Some may ask: what motivates a student to give their all to a sport after a long, exhausting school day? To some, the idea of staying after school for hours of practice may seem overwhelming or unnecessary. However, for three student-athletes competing this spring, the answer goes far beyond winning.
Atticus Escovedo, a freshman at Fremont High School, is an avid football and track and field athlete whose passion for sports began at a young age.
“What motivated me to join football was watching highlight reels as a kid and playing football with my friends in elementary school,” Escovedo said. “What made me decide to continue doing track this spring was because I enjoy competing in various events that require different skills and challenging myself to get better throughout the season.”
Over time, Escovedo said participating in after-school activities has influenced both his mindset and daily routine.
“Some changes I’ve noticed in myself since playing sports have been that I have become better at time management — going to school, practice, and meets/games and still maintaining good grades,” Escovedo said. “Physically, being a student-athlete has instilled lifelong health and wellness habits that will keep me active throughout my life.”
Escovedo’s experience reflects how sports can shape students beyond competition, encouraging personal growth, discipline, and balance.
Similarly, Fremont High School freshman Daniel Mieja Martinez shared his own experience as a long-time soccer player.
“It was mostly my dad who motivated me to continue. After all, he did name me after a famous soccer player — a former player from a Mexican soccer club,” Martinez said with a smile. “My mom came up with my first name, but my dad added my second name, Alberto, while she was sleeping.”
While Martinez’s love for soccer began with his father’s influence, he said the sport is sometimes overlooked by others.
“It’s not all about physicality — it’s about mentality,” Martinez said. “You can have a great body, but without a good mentality, that just brings you down.”
Martinez said this mindset has helped shape him into the athlete he is today.
While Martinez was inspired by his father, Genesis Barcenas, a sophomore at Fremont High School, said her inspiration came from someone she has looked up to since childhood.
“My older brother is the one who motivated me to start playing soccer — I’ve always looked up to him and wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Barcenas said. “I decided to play soccer this spring because I realized what a privilege it is to play it.”
Barcenas described how the sport has influenced her both athletically and academically.
“Physically, I’ve lost weight and my legs have become stronger than when I first started,” Barcenas said. “Mentally, I believe I’ve grown stronger as well. Balancing soccer with other responsibilities can be challenging, but it has helped me become more disciplined and better at managing my time. I’m also proud that I’ve been able to keep my grades steady without any drops.”
Barcenas’s experience reflects what it means to be a dedicated student-athlete, alongside Escovedo and Martinez. Each has worked to improve both on and off the field.
Sports create opportunities for better health, stronger connections and valuable life lessons. Although studies show fewer students consider themselves sports fans compared to past generations, these athletes demonstrate that commitment cannot be measured by numbers alone.
“Student-athletes have to balance schoolwork, practices, games, and other responsibilities all at the same time,” Barcenas said. “I believe people have yet to understand the dedication and discipline it takes.”