As students come into high school, they join different sports and clubs to see what they enjoy best. For most, they find one sport and stick with it all four years. However, for senior Linnea Applequist, the extracurricular process is a little different. Applequist is involved in girls tennis, basketball and soccer, where she serves as a captain for all three, as well as Pickle Ball Club, NHS and Visual Arts. She has been a crucial member of these teams and clubs since her freshman year. Along with all these activities, she has earned Senior Athlete of the Year.

Applequist starts off the fall and the new academic year playing tennis, and has proved to be an important member of the team. Throughout her four years of high school, she has made meaningful relationships, such as with her tennis coach Ben Grais.

“Linnea doesn’t get down on herself, she has told me before, you can’t get down on yourself, which is something that shows,” Grais said. “It’s a pleasure being able to coach her. She has positive energy all the time, even at practice. She is a quiet leader, she leads by example when she’s on the court and even at practice. She is passionate and she cares, and she wants to be better for herself and make the team better.”

For some, balancing all these activities can be stressful and nerve-racking, but Applequist has found a way to manage her grades as well as being a good team member.

“I started out nervous about how I would be able to balance school, sports and a social life,” Applequist said. “It became very tiring to make sure I was ready for the next season by the time one came to a close and it was especially hard on my mind and body. However, I knew I wanted to play three sports in high school as sports are a big part of my life. There is definitely a learning curve, but it was worth it for me.”

Being a leader and a good teammate is crucial when playing a sport. Making sure athletes have a bond with their team is something that helps the season go by more smoothly, which is exactly what Applequist has done during her time at West. Senior Claire Georgees comments on what it’s like having Applequist on a team.

“On the field, Linnea is a great teammate and captain as she is always able to think positively even when things aren’t going our way and is able to keep our players’ confidence up by always encouraging rather than bringing them down,” Georgees said. “Off the field, her pep talks before the game bring everyone in the mindset to play for each other.”

Being a good teammate and balancing all these commitments for all four years is challenging. It may seem impossible, but Applequist has advice for underclassmen who may want to participate in multiple sports and clubs.

“Stick through it even when it gets busy and tiring,” Applequist said. “Playing multiple sports has taught me things that I would have never learned without it. Even if you feel inexperienced in a new sport, keep practicing because the coaches at West are amazing and are always willing to help … I have come out of high school both a better athlete, leader and person, and it’s all thanks to the opportunities I had while participating in three sports,” Applequist said.

Applequist plans on continuing her academic career at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities to study Industrial Design.