HERE AT Granger High School, three students earned the Academic All-State award; all of whom happened to all be on Granger’s cross-country team. Academic All-State is an honor awarded to student athletes who succeed both in their sports and in the classroom. To be eligible, students must have a high GPA and demonstrate outstanding athletic performance.

The Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) usually picks these students based on nominations from their schools. This award recognizes their hard work, dedication, and ability to balance academics and athletics.

The students who are awarded Academic All-State can use their achievements on college applications.

Ethan Ostler (12) is one of the three students at Granger High School who earned the Academic All-State award. Ostler learned about his achievement during a friendly encounter in the school halls with his freshman success teacher, who congratulated him on the accomplishment. For many, focusing on schoolwork itself is already very challenging, and yet Ostler was able to maintain outstanding grades alongside super performance in his sport.

Ostler holds himself accountable by knowing exactly what needs to be done and disciplines himself to make the most of his limited time. “It takes a lot of discipline; you know practices could take a lot of time and then going home and doing homework instead of spending a crap ton of time on Instagram and stuff. Which I still do, but I just find time to get homework done,” Ostler said.

Just like many other student athletes, Ostler must figure out ways to balance his personal life with schoolwork, and sports. “I make sure to communicate with my teachers. That’s really the key ‘cause, you know, missing school a bunch, then I just have to keep up on stuff that I missed,” Ostler said. As many athletes may have already discovered, there are many different study methods to stay afloat while prioritizing overall wellbeing.

Paige Meaders (12) was another one of the students who received the ​​Academic All-State award and has a similar strategy to Ostler. “Time management is key,” Meaders said. Just like Ostler, Meaders has already found a strategy that works for her to balance her responsibilities. “I’ve had to practice good time management and make sure I do as much in class as I can. It can be stressful, but when I make a routine it’s easier—like doing homework right when I get home from practice,” Meaders said.

She also sets high standards for herself and does everything in her power to achieve her goals. Meaders has a lot of support from her parents, and the encouragement they give really helps.

Cross country can be a very difficult sport. It is both physically demanding and mentally challenging. Ostler explained how he thinks that cross country is more a mental sport than physical one. He explained how important a good mentality is for student athletes.

“It’s really tough to go out and run miles and miles, but I think that mental endurance is what it takes to do something like make Academic All-State. Of course, Other people are athletes, but yeah, cross country takes a lot of resilience, so we practice that, and I guess it translates well to school,” Ostler said.

Cross country could be a great sport to join at the beginning of the year. Both Ostler and Meaders have been on the team for all four years of high school. They both talked about how they enjoy the bonds they have made through the years on the team, and the intensity it brings to them. “People should join cross country because it’s a fun, but challenging sport. You get to grow mentally and physically in an encouraging environment,” Meaders said.