Three-Sport Athlete Provides Leadership For Peers

Nursing a shoulder strain, Mead athlete Alisha Simchuk visited her doctor.

“He said that maybe I should concentrate on one or two sports,” she said. “I just looked at him and said, ‘No way.”’

That is the essence of Simchuk, the increasingly rare high school athlete who participates in three different sports. She plays volleyball in the fall, competes in gymnastics in winter, and runs track in the spring.

“If I had to quit one,” she said. “I couldn’t choose.” Her effort and dedication to all three isn’t lost on her peers or coaches.

She was voted captain of both Mead’s volleyball team, which finished third at the state tournament, and gymnastics team. She also has been voted most improved in gymnastics and most inspirational in both.

Gymnastics mentor Laurie Ticknor says that, although Simchuk has been a role player in all sports, her value and leadership cannot be overstated.

“She is very important to our programs,” she said. “If you take her out of gymnastics it would make a huge difference.”

Her gymnastics success is a by-product of her three-sport participation, said Ticknor.

“She is one of the most disciplined athletes I’ve had and you’re not a three-sport athlete unless you’re disciplined,” she said. “The two go hand-in-hand.”

It gives her a feel for each sport that perhaps a specialist doesn’t have, added Simchuk.

“Some people who compete in one sport don’t understand coaching strategy or work ethic,” said Simchuk. “If you are in more than one, you understand how things are supposed to be.”

Initially, Simchuk played only volleyball. She began running track in eighth grade and came to gymnastics in ninth grade.

Over the past three years her volleyball teams have twice made districts and this year were regional champions and reached the state semifinals.

Simchuk’s court awareness, said coach Judy Kight, earned her a spot in the starting lineup and honorable mention all-GSL.

Unique to someone who has not competed in club gymnastics, she’s twice been a district and regional qualifier and last year participated in state.

“Alisha’s an athlete,” said Ticknor. “If you have one walk in, I guarantee she’ll have what it takes to make an impact in the GSL.”

In track she has been seventh twice in the district 100 meters and once in the 200 meters and was an alternate on Panther state qualifying relay teams.

“Last year I broke my toe in gymnastics and couldn’t get in top condition (for track),” Simchuk said. “This year will be different.”

During her senior year, Simchuk has competed despite the fact that her father, Terry, is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor and her mother is currently on leave from her District 81 teaching position.

“Some days,” she said. “I’d think, ‘Gosh, I can’t handle it.’ But everyone is so supportive.”

And it hasn’t prevented her from providing her team leadership.

“I’m humbled, but glad people look up to me,” she said. “I try to give 100 percent every day, stay positive and get others to stay positive, too.”

That, she said, is a by-product of her background in three different sports.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo