The dedication required to succeed as a student goes beyond physical talent; it’s a test of character and having a good mental state. While peers only see the glory of the game, the true story of a student athlete is written in invisible hours, study sessions on the bus, recovery from injury and unwavering discipline to choose practice over social life.
Baseball
In baseball, dedication is measured in the dirt. It’s found in a student athlete who understands success is built on a foundation of failure. Senior Brady Morgeson has been playing baseball since he was a child. Morgeson says he had to make a lot of social life sacrifices as a baseball player.
“I’ve had to say no to a lot of late nights, making sure I can recover,” Morgeson said.
Although Brady is currently an online student, he describes his busy days as baseball and school work, which he says makes it easier to find balance with practice and studying for school.
Not only does a sport take dedication, it takes money. Morgeson says he spends about $1,200 on average on equipment alone.
“Bats are gonna cost $400-500, a glove probably $250-300, cleats probably around $115,” Morgenson said.
Girls track
Track and field isn’t just a mindset, it’s a semester long of 5 a.m. sprints. Senior Zoelie Deaton has been running girls track and field for six years. Almost every sport takes sacrifices to succeed.
“I had to give up spending time with my friends and family in order to attend practices,” Deaton said.
“Going to school and practice, then work or going to school and practice then cheering at a basketball game.” Zoelie describes her daily schedule.
Overall, Deaton has shown great dedication to both of her sports as a dual athlete, as she says she’s constantly practicing since her sports are back to back seasons.
Basketball
Senior Marcos Aguilar has been playing basketball since he was young.
“I have been playing since I was three at the YMCA,” Aguilar said.
As a basketball player, it can be difficult to find time.
“Lift weight, shoot around… After my school day we support our JV team, and then get ready for our varsity game,” Marcos describes his schedule.
He says one of his hardest moments throughout his athletic career was being kicked off the team sophomore year, but then making a comeback junior year. As a student athlete there are multiple things you have to give up even if that means giving up school work. Aguilar says he’s had to give up school work due to tournaments taking place on Fridays in both Dallas and Kansas City.
While most sports are on the pricier side, Marcos describes basketball as one of the more affordable sports.
“$60-100 for a basketball, shoes are about $100 to $200, and you really just need regular gym clothes or a jersey, which can cost around $50 for everything.”
Cheer
While cheer may seem just flips and flashy outfits, it takes time and dedication to do stunts like the cheer squad.
“School all day, work a couple hours, then cheer after which usually can go until 10 p.m.,” senior cheerleader Maddie Trotter describes as her schedule.
“I’ve had to give up many job opportunities, family time, and social events for cheer”
Maddie says handling cheer and school can be stressful sometimes as there is no time on game days to complete school work as they are constantly cheering at games.
“There is truly no time for homework when we have games. I usually just stay up late to complete my schoolwork, or do it the following day.”
Pom
Senior Corley Palmer had been on Santa Fe’s Pom team for a total of three years. During state season she describes her day as really busy.
“Get up at around 4:30 to go to practice at 5:45 in the gym, practice would end around 7:15 and then I would go to the locker room to get ready for school,” Palmer said.
“I have a pretty intense school schedule from 8:00-3:00 and then I would have practice again from 3:00-5:00 before I would go home, do homework , eat and film myself practicing for our state coach,” Palmer said.
Because Palmer is in six AP classes, studying is different. She typically studies at cafes or during halftime at games.
Not only does pom take effort, it also takes well paying jobs or financial stability as equipment can get pricey; just a team warm up jacket and pants alone can run you about $400. Besides clothing, Palmer says summer training camps are $500 and choreography fees are $400.
Boys cross country
Dylan Mork has been running cross country since 7th grade.According to Mork, cross country is different from other sports because it does not require you to give anything, other than time, up.
“On a busy week I will go to school around 8:45, have practice, then go to work and get off at 9:15 or 10:15,” Mork said.
According to Mork, they also have intense training schedules.
“Off season looks similar to regular season but with less intensity workouts. The only time I’m not training is when I get a week to 2 week break right after the season ends.”
Overall, Mork says shoe costs add up the most.
“Cross country itself isn’t expensive but all of the shoes and running clothes really add up; I have around $900 worth of shoes.”
Girls cross country
Meg Harvey has been running cross country since June 2025. While she does cross country she also balances that with having an internship at a medical clinic getting hands on experience.
“My hardest comeback moment is definitely when I get injured, I miss practice and miss out on being with my friends and coaches, and coming back to fit in is tough,” Harvey said.
Harvey says the most expensive things she’s had to spend her money are shoes and clothing, which can add up to $350.
“BROOKS were about $150-$200” plus clothing which she says can add up to $350.
Wrestling
Luke Compton has been wrestling since 7th grade. Wrestling comes with hardships but Compton comes back and continues his sport.
“During a pre-season tournament a strained one of my rib muscles, which made me miss out on our matches in December,” Compton said.
When Compton is not doing wrestling training he’s training for football season, which he says goes hand and hand with wrestling.
“In July we will have wrestling practices. With football workouts and wrestling practices, it can be a lot,” Compton said.
Compton says he does not have to spend much money on the sport as he just requires wrestling shoes, “the only thing I’ve had to buy is wrestling shoes. My wrestling shoes, which were $120.”
Although some sports require more time and money than others, student athletes oftentimes must make sacrifices to continue doing what they love.
