Senior Matthew Lapacek is no stranger to sports. A player on both the varsity football and wrestling team, Lapacek had been anticipating high school sports since he was a child.

“I was involved in almost all the sports. I played soccer, basketball, football, baseball, wrestling, swim, cross country. I was a very athletic kid,” Lapacek said.

While many may believe that it’s easy, according to Lapecek being involved in multiple sports during the year has its challenges.

“It’s just difficult going from football to wrestling because I don’t really get a break time to heal up my body or have time for myself,” Lapacek said.

That being said, for Lapacek, the pros outweigh the cons.

“I like the connections and relationships I make with my teammates and coaches, I think I take those relationships all throughout life and in school and everything, and I also like the memories I make in sports,” Lapacek said.

One of Lapacek’s favorite memories of sports involves winning the 2022 cannon at Hinsdale South High School. The cannon is an annual event in which DGS goes against rival Hinsdale South in football, and whoever wins takes home the cannon.

“I had a really good game that game. Just the culture of the student section and our team was really nice,” Lapacek said.

However, sports carry not only a physical aspect, but also a social aspect as well. Lapacek’s eyes seem to light up confidently as he thinks about how sports have affected his school standing and involvement.

“Sports built a leadership standpoint for myself. And just being active with the sports I go out more with school and I’m more of a leader during school and I put myself out there more too,” Lapacek said.

Lapacek leaves a piece of advice for those interested in sports, but don’t know where to start.

“Be super open with the sports. Try different sports because some sports you might like, some sports you might not like, and I think just, really just be active with them and relationships and stuff because it opens up a lot of different events and activities you can do with them,” Lapacek said.

Varsity football practices Monday through Friday from 3:40 to 6:00 p.m. and have an upcoming away game on Friday, Oct. 13th at 7:30 p.m.