Junior Taylor Gaston excels in three varsity sports. She dedicates her fall to the dive team, the winter to gymnastics, and the spring to soccer. Taylor not only devotes her time to her sports and school work, but she also maintains her social life as well. As the calendar turns to fall school, Taylor reflects on how she is able to create balance between academic responsibilities, athletic commitments, and her personal life, offering valuable insights to other student-athletes. 

Have you experienced any difficulties transitioning between sports throughout all three seasons? 

Last year was my first year playing all three sports at a varsity level. My sports are all back to back so I don’t get much of a break. I have been on the Varsity Gymnastics Team and the Dive Team since my freshman year. The switch from diving to gymnastics is a bit easier for me since I’m already accustomed to flipping, but transitioning from gymnastics to soccer is a big change. Trying out for Varsity Soccer last year was scary. I struggled to build up my endurance for soccer after a long season of strictly strength-focused conditioning. After making the team, I worked really hard at every practice to get used to playing soccer at a varsity level.

How do you prioritize your tasks and commitments when you have multiple responsibilities to manage? 

School always comes first. Although I care a lot about how I perform, I put the most effort into my academics so that my grades are a reflection of my effort. I focus on working really hard at practices so that it pays off during competitions or in games. On days that I know I have a lot of school work to get done, I usually make a checklist and like to take on one task at a time. I usually start with the hardest assignment. This is helpful in case I don’t get to the whole list, I can finish the easier and less time-consuming tasks during study hall. I use my study halls very wisely and get a lot of my homework done so I don’t have too much at night after practices.

Do you stick to a daily routine? If so, what does it consist of?

I have a pretty consistent routine. In the fall, I have diving practice straight after school which usually ends around five. When I get home, I take a shower right away and I try to rest for about 30 minutes before I start homework. I try my best not to procrastinate so that I can get everything done. My schoolwork takes me about three to four hours. Before bed I try to spend as little time on my phone so I can get enough hours of sleep. Even though I like having a daily routine, I try my best to stay flexible so that unexpected changes don’t stress me out and I can easily adjust my schedule.

What support systems do you rely on? How have your family and friends influenced you?

I would say I am a very family-oriented person. My family is always very supportive of my school and sports. My parents try their best to never miss a sporting event and they are always there to uplift me if I have a bad performance. Having this strong support system at home has helped me so much during high school. My friends are another major part of my life. I try to spend most of my free time hanging out with them. One way we all help each other succeed is by studying together. It makes it so much more fun and I find it helpful to teach someone else the material so that it registers in my head.

How do you manage your stress when you are pressured to succeed academically, compete in sports, and spend quality time with loved ones? 

At times I can get super overwhelmed. Everyone manages their stress differently. Throughout high school I have learned that it is so important to figure out which strategies work best for you. Whenever I get overwhelmed with sports and school, I try to focus on the things in my life that I can control like making sure I am getting enough sleep at night and taking much needed breaks. I also tend to lean on my friends and family for encouragement.

Do you recommend LFHS students to get involved with different sports programs offered here? 

I one hundred percent recommend LFHS students to join sports. Being on a sports team at LFHS can help you create so many new friendships including some in different grades. Many of my teammates are now also my close friends and have been great role models for me. I also believe sports teach you a lot of valuable life lessons. Like how to work well with others, persist through challenges, and stay consistent.

What are your thoughts on how the girls’ sports teams are represented at Lake Forest High School and in the media?

I believe that Lake Forest High School takes pride not only in academics but also in athletics. However, I’ve noticed that diving doesn’t get much coverage. In the past two years, there hasn’t been a single photo of any divers in the yearbook. Many sports get a great deal of media attention in The Forest Scout. However, I have seen a lot more media coverage on the boys’ teams which can be a little disappointing. More media coverage on female sports would be great so we can get bigger crowds to cheer us on.

What advice would you give to freshmen about maintaining a healthy lifestyle while being involved in sports?

To maintain a healthy lifestyle, one thing I would recommend freshmen to do is to try to find a balance between their academics, athletics, and with friends & family. A key to this is to not overwhelm yourself or put too much pressure on yourself especially during your first year in high school. All you can do is your best. I would recommend freshmen to try out for any sport they’re interested in because freshman year is the perfect time to try new things to find what you enjoy.