Sioux Falls youth seeing benefits of multi-sport play

Sioux Falls, S.D. – A growing body of evidence and local experience is reinforcing what many coaches and parents in South Dakota are beginning to embrace: playing more than one sport is paying dividends for young athletes.

A recent UCLA study of NCAA Division I athletes found that 88 percent competed in an average of two to three sports before focusing on a single discipline. The trend is mirrored in the Sioux Falls area, where athletes like Brandon Valley senior Nolan Pudwill are reaping the rewards of a multi-sport upbringing.

“I grew up playing football, baseball and basketball,” said Pudwill, who has committed to play football at Northern State University in 2026. “I stayed pretty busy playing all the sports, but it was good for me. It kind of helped me figure out which sport I loved the most and which one I wanted to continue playing.”

Doug Walls, a strength and conditioning coach at Sanford Sports, works with nearly 200 high school and college athletes each week, including Pudwill. He emphasizes that varied athletic exposure reduces physical strain and sharpens overall performance.

“You’re exposing your body to a ton of different movement patterns, which can help decrease overuse injuries and things like that,” Walls explained.

Beyond the physical advantages, Walls notes cognitive and social benefits. Athletes who sample multiple sports tend to adapt faster to new drills and strategies.

“They’re a little more adaptable or pick up on things a little bit quicker,” he said. “Whether it’s a different jump or a different movement pattern, they sometimes pick it up quicker than normal.”

Pudwill also credits his multi-sport background for expanding his social circle and easing everyday interactions.

“Obviously, you make a lot of friends in all the sports, but it made it easier,” he noted. “In classes, you have a bunch of friends who talk to you. It’s not like you’re walking around school without anyone to talk to. My best friends are the kids I’ve played sports with in the past.”

Walls believes the habits forged through diverse athletic experiences can last a lifetime, long after competitive play ends.

“Through their sport and what they do here, they have the tools they need in their toolbox to make their own plan in the future,” he said.

Echoing that sentiment, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that young athletes avoid specializing in a single sport until at least age 15 or 16, allowing for broader physical literacy and reduced injury risk.

With local standouts like Pudwill leading by example, Sioux Falls youth programs continue to champion the multi-sport approach, confident that the benefits will extend well beyond the playing field.