Sahill Yadav: Scholar Athlete

By Ashley Hazan

  Every year Bethpage Federal Credit Union searches for a student who shows tremendous work ethic and progress both in athletics and academics. This year, Oyster Bay Senior Sahill Yadav has been awarded the title of Scholar Athlete. When interviewed by one of OB’s own, Sahill humbly stated, “Once I found out I would be selected for this prestigious award, I was thrilled. I’m thankful for my parents, teachers, and coaches who supported me along the way. I will still continue to train and work hard.”
     High school is difficult for everyone, in varying degrees. Whether it’s schoolwork, tests, or the dreaded ACT/SAT, high school students face hardships every day. For an individual to take on a heavier workload is not an impossible task, but one many students struggle to balance. 

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     ​Sahill is the valedictorian for this year’s graduating class. He participates in both soccer and track, earning outstanding records. He also does his fair share of community service while winning titles for his Mock Trial Club. What other students perceive as “biting off more than you can chew,” Sahill sees as a challenge to better himself as a student, an athlete and a person.   “Soccer has instilled in me the value of teamwork. I try to inculcate that in my day-to-day activities by acknowledging that everyone has a role to play,” Sahill says.
     So, how does he do it all? “Finding that perfect balance between academia and athletics was extremely difficult. I learned to prioritize my time.”
     And while Sahill makes many of his activities look effortless, he understands first-hand the hardships that come with success. He has faced both injuries and conflicts, but it is the way he chooses to handle his problems that makes him a Scholar Athlete. Sahill stated, “It’s always hard to deal with injuries. Injuries are difficult not because of pain, but because of my inability to preform to my best standards. Handling pressure is also a big factor. I try to look past the pressure and just focus on the moment.”
     To limit his stress, every day Sahill makes an effort to practice a yoga routine. Not only does it calm his mind, but it helps provide him with “the strength needed to play sports.”
    As soccer season comes to an end, Sahill continues to strive for success. He shows nothing but constant dedication to his classwork and extracurriculars, and he has even shared a few of his goals for the upcoming track season. “My fastest hundred-meter dash time was 11.7 seconds, and I plan to beat my personal best by one second this year.”
      Sahill added, “You should not worry about the outcome. Always practice to achieve your best. It’s really important to set personal goals in anything you do. Whether it’s academics or sports, having a preseason plan gives you something to look forward to. Setting high yet realistic goals is essential to the start of a great season.”
     As Sahill wraps up his senior year at Oyster Bay High School, he can reflect on these months of hard work and triumph with pride.