By Caroline Willian ’13, Staff Writer

Nearly 80 percent of Newark Academy students play a sport for the school. This should not come as a surprise; NA students tend to be well rounded, and the no-cut policy on its school teams gives students opportunities that they may not have otherwise had. Most of our athletes work hard and are dedicated to their sports, but only a small percentage are able to continue competing at the college level.

College sports require very serious commitment, and the majority of high school athletes are not cut out for them. Not only must the athletes have extraordinary talents, but also extreme passion for their sport.

For the few high school students capable of playing sports in college, one must ask, “What kind of college experience do I want to have?” If that includes extracurricular activities, like school newspaper or other clubs, or partying, college sports are probably not the best option. College athletics restrict students from certain opportunities that are normally quintessential to college life. Contrarily, for many, sports provide a number of other opportunities, such as playing in a conference championship game with thousands of spectators or developing close relationships with teammates and coaches, all of which make up for the missed parties and spring breaks spent at school.

Many high school students planning on playing at the next level do not even question the drawbacks of college athletics. As a sophomore, swimmer Jen Koide ’11 already knows that she will definitely be swimming in college. After swimming her whole life, she can’t imagine life without it; “It’s just what I do,” she says.

Once the athlete decides whether they wish to continue participating in athletics, there are a number of other factors necessary to consider. In Division I, sports dominate the athlete’s life. Division III, obviously not as intense as DI, is still an enormous commitment. But for a standout high school athlete with varied interests, DIII can be the perfect combination of athletics and a well-rounded college experience.

Many athletes feel that they were not done playing or wanted to continue growing with their sport. Most high school athletes cannot fathom their lives without a sport, and are excited to “journey to the next level”. With talent, dedication, and perseverance, capable athletes can strive for excellence at the collegiate level. They must, however, understand what that level entails.