Dear Editor,

    High school practices and conditionings are starting earlier and earlier before their designated season. This may seem like a good idea to be more prepared for the season, but that is not always the case.

    As high school sport seasons are beginning earlier, it is becoming harder for the athletes involved in these sports to have time for other events in their lives. For example, I am on the high school soccer team and regular season games do not begin until September. Although this is true, we have had practices and conditionings since we returned from Christmas break on January 4.

    As an athlete that is involved in many other activities other than the high school soccer team, this is a very stressful situation. I am also on a club soccer team as well as the high school team, and it is difficult to do both during this time of the year, when both sports are having practices at the same time.

    Not only do the early high school seasons take time away from other sports, they also take time away from family and friends. It is hard to have time to spend with friends or family, or even have time to work when your sports season begins months too early.

    Playing another sport is almost out of the question with the seasons beginning so early. I played basketball my freshman year and was constantly punished in both sports for missing one for the other. It is unfair for students to be limited to one sport when they have the talent or desire to play another sport or playing the same sport through another organization.

  Sincerely,

  Riley Gruenbaum