Being a student-athlete is tricky. Managing school on top of practices, games, work and making time for a social life takes balance.

Athletes have to make certain sacrifices, and some have decided to remove the title of “athlete” altogether.

It’s tough, especially as a senior, to give up something you’ve worked hard for. But there’s always a motive.

One common motive: burnout.

Senior London Jabber had played volleyball for three years when she decided to end her career after junior year.

“I decided to not continue playing because I realized with graduating a semester early,” Jabber said. “I would have to make sacrifices that the rest of my class wouldn’t have to make, and it would’ve been selfish to not 100% have my heart in it.”

Another example is senior Laini Gedenberg, who had been on the cross country team for two years before she left. She was running six days a week, adding up to about 30 to 40 miles per week.

“I stopped running when I realized it wasn’t worth it for me anymore,” Gedenberg said. “It wasn’t worth the constant pain, stress and pressure of having to do well, and being a senior and having to balance that with other extracurriculars like school and church.”

Students really do have to give up things they love to prioritize their time and other commitments.

Senior Dante Grayson was a running back on the football team for three years before deciding to stop his senior year. He doesn’t regret his decision, saying he has more time to focus on other interests.

“I have more recovery time in the gym and I can lift longer to get stronger,” Grayson said.

There are definitely benefits for these students, giving them more time to focus on themselves.

“The mental health of a student-athlete is the most overlooked aspect of high school sports,” Jabber said. “However, through the process of learning these lessons of life, they will experience a mental downfall. All in all, whichever perspective you have, senior burnout is real.”