Athlete of the Week: Billy Hegarty is a Three-Sport Machine

Senior Billy Hegarty is the type of student-athlete who wants to get the maximum out of life. Throughout his high school campaign, Hegarty has competed in three sports (lacrosse, swimming, and cross country) and quickly realized that each sport demands a unique blend of skills. From running multiple sprints during cross country practice, to timing flip turns during the 100-meter freestyle and backstroke, Hegarty has to combine speed, strength, and agility to perform at his very best.

However, a good athlete is more than just a sum of these attributes. One must also bring something beyond the average. What separates Hegarty from the rest of the competition is that he looks at failed attempts and tries to get it right. In other words, the Tomahawk wants to win, but more than anything, he wants to get better, too. 

You play three different sports at a very high level. What are some of the important lessons you learned?

One lesson I’ve learned from playing three very different sports is that sports aren’t meant to be fun and easy all the time. It's no fun doing sprints after lacrosse practices or doing tough sets during swimming, but the reality is that's how you get better. I've learned how to ignore the little voice in my head that says 'oh this is too difficult, I can't do it' and grit my teeth and try my best during every exercise. Another important lesson I learned is that there will always be athletes who are more talented than me. In cross country and swimming, sports in which players compete as individuals on a team, I would often become frustrated when I did not win a race, or even score points for my team. However, I learned that as long as I was doing my personal best and always striving to achieve my goals, then I was helping my team.

Do you ever grapple with pre-game jitters? If so, which sport in particular?

I used to get nervous before lacrosse games. However, as the season went on, I became more confident in my stick skills as well as the abilities of my teammates. Knowing that I could rely on myself as well as my teammates to run plays in lacrosse definitely eased my pre-game jitters.

As a swimmer, what goes through your mind before you start a race?

I try not to think about too much before races. I concentrate on minor details, like streamlining off of the dive, how many breaths I will take, and making sure I do my flip turns correctly. I don't think about things like how fast the other swimmers are, or how my race will impact the score of the meet, because I know that neither of those things matter if I do my best during the race.

Aside from swimming and cross country, the sport of lacrosse presents its own unique style of play. The game is fast-paced and full of action. What do you enjoy most about playing lacrosse?

One thing I really enjoy about lacrosse is how many different styles of play there are.  Some lacrosse players are all about finesse, trying to do fancy dodges all the time, while others just try to bull their way up the field. Some players on our team are notorious for being sneaky around the cage!

What has been your favorite game or event this year and why?

So far this year, my favorite event has been the Leagues meet for swim team. I enjoyed this meet more than any other because I finally achieved my own personal goals that I had set early in the season. Also, this meet was very important to myself and my teammates because many different swimmers from the team qualified for the sectional and state meets. I know my teammates have been working hard all season to get these times, and I was glad to see that they were finally rewarded for their efforts. I am very proud to be on a team with such motivated individuals. Everyone's hard work has truly paid off.

Can you describe a funny moment you shared with a team during a bus trip?

Team bus rides have always been fun for all sports. Certain events, like one coach's comments before a game against Hingham, are great memories that I would rather not go into detail about. One of my favorite memories from cross country bus rides are freshman interviews, in which the upperclassmen would invite members of the freshman class to sit in the back with the seniors for a ride. It was a great opportunity to ask them various questions and create strong bonds between the young athletes and the older team leaders.

What professional athlete do you model yourself after?

I have not modeled myself after any one professional athlete in particular. Instead, I have tried to observe and emulate certain positive qualities I saw in athletes from many different sports, like Michael Jordan, Kyle Harrison, and others. These qualities, like giving your all on and off the field and giving back to the community, have helped me become an effective team player and leader in school. More importantly, following the example of positive role models has helped me become a role model to younger players. 

What is your opinion on the controversy that started to swirl over Olympian Michael Phelps?

I think the controversy over compromising photos of Michael Phelps illustrated the importance of always thinking before you act. Also, the controversy proves that just because an athlete like Mr. Phelps is an Olympian representing our country, he is not subject to any special treatment. Finally, the negative consequences of his actions reminded myself as well as other athletes around the country the importance of staying away from drugs and alcohol. Coaches have always warned us of the dangers of using these substances. Not only in terms of losing eligibility to compete in sports, but also in terms of quality of life and health. The controversy of Michael Phelps' use of drugs showed just how much trouble could arise from using drugs.