A Service of The Arrow           Monday March 27, 2000 8:56 PM

By: Andey Frey

ARROW STAFF

And they say that our generation doesn’t know the meaning of the word work. Well, they haven’t met juniors Sarah Lenoch and Steve Symington.

These two, along with a few other talented athletes, not only are three-sport athletes, but they make up the backbone of Flathead High School sports program.

"Flathead has a great program," said Lenoch, who plays on the basketball team in the fall, the volleyball team in the winter and the track team in the spring. "I do the sports because I was given a gift to play them."

"I was blessed with the abilities to compete in the three sports," said Symington, who competes in football, basketball and track. "I’m going to use what was given to me."

Along with Lenoch and Symington, juniors Lauren Casey, Zach Lindsay, Stephanie Lanfear, Steven Hodge, Will Roberts, and senior Jesse Hedeen also participate in three sports.

All of the athletes seemed to agree that they play three sports because they love it, and it keeps them busy.

"I love the sports that I play," said Casey, who does soccer, volleyball and track. "They always give me something to do."

Said Hedeen: "I love the feeling you get when you’re working towards a goal, and then you achieve it." Hedeen plays football, track and baseball.

Lindsay, who plays football, wrestling and track, plays three sports for another reason.

"I like to be involved in extra curricular activities," he said. "It keeps me out of trouble."

However, there can be a downside to being busy with sports all of the time. So much time is spent on sports these athletes sometimes find it hard to have time for friends and schoolwork.

"Getting schoolwork done is hard with practices going late," said Hodge, who competes in football, basketball and track. "There is not a lot of time."

"Sometimes it feels like it takes away from my social life," said Lanfear, who plays basketball, volleyball and softball. "But it will pay off in the long run."

Added Roberts, who does football, wrestling and track: "It is hard to party on the weekends when you have a game or a meet."

However, Hedeen feels that it doesn’t really interfere.

"I wouldn’t say it does," he said. "Time is limited to do other things, but if you do what you want to do, it doesn’t interfere."

For these athletes, playing three sports can also take a toll on their bodies.

"Right now I am incredibly sore, but it all pays off in the end," said Symington. "You get sore throughout the season, but you heal."

Added Lenoch: "Yes I get sore, we work hard, and I am often tired."

Doing three sports is no easy task and these athletes that do it have a serious love for sports and competing.

"I like the competitiveness, and getting out of school," said Lanfear. "I like being active."

"I like the challenge of sports," said Casey. "They allow me to compete."

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