Titan Top Three highlights three of the most impactful athletes in South sports, chosen by the sports editors. This issue’s Titan Top Three features freshman Teddy Heggie, who balances football and theater, freshman Cooper Godbout, who competes on two varsity sports, and senior Alona Mathew, who is captain of two dance teams.

TEDDY HEGGIE

Freshman Teddy Heggie balances two passions: football and theater. Despite their differences, both activities rely on performance and confidence, Heggie said.

Inspired by his older brothers, Heggie began playing football in sixth grade and later became captain of the Freshman A team, he said. Heggie’s interest in theater started after watching child actors on televison and grew during his first performance in The Little Mermaid. Now, theater helps him lead on the field, Heggie said.

“Before football games, I give my team the hype up speech, because I am the only one who is able to go in front of the crowd and talk to them,” Heggie said. “My theater experience helps me, because I feel like I can be a better leader  to my teammates.”

Despite getting nervous before games and performances, preparation helps him stay calm, whether it is reading over his lines or staying warm before a game, he said. The sense of community in both activities also motivates him to continue pursuing both, he said.

“There is a big community in both activities,” Heggie said. “The two environments have a lot of different people, but all the love is still there.”

COOPER GODBOUT

Juggling both Varsity Girls’ Soccer and Varsity Girls’ Flag Football as a freshman, Cooper Godbout is balancing two varsity sports while adjusting to high school, she said.

Competing at that level has required her to quickly adapt, and manage her time

between both teams, Godbout said. Playing alongside upperclassmen has pushed her confidence,and helped her realize she can meet varsity expectations, she said.

“The fact that I am a freshman on both varsity teams makes me work harder and show people I deserve to be on the team,” Godbout said.

Beyond sports, being on varsity has helped her adjust to high school life by building connections with teammates who support her both on and off the field, Godbout said.

“Being a varsity player has really impacted me as a person, and I know a lot more upperclassmen,” Godbout said. “They give me tips for high school, so it feels like having a bunch of older sisters.”

ALONA MATHEW

As captain of both Bhangra Beatz and De La Cru, senior Alona Mathew has balanced two dance teams since freshman year, she said. Although they are different styles, they have a shared dedication to performance and leadership, she said.

Managing both groups requires organization while helping lead practices and maintain team culture, Mathew said. Both teams rely on after-school practices and student leadership, where dancers contribute choreography and creative ideas, she said.

“Both teams are very unique in their own ways, but there are definitely overlaps in the passion and love for dancing that all dancers seem to show,” Mathew said.

Beyond their differences, Mathew sees strong respect among South’s dance teams, built through a shared understanding of the effort it takes to perform at a high level.

“These past years have been an amazing experience and I would not trade it for anything,” Mathew said.