Choosing Not To Choose: Lily Furrow’s Multi-Sport Success at Galesburg (Part 2)

Today more and more high athletes specialize in just one sport. Often they are pressured by high school coaches, club coaches, travel team coaches, or AAU coaches to focus on just one sport. The message is often,”If you want to get a scholarship, you need to do this sport year-round.”

So athletes become committed to doing one sport for a solid 12 months. Numerous sports psychologists feel this leads to a “burn out” by athletes. And there are “sports trainers” who feel the rise in more injuries by pitchers in baseball and more ACL/achilles injuries in basketball may be the result of 15-16 year old using the same muscles and the same actions in the same sports over and over. 

Lily Furrow, who will be a senior at Galesburg HS is certainly the exception to athletes specializing. Whether she or her parents heard the voices saying just do this sport, she chose not to specialize. If anything, probably Lily’s greatest regret is that there are only 3 sports seasons so she can’t do an 4th sport. 

I had an opportunity to ask Lily, her parents, and her three coaches about her tremendous success and their view of her participation in multi-sports. Part 2 is a “conversation” with her parents and her coaches. 

Dad- Aaron Furrow

Mom- Valerie Haacke Furrow

Swimming Coach- Ray VanHootegem 

Basketball Coach- Lexi Demott

Track Coach- Jody Chapman

Assistant Basketball and Strength Coach- Jim Noonan

Massey- So often today, we hear stories about athletes who decide that they need to specialize in one sport. People will tell athletes that- “If you want to get a scholarship,” “you could win state if,” or even “you could go pro if”.  As parents, what went into the decision to allow her and/or encourage her to do three sports?

Aaron Furrow (Dad)- Sports were important to me when I was in high school.  I was lucky enough to have some success, and I fed off that.  When you grow up in the middle of a corn field, you might as well do all the extracurricular things you can so you can be with your buddies.  I was able to look back at the sports and the mentors that coached me.  Not only were they hard on us, but they cared more about us being respectable young men that represented our community.  My coaches and mentors instilled characteristics that I still hold and hopefully exhibit today.  They only wanted the best for me.  They showed us adversity, commitment, failure, success, time management, comradery, hard work, how to lead, how to lift others when they are down, teamwork, one is not better than all, toughness, and many more.  If my kids get half of what I got our of sports they will be better off!  For those reasons, we encourage and support as much as possible.  Lily is built a little different.  Her drive is tremendous.  She does not like to fail.  She works her tail off. She likes to compete.  Why not let her do everything she possibly can. 

Valerie Haacke Furrow (Mom)- It was never really an option.  We were both three sport athletes and the benefits of being that are just too great.  Starting at 5 Lily was active in youth sports.  She just always wanted to be doing something.  She would get bored otherwise.  As she got older, she found a love for each sport and didn't want to give it up.  Going into her freshman year of high school and throughout the entire year she swam.  By the end of the school year she was getting burned out.  We knew then that she needed a break and competing in other sports allowed that along with bringing back that love of being in the water.

 

Massey- Did you hear "voices" from other parents or coaches telling you that Lily should focus her attention into just one or two sports? How did you respond to these "voices."

 

Aaron Furrow (Dad)- We do hear some of those voices.  When others speak, they know what Lily has is pretty special.  They also know how much more potential she has if she could focus on one sport.  We all know each sport suffers a little because of the overlap and time commitments each sport takes.  Just because we have heard these voices doesn’t mean they don’t support her 100% and want her to be successful.  Each coach has been willing to allow her to do what is best for her and the team.  It takes continuous communication to make sure she is where she needs to be.  All coaches have been flexible for Lily.  All coaches have put in extra effort and extra time to be able to accommodate her busy schedule.  All coaches have been extremely supportive.    For that, we are thankful!

Valerie Haacke Furrow (Mom)- We did some, but thankful that we never listened to them.  Are there benefits to specializing as you get older, yes probably.  But we believe that the benefits of being a multi-sport athlete are greater.  You are only in high school for 4 short years. Being able to experience all the highs and lows, bonding with teammates, gaining knowledge and life lessons from each coach, and just life long memories is something that every person should have.  Every college visit that we went on last year, Lily was the only recruit that was still in 3 sports.  The other recruits were focused only on swim since high school began and their times were comparable.  To me, which athlete has more room to improve.  The one that has specialized or the one that will now be able to spend all her time focuses on just that one sport?  

 

Massey- How has being in three sports helped her athletically? For example do you feel you are better at basketball because you run track, or that you are better at swimming because you play basketball?

 

Aaron Furrow (Dad)- Absolutely!  We noticed a big change in her freshman year.  Swim is her #1.  She was a nice-sized girl in the pool.  After her first year of being fully invested in the girl’s basketball program we saw Lily continually gaining strength.  As the years have gone by, she is constantly getting stronger.  Swim is a very repetitive movement in the water.  We believe doing something different will help strengthen different muscles and in turn make her stronger in the water.  Lily’s legs are her driver.  Basketball and track work with her legs differently.  Yes, Lily has seen success in all 3 sports because she is doing all 3.  Each sport has something to offer to make her a well-rounded student athlete. 

Valerie Haacke Furrow (Mom)- We have definitely seen how basketball has increased her strength.  From the lifting to all the jumping she is more powerful.  The cardio that swimming involves helps with running.  She is able to recover quicker between each repetition.  And the mental aspect is huge.  

 

Massey- Her sports are so different. In basketball it is a team sport where everyone is on the floor at the same time. Swimming and track, while you can be on relays, they are mainly individual sports. How has it helped her growth and development as a person to have these different experiences?

 

Aaron Furrow (Dad)- Basketball is all about the team.  Everyone must get along and work together for the team to be successful.  Even though Swimming and track seem to be more individualistic, I still feel there is a huge team drive in each sport.  Ray and Jody work their meet schedules so that the team is successful.  They will align the best athlete to be in the best position to help the team.  The coaches can simulate the meets and see how points could possibly line up with making a team win.  Swim and track do have individual events, but ultimately, they need everyone to do their job to score points for the team.  Inner drive is a characteristic that is needed when you are constantly racing against yourself.  Our swim and track teams do not have the numbers or depth that a lot of other teams have.  Due to those reasons, we need every event to score their points individually but also for the team.  

Valerie Haacke Furrow (Mom)- Swimming and Track is you against the clock.  Yes, you race against other girls, but you also are racing against your last PR.  You have to be able to push yourself through the pain, the fatigue, and the muscles tightening up.  Mentally, your mind tells you you are tired but your body is able to keep going.  You have to be able to push through that.  Lily has been able to work on that mental toughness.  She has also grown as a leader.  Her work ethic is unmatched.  She is going to give 100%.  This has transferred into the classroom and her everyday life.  

 

 

Massey- There are a lot of time demands on you, especially in the summer. How has she succeeded in balancing her schedule and making things work? How do her coaches help her make things work?

 

Aaron Furrow (Dad)- Lily is super busy.  June sucks.  Luckily, she has her license now and she can transport herself to and from her activities.  Her typical day starts at 6:30 with swim.  Right after swim, she runs to basketball.  After basketball she will get a little rest.  Most days basketball will have camps or league games.  It is very challenging.  Without the hectic schedule, Lily would not be as good as she is.  Is it tough?  Yes!  Is it rewarding? Absolutely!  Is it tiring?  Without a doubt.  On top of her activities, she swims USA.  She will attend summer swim meets.  She will be in Minnesota for the Speedo Sectional meet in the near future. 

Valerie Haacke Furrow (Mom)- Communication is huge.  All her coaches have been understanding and have allowed her to find a way to fit everything in.  June is the hardest month because of summer basketball, but also the start of conditioning for the upcoming swim season.  She has been able to work out a schedule that allows her to get in her swim workout and then also get to basketball.  It just means that her mornings start a lot earlier.  During the school year, each coach has supported her and has never once pressured her to start a new season before she was finished with her current season.  They have also been very excited about the success has had.  

 

Massey- Lily is not an "average" in swimming, basketball, or track. Thru three years, she has performed at an elite level in all three sports. As an outsider looking in, as parents you have been able to balance supporting and encouraging Lily, without becoming that sports parent who becomes demanding and consumed. What have you done to try to maintain a healthy balance of support without pressuring?

 

Aaron Furrow (Dad)- Promote and support in a positive way!  We give tough love.  We speak truths.  We do not waste energy on things we cannot be in control of.  We constantly say, “the easiest thing you can do is work Hard?”  I won’t lie, there are times when we remind Lily, “you should think about getting in the water.”  During basketball and track, the time commitments to each team is huge.  It takes a special person to find the time needed to stay in the water when nobody is looking.  Lily’s unwavering dedication to every season is crazy.  Being there and being present for her is huge.  She might not say it, but she would miss my loudmouth if I were not able to attend the activity.  We always support with positivity.  Ultimately, she has made this choice.  We get just 4 short years to watch and ride the excitement of what she does. 

Valerie Haacke Furrow (Mom)- We try to listen to her.  There are times that she is just exhausted.  It's finding that balance of knowing when we need to push her through it and when is it time to take a little break.  We give her support in anyway that we need to.  It is hard sometimes to keep quiet, but my goal is for her to love what she is doing and I know if I push too hard she could lose that.

 

Massey- As parents, as you watch Lily compete, what are you most proud of? From this athletic experience, what do you hope Lily will take with her as an adult?

 

Aaron Furrow (Dad)- Pride, carrying yourself with a high regard of what she stands for.  Understanding that life does suck sometimes, but it is what we make of it in that bad time that will define your person.  Her unwavering dedication and drive she has to be the best she can!  I love watching the reward of hard work.  Having success makes everything easier.  If Lily can continue her character and hard-working attitude, she will have a great career, be a loving supporting wife/mother.  She has had to battle with adversity.  How she delt with it has showed her true colors.  We couldn’t be more proud of her and her work ethic.  Not only in sports.  She is in the top 10 of her class for academics.  She works hard at everything she does. 

Valerie Haacke Furrow (Mom)- I'm proud of her commitment, her dedication, work ethic and drive.  She has been very fortunate to see a lot of success and she is proud of that, but she is also humble.  I have had many parents come up to me and say what a great role model Lily is, or how nice she is, or how she tries to make everyone feel included.  Lily becoming a person that everyone respects is something that I'm very proud of her for.   I'm also very proud of how she handles failure.  She is one of the most mentally tough athletes that I have seen or coached.  My hope is that she will be able to take all these experiences into adulthood and become just as successful.

Massey- Speaking as the swim coach with a very talented swimmer, is it good for an athlete to be a multi-sport athlete?

VanHootegem- In High school at least...I think  doing sports in other seasons is great...enjoyment of the over high school experience will be greater..more friends......also helps deter the burn out statement.

Massey- Does one sport help an athlete in another sport?

VanHootegem- I think each sport enhances the athlete it is own unique way as well works different muscle groups. Plus mixing up coaching styles keeps it all fresh.

Massey- What makes Lily so successful?

VanHootegem- Sehe is a top athlete in swimming because of her work ethic and coachabilty. She also understands not every race will be her best...learn from each race.

Massey- How is Lily a leader for the swim team?

VanHootegem- Lily treats everyone on her team with class and respect. We are looking forward to Lily having a great senior year. 

Massey- From your perspective as a basketball coach, has it helped Lily doing multi-sports?

Demott- I absolutely think athletically has given herself an advantage. There is a lot that comes with being a successful athlete. Lily taking part in 2 other sports that are a bit more individual based her mental toughness is top notch. Lily has proven on the court being unsized in the post will not stop her and she mentally can work through it. She has started to develop as a more vocal leader and helping her teammates through moments as well. I think her other two sports have given Lily a motor that doesn’t quit. Lily will push through for as long as you need her to do so. You don’t see many HS athletes willing to do that. 

Massey- What makes Lily be so successful?

Demott- Well I think you can refer back to my #1 answer for some of this, but Lily has made a commitment to be successful in all of the sports she does. It’s clear that Lily has taken coaching from all 3 sports and got to work. I will still go back to the mental side of things though because that’s an area that can be really tough for HS athletes and high pressure situations. All 3 of Lily’s coaches have bought into the weight room side of things. I go back to a story that Coach Noonan told me about Lily during Track season. They were getting close to State or Sectionals so lifting was really slowing down. Lily made the comment to him that mentally she needed to lift for her body to be ready. For her as a HS athlete to know that about herself and know that’s what she needed to get her best is huge! So Lily lifted as she normally would and stuck to what she knew. 

Massey- How does Lily lead?

Demott- Lily’s humbling work ethic. Lily knows she is an athlete, but won’t cut corners. Lily is someone we can count on to make sure everyone is doing what they need to be doing. Lily will go just as hard in practice as she does in a game. This then makes everyone else work harder or push themselves.

Lily isn’t scared to set the tone. She isn’t worried about what others are going to think of her playing hard. We as coaches know when Lily is in the gym or on the court she’s giving us her best. It’s something so simple, but she raises the level of competitiveness in practices by doing this. She then pushes herself and her teammates to get better. 

Massey- Does it help or hurt an athlete to not specialize?

Chapman- I feel athletes that do more than one sport are well rounded.  Each sport strengthens differently adding to overall strength.  Lily finds passion for each sport she competes in.  Lily has put her faith in her high school coaches and doesn’t have time for clubs.  

Massey- What makes Lily successful athletically?

Chapman- Lily loves to compete and wants to be the best.   She enjoys both aspects of team or individual.  She won triple jump at a big meet and runs to tell me Coach I got 10 points for the team.  She is one to cheer others on even from other teams.  She recognizes a good performance and always congratulates who ever on their performance.  I appreciate that characteristic about her.

Lily is a born competitor.  In track she studies her events and performances seeking ways to improve.  She is a student combined with her grit sets her apart from others.

Massey- How does Lily lead her team?

Chapman- Lily is all about doing the right thing and no short cuts.  She works extremely hard and encourages others to follow.  She sets the tone in practice which has played a part in our teams success.  Outside of her serious demeanor she also likes to have fun and is fun to be around.

Massey- What makes Lily a special athlete?

Noonan- She is elite in terms of commitment and she is never looking for an easy way out or a short cut. 

I have had the good fortune of working with Lilly as both a teacher and a coach during her 3 years at GHS.  I have always been extremely impressed with her work ethic, her goal-driven approach to everything she does and her toughness, both mentally and physically.  If Lilly wants to accomplish something, she is going to do everything in her power to put herself in the best possible position to get it done.  She is also a really good kid who is a leader in the hallways and the classroom.  She sets a terrific example for our younger students with high aspirations to follow.  

As far as Sport Training class goes, it should come as no surprise that Lilly is a very hard worker who refuses to look for shortcuts or reasons to avoid training.  As a 3 sport athlete, Lilly doesn’t have the luxury of training hard out of season, and beginning an “in-season” program when her season comes around.  Therefore with Lilly, and all of our in-season athletes, we try to structure things to where at the start of the season the focus is a bit more on accumulation with submaximal intensities, with higher volume and more time under tension.  As the season progresses, the volume of sets and reps decreases, but the intent remains high during the movements.  Nearing the end of the season, we enter a taper phase and hope to have the athletes feeling explosive, strong and healthy as they enter the championship portion of their seasons.  All the while, we are monitoring the athletes and talking to their coaches in regards to how they are feeling both physically and mentally, as well as how they are performing in their respective sports.

The refreshing thing about student-athletes like Lilly is that they rarely, if ever seek the easy way out.  There’s no doubt that there are days that she doesn’t feel like putting in the work, be it in the pool, the gym, the track or the weight room.  However, her mental toughness gives her the ability to push through and consistently do what needs to be done to be successful.  Lilly understands the big picture as well as any kid I get to work with.  It’s not happenstance that she is having such a terrific career as a Silver Streak. 

Choosing Not to Choose (Part 1) was Lily Furrow talking about playing multi-sports. If you missed Part 1- just click below…

Choosing Not to Choose (Part 1)