids Washington junior hasn't been able to determine a favorite since her freshman year, and is the main reason she has chosen a hectic spring schedule of balancing both sports with a tough course load.

Hammond began playing soccer first, but started playing both competitively at 11 years old.

“People always ask me which one do you like more and I can honestly never pick,” Hammond said. “I've never been able to. I've juggled it for so long and there are certain aspects of each sport that I couldn't give up.”

Hammond joked that there are days when her life would be much simpler if she had a single spring activity, wishing she could select one sport. She has never neared a decision, leaving her with some long days that start with the first school bell and end by returning home late evening. Some days are busier than others.

"I'm tired pretty much all spring,” Hammond said. “There are days where I go from tennis right after school straight to a game at Kingston and I don't get home until 10 (p.m.). I haven't been home all day.

“I've had days where I only have one practice and get home about 5:30. There's always at least one thing.”

Time is precious for Hammond, who tries to stuff in as much in each 24-hour window. In addition to practice and competition for soccer and tennis, she also has to maintain her studies, which include three Advance Placement classes. She even had to find time to fit in extra work on AP Chemistry, which she considers her hardest class.

“I think junior year is the hardest school-wise is what everyone says,” said Hammond, who owns a grade-point average greater than 3.90. “I'd have to agree with that one. It's been very, very stressful.

“Sometimes I'll fall asleep reading books, trying to finish everything."

Hammond recalled on of her most hectic days from last year. She played regional tennis, qualifying for the 2010 state meet, and then rushed back for a soccer game. Rest was short as she had to be up for a full slate of classes and more sports the following day. She anticipates, and is prepared for, a similar day this year.

“I have individual regional in tennis,” Hammond said. "You play a tournament all day to figure out if individually you get to go to state and then I have a game at Kingston that night. I'll be at Washington at 6:30 a.m. to drive to an out-of-town meet. Then I play six matches and come straight back to Kingston to play a game.”

Varsity athletics takes dedication and commitment to succeed. It is rare, although it has been done before, to see someone excel in multiple sports during the same season.

"You need good basic skills in both," Washington girls tennis coach Dan Reyner said. "You need to be extremely competitive."

Reyner provides a little good-natured ribbing whenever Hammond, who has suffered ankle and knee injuries during soccer, arrives at tennis practice with bruises from other endeavors. Even though he said believes should could work her way to an elite level concentrating solely on tennis, he thinks the more activities an athlete is involved the more it benefits them.

"I don't have a problem with her competing," Reyner said. "I'm glad she does. It hones that competitiveness."

Hammond praised her family and her coaches, including Reyner and Warriors head soccer coach Sean McCoy for their suppoort.

“They've been really helpful with everything,” Hammond said. “They've always been supportive and they know I love both of them. They feel the same way I do that it would be so much easier if I could pick one, but they understand I couldn't.

“Both coaches would like if I would pick their sport. They both understand. Both are very supportive.”

With compact season for competition, scheduling conflicts are unavoidable. Hammond picked up on one right away. On April 30, Washington's tennis team played at Iowa City West, which was the 2010 state runner-up. The Warriors soccer team played Cedar Rapids Xavier.

Hammond chose to play tennis, but didn't make up her mind until three days before competition.

“My hope was that it would rain actually,” said Hammond, noting it would also be easier to be replaced in the soccer lineup. “That didn't happen, but I ended up playing tennis because it was a conference (divisional) meet.”

Cooperation between the two programs is a necessity. McCoy said it has been a joint effort. It takes a talented person to handle the multiple responsibilities.

“She's a great kid. We're all absolutely on the same page with this," McCoy said. "It's a case by case deal. She went to that tennis meet because it was a big meet for them. I totally understood that.”

Hammond has been the Warriors No.1 tennis player, posting a 12-1 singles mark and helping lead Washington to a 13-1 record. She was one of the top returning players from last season after placing seventh in singles at the state tournament. She plans on competing in singles when the postseason begins next Thursday, and wants to improve on her previous accomplishment as well as contributing to team success.

“I'd like to move up from seventh,” Hammond said. “Placing would be huge.

“Our team has a chance to go to state for the first time in a number of years, so that's a huge goal for us.”

Hammond doesn't expect her busy schedule to end after this spring. She said she wants to conclude her prep career playing both sports again next year, finishing what she started as a freshman and avoiding having to choose between the two sports she loves.

“I'm hoping I can do this for my senior year too,” Hammond said. “Hopefully, it will work.”