The daily grind that all athletes go through every day while also focusing on school is extremely difficult. Even more challenging than playing one sport is playing two. Between playing two sports, succeeding in academics, and living a normal life, all dual-sport athletes must be incredibly dedicated.

Many dual-threat athletes at St. X play fall and spring sports like football and lacrosse or baseball. Others play winter and spring sports like basketball and track. However, the most challenging of them all is playing football and soccer at the same time. One student athlete who does this is senior Logan Zoeller. Zoeller goes from playing midfield on the pitch during the week to kicking field goals on Friday nights.

Zoeller is very skilled at both soccer and football. He has been the varsity starting kicker since his sophomore year, and has the St. Xavier record for extra points.

There are many challenges Zoeller faces while playing both sports, with balance and staying healthy being two key difficulties he highlighted.

“Some of the biggest challenges are balancing both practices and games with homework and staying healthy,” Zoeller said. “Recovery is a challenge as sometimes I have games three days in a row.”

Zoeller starts his week on Mondays with soccer practice, then goes to football practice afterward. On Tuesdays, Zoeller often has a soccer game; however, before getting ready for the soccer game, he still practices kicking after school. His Wednesdays are similar to Mondays, with soccer practice followed by football practice. On Thursdays, his focus is on soccer, either for practice or a game. Zoeller shifts his focus to football on Fridays for the football game. Then, he follows up the football game with a soccer game on Saturday.

Playing two sports at once is extremely challenging but also heavily rewarding.

“What’s great about it is I get to play two sports I love and get to experience two different cultures and build relationships with different people,” Zoeller said.