The iron man and woman: an athlete who participated in twelve straight seasons of athletics, with each year broken down into three seasons over the course of a Sequoit’s four years of high school. While many athletes get burned out during the four years, oftentimes forgoing playing all three seasons as they progress in their high school careers, the iron athletes rose above their teammates to pursue sports year-round. For the class of 2016, three boys are nominated for the Iron Man award: Nathan Borries, Stephen Frandsen and Dylan McBride; and two girls will receive the Iron Woman award: Alexis Duehr and Annie Horner.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty hard,” Borries said. “Ultimately, I have to take every opportunity I have to get my school work done. Whether it is a study hall, lunch or the bus ride to the game, taking advantage of every possible second I can to get my school work done allows me to balance school and sports.”

For Duehr, being able to play three sports for the past four years has always been a goal for her.

“My freshman year I set a goal for myself to win the Iron Woman award,” Duehr said. “Always being in season makes me feel more involved with the school, rather than just showing up to school everyday.”

Many of these athletes have had a huge impact on the success of the Antioch athletic program over the past four years, with numerous regional championships split among these athletes.

Horner has impacted the tennis team as they have won numerous championships over the past couple years. Borries helped the boys basketball team win their first regional championship in twenty years. Duehr lead the girls basketball team to three regional titles. Frandsen and McBride both helped the wrestling team to win three out of their past four regionals.

McBride has been a part of the football, wrestling and track and field teams over the past four years and has won numerous championships in wrestling.

“Wrestling has been my favorite sport over the past four years,” McBride said. “I had an amazing coach that would not only prepare us to wrestle, but also prepare us for life.”

Horner has been able to play three sports every year because she likes to stay active, while also being a member of the ACHS drumline.

“I’ve always been really busy, so playing sports helps the school year go by quicker,” Horner said. “I kind of like the challenge of balancing everything.”

The hardest part to playing three sports every year is the dedication to playing. The challenge of keeping their grades up, while still excelling at the sport at hand. Playing three sports in one year is a lot of time and dedication to doing that sport. It gives the athletes less free time, but they all still excel in the classroom and in their sport. Being nominated for this award is a huge honor to these five athletes.

“It is cool to be nominated for something that barely no one else does,” Frandsen said.