It’s not so unusual for a high school athlete to play two sports. What is unusual is to be playing both sports at the same time.

That’s the rare case with senior Austin Wade at the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.

The track and basketball standout is what the Green Dragons’ Activities Director Paige Hawkins refers to as “that unique two-sport, same-season athlete.”

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound son of John and Catrenia Wade of Chester is the school’s unofficial “king of spring,” counting his bouncy ways in basketball and track and field.

“Austin is our captain and senior leader,” says Maggie Walker basketball Coach Keith Beagle. “He’s our go-to guy.”

Through four games for the 2-2 Dragons, Wade is averaging about 12 points, while adding plenty of steals, assists, sticky defense and boundless energy.

“Another thing about Austin,” said Coach Beagle, “is that he doesn’t show much emotion. He’s so quiet and humble. You wouldn’t know if we were up by 20 or down by 20.”

For Wade, no mouthpiece is necessary. He lets his fast feet and all-round athleticism do the talking.

On the track, Wade is a state-caliber triple jumper, while also running sprints and relays for Coach Jim Holdren’s perennial powerhouse.

Wade was fourth in the State 2A triple jump last spring and third at last winter’s 2A indoor championships. 

With all that, he finds time to be a straight-A student with a clear plan to major in biomedical engineering in college.

His day starts with a predawn wake-up alarm and 17-mile drive from Southern Chesterfield to the high school on Lombardy Street in North Side.

The Green Dragons’ basketball practice starts at 6:30 a.m. Track drills come after the final school bell of the day.

“It used to wear me out, but I’ve gotten use to it,” said the soft-spoken Wade.

There are some concessions.

“I play or practice basketball every day. I only do track practice three days a week,” he said.

Most track meets are on Saturdays.

Wade studied in the gifted program at Matoaca Middle School before applying to Maggie Walker in the eighth grade.

“I wanted to challenge myself academically as much as possible,” he said.

Asked about his primary focus, Wade said, “Our school is known for government and international studies, but I’m more of a math-science guy.”

Maggie Walker today is not your grandparents’ Walker. It opened in 1939, during segregation, as one of two Richmond schools for African-Americans. Walker merged with John Marshall in 1979 as a high schol complex.

Following a major renovation, the Walker building became home to the Governor’s School in 1998. The third floor is reserved for memorabilia from the original high school.

The school’s demographics have changed dramatically. In fact, Wade, along with sophomore Rashad Seaborne, are the lone African-Americans on Coach Beagle’s hoops roster.

In a 79-45 home loss to Lee-Davis High School on Dec. 4, Wade attempted something few 5-foot-10 players would even consider — a slam dunk, in traffic, no less.

His above-the-rim theatrics went for naught when his downward trajectory shot struck the back rim and ricocheted over the backboard.

The ball “slipped on the way up,” Wade explained with a modest smile.

It was a rare miscue for the versatile teen who provides two sports for one season of talent.