Written by Justine Baskey
University students are no stranger to the necessity of multi-tasking in order to stay in school, have a social life, keep a part-time job, and many other activities or responsibilities. Even more familiar with the necessity of good multi-tasking skills are student-athletes who find time to do school, train for their respective sport, and compete.
Jason Diston and Dustin McCrank take this juggling act to a new level. These two men are among the athletes who take part in not one, but two varsity sports at the University of Guelph. Some call them crazy, others know how they feel, but no matter what your viewpoint, you have to admire them for the dedication.
First-year students may find it daunting to come to university, but Diston puts them all to shame. Recently, Diston won the men’s pentathlon at the OUA track and field championships, and he is also a receiver on the Gryphons football team.
“Out of all of the difficulties, I would say juggling school and two sports is the most challenging task I have ever had to face,” said Diston, a first-year student himself. “I probably spend, at the minimum, six hours a day training or doing something related to either football or track.”
Similarily, McCrank finds himself with a full plate. Not only does he play for the Gryphon men’s rugby team, but he is also an All-Canadian weight thrower with the track and field team. Originally, McCrank was recruited to Guelph to play hockey, and although he no longer plays on the varsity team, he is a hockey officiator in both the OHL and OHA.
“While on my recruit visit with Jeff Reid, the former hockey coach, I met [Gryphons track and field head coach] Dave Scott-Thomas and let him know that I had thrown shot put and hammer in high school, so he told me to come see him when I arrived in September. I competed in both sports my first year at Guelph,” said McCrank. “I found myself missing the team aspect of hockey. I had some buddies on the rugby team at the time, and they encouraged me to come out for the team in the fall.”
Not only do these men play a juggling act with school and sports, but they also have to deal with the balance of two different types of training
“My training schedule is extremely time consuming,” said Diston. “Someone who plays one sport has only one training program. For me, I have two totally different weight lifting and technical training [programs].
“During this track season, I still try to do as much of the football training as possible. But training for two varsity sports every day is definitely not an easy task, especially if you want to excel in both.”
Though McCrank finds that his seasons work well in relation to one another, he too admits to the difficulties he finds in two different training styles.
“It is a challenge,” said McCrank. “In the throws, you are training for that one explosive moment each time you step into the circle; heavy lifting, explosive stuff. In rugby, it is 80 minutes of fitness and strength and knowledge, a lot of reps, running, thinking.”
Both men admitted to being avid participants in many sports since childhood. McCrank also played volleyball and soccer, while Diston boasts of a love for basketball, which he wishes he could fit in his schedule. Neither felt they could choose between the two sports they take part in and are prepared to keep working at a fast and full pace, despite all odds.
“It is extremely exhausting, both physically and mentally, to be at the top of two sports,” admitted Diston. “I’m finding that out the hard way [in] my first year. All the extra time you put in makes a difference, and you will be rewarded.”
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