I like bragging about the tremendous student-athletes we have here at Goshen College and not just because it is my job. I like doing it, simply because they often amaze me and they deserve more recognition than they get.
Today’s group of choice is the multi-sport athlete. Let me start by saying that in high school I was a four-sport letterman – although one year of varsity basketball and a quick dip in golf barely count – and managed to remain near the top of my class academically. While I understand the rigors more than some, that was high school and the difference in college is drastic.
At Goshen College we have nearly 20 student-athletes who play on more than one of our intercollegiate teams. While some of these are naturally fits like cross country runners competing in the distance events in track, others make drastic in school-year switches.
Take junior Kelsey Herschberger (Goshen, Ind.). Just a few weeks ago, she was a crucial defensive force in the Maple Leaf volleyball team’s run to the MCC Championship game. In her first season as a libero, Kelsey rattled off 529 digs and earned first team all conference honors.
While Kelsey was fighting along with her volleyball teammates in win or go home situations, her Maple Leaf basketball teammates were kick-starting their season without her. The basketball team is still nearly four months away from the conference tournament, instead playing non-conference tournaments to prepare themselves for the season ahead.
“Going from competing in a championship volleyball game to a preseason basketball game is very difficult mentally,” Herschberger later said. “I went from playing with a team that was at its peak, playing every point completely focused knowing that it could be the last you play for the season to a team at the beginning of its season still working out the kinks like every preseason team.”
Herschberger had just one basketball practice before making her season debut in a big Goshen win over Trinity Christian. As Herschberger entered in the “mop up” minutes of the contest, her and Coach Wiktorowski had to quickly run through plays, figuring out which ones she was familiar enough with.
The basketball playbook is a momentary issue that Herschberger will conquer quickly, but it is also probably the easiest part of her transition. “The hardest part of transitioning from one sport to the next is being in shape for the next sport,” Herschberger explains. “At the end of volleyball season, we aren’t doing much conditioning and it’s hard to be physically ready for basketball.”
Herschberger must also adjust to a much different role on the Maple Leaf basketball team. After playing nearly every point during the volleyball season, the junior will be coming off the bench for the basketball team.
“I know that my role on the team is not to play every minute of every game,” she added. “It is different that what I was used to in high school and volleyball, but it’s nice to be playing a little different role to help the team.”
With all the adjustments on the court, it is easy to forget Herschberger’s full-time gig as a junior Sports Management Major. The most amazing part of a multi-sport college student-athlete is that they are able to handle all of the rigors of transitioning from one hard season to the next and still be a college student.
Kelsey’s transitions are not over either. After missing last year’s track and field season due to a knee injury, the junior will return to participate in the jumps and relays for the Maple Leafs.
To Kelsey and all of the Goshen College multi-sport student-athletes, we stand amazed!
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