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Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A Balancing Act Part II
St. Paul, MN
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By: Carrie Gill
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Photo(s) By: Adam Kennedy
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Profiles: Aliena Debelak and Tyler Swanson
Name: Aliena Debelak
School: Irondale High School
Sports: Soccer & Basketball
Who is your favorite athlete?
Michael Phelps
What positions do you play?
In soccer I’m a goalie and I play post in basketball.
If you could only play one of the sports, which would you choose?
Soccer – As a goalie, I like to have the pressure. I get more of an adrenaline rush in soccer and get to be vocal and tell people where to go.
What’s the hardest thing about being a goalie?
Staying focused in the game… especially if there’s not a lot of action. But on the other hand, it’s fun making the big saves.
What’s your favorite thing about basketball?
I think it would have to be burning someone on a move. I like posting up, turning on them and scoring in their face.
How do you prepare for the basketball season?
I try to shoot a little bit during the soccer season, but we have about a month off in between seasons so once soccer is done, I start lifting and shooting more intensely.
What is the most difficult thing about playing both a fall and winter sport?
I also play soccer about four days a week in the winter for the Woodbury Eclipse so switching from one sport to the other is tough. It also gets tough to fit school in and have time for myself.
Do you enjoy watching soccer or basketball more?
I like watching basketball because there’s more constant action. I tend to watch the college games more often than the NBA because it seems like the college athletes care more about it than professionals do.
How has playing two sports helped you?
Playing basketball keeps me in shape for club soccer and has helped me balance my time.
What is your favorite high school sports memory?
One of our soccer rivals is Centennial and last year we hadn’t won a game or scored a goal eight games into the season. We played Centennial and beat them 3-0.
What are your college plans?
I’m planning to play soccer at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. A big part of the draw to the school was that I could play soccer, but I liked the campus and what it has to offer. It’s not in a big city but near a big city. I’m not sure what I’m going to study yet, but probably something in science.
Name: Tyler Swanson
School: Lakeville North
Sports: Football & Basketball
Who is your favorite athlete?
Tiger Woods
If you had to choose one sport, would you play football or basketball?
Football – I love the atmosphere of Friday nights with the crowds, lights and excitement. It’s always been my favorite sport growing up – I loved watching college football on TV.
What positions do you play in each sport?
I am a wide receiver in football and small forward for basketball.
What is the hardest thing about football?
Getting up the courage every day to go out and practice to get better. On rainy days, it’s sometimes hard to get motivated.
What’s the most difficult thing about basketball?
It’s probably staying loose and getting ready for games. There are a lot of games during the season, so I have to stay focused and be positive no matter what our record is.
How do you prepare for your basketball after your football season ends?
Last year was hard because we went far into sections, so I didn’t have much time. Once the football season ends, I go to open gym, shoot and get in shape. The football and basketball “in shape” is very different, so I have to work hard to get in basketball shape after football ends.
How have you balanced the two sports in the summer?
I stay busy - we had lifting for football during the day and I played in basketball leagues at night.
How has playing two sports helped you?
It’s given me experience. It also gets me to do something in both seasons and keeps me out of trouble.
What is the hardest thing about playing sports in back to back seasons?
I’m gone a lot – practice goes until about 5:30 every day so there’s not a lot of time to spend with the family, but that comes with playing two sports.
What is your favorite high school sports memory?
Last year we beat Owatonna 14-7 to win our section and make it to state. We ended up losing to Cretin-Derham Hall in the next game, but it was fun to a part of the state tournament.
Do you have college plans yet?
I’m waiting to see which sport I want to choose and what my options are. I’ve thought about maybe playing football at a Division II college. As far as what I want to study – possibly education, but I haven’t really thought about it much.
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