A high school balancing act

CEDAR RAPIDS - Student-athletes all over the world face the same problem. How can you achieve in sports while maintaining grades.

With all the time required of sports practices, conditioning and lifting, students are left with little time for studying and homework.

'We view our children's education as more important than sports they are involved in,” said Lisa Whitten, junior Blake Whitten's mother.

Whitten participates in three school sports throughout the year and one AAU team. He plays for Xavier's football, basketball and track teams. Outside of school, he plays on Iowa Dynasty, an AAU basketball team.

'I usually have two to three hours of homework each night,” Whitten said.

While explaining how he copes with his limited time to study and do homework, he said it is in fact helpful for him to have less time so he does not procrastinate with his studies. Whitten said his first year on the varsity football team at Xavier was very challenging. In addition, he also feels junior year is his most challenging academic year of school so far.

'Varsity requires a lot more time and effort,” he said. 'We have much more practice time on varsity.”

Last fall, he started practicing a new position in football, free safety. He has had to spend a lot of time practicing his new position and getting in shape for the role.