Playing one sport and keeping good grades may be tough for an average high school student, but doubling up on two varsity sports in the same season and staying on the A honor roll isn’t such a far-fetched idea for senior Marcos Keefe.

Marcos has run cross country for four years, but has played soccer for only three.

 “I chose to do both cross country and soccer because I love both sports so much,” he says. “I grew up always playing soccer and played it my freshman and sophomore year, but then junior year switched to cross country to further my running career. In that year, I missed soccer so much that I knew I had to do both.”

Marcos puts in around 11 hours a week of practices but never feels like he’s taken too much on.

  “In cross country, I can push myself to my limit, and after a race, I feel amazing because I knew I tried my best,” he says. “In soccer, it’s more of a team effort but I can use my speed to prevent the other team’s offense from getting the ball.”

Not only does Marcos play both sports, but he also maintains fantastic grades.

  “I know my education comes first.  My parents always made that a priority.  I’ll be up late doing homework and studying but that’s part of being a student-athlete,” he says.

Marcos plans on attending Marian University to run cross country and track after he graduates.