Participating in sports in high school can build character and help students learn time management, responsibility, how to prioritize work, good sportsmanship and teamwork. It also looks good when colleges see students have been active in extra-curricular activities, such as sports. This is what makes junior Tiffany Atud’s participation in sports for 14 consecutive years so impressive.

Atud has participated in sports since kindergarten and hasn’t gone a year without staying active in one or more sports.

“I started doing sports as soon as I was eligible for it. I started playing soccer when I was in kindergarten. I started running track at age nine, volleyball at 12 and at eight for taekwondo. The other sports that I did in my life were really minor to me even though I did them for several years,” said Atud.

When Atud enrolled in the Academy in the seventh grade, she immediately went out for school sports. She is now in her fifth year of participation for track and third year for volleyball for the Academy.

Atud was part of the effort that won Sacred Hearts first place in the sprint medley while also breaking the record that had stood since 1980. Atud also placed 17th in the girls’ long jump at a 2011 Maui championship and 20th for the 100-meter dash.

To train for the track season, Atud does preseason training with her dad from October to February when track season starts. She lifts weights and runs track.

“Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are considered my ‘hard days’ because of the training I do. Tuesdays and Thursdays aren’t that easy, but they’re easier than the other three days. Other than that, I just do a lot of running on my free time and try to keep my metabolism up,” said Atud.

Although she may not get a lot of extra time to spend with her friends and family due to her constant activity in athletics, she feels she has benefitted greatly. Her sports keep her in shape and give her opportunities that may not have been possible without sports.

Atud is currently participating in track and volleyball; however, she plans on doing taekwondo once track season ends.

“It’s hard being a student athlete. It can be a handful, but I got used to it after a while. My coaches always tell me that my school is always first and if I get bad grades, then I won’t be able to participate. That’s why I keep my grades high. Not only to make my coaches and parents proud, but also myself,” said Atud.

After she graduates from high school, Atud hopes to go to a Division One college on a track and field scholarship. Beyond that, she hopes to make it to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.