LakewoodLyre first contributor story; “Young Athlete Balances Sport and Online School” by Bobbi Schneider-Harris
What happens when your dream of pursuing athletics at the highest level collides with homework deadlines, exams, and college applications? For Lakewood teen, Asher Weideman, it didn’t mean choosing one over the other. It meant finding a way to chase them all.
A high school senior and a young professional disc golfer, Asher is steadily building a name for himself in the sport. Competing in the Mixed Professional Open (MPO) Division, the highest professional tier in disc golf, he recently captured his first MPO victory, a milestone that reflects years of disciplined practice and cross-country competition.
Since becoming a member of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) in 2020, Asher has traveled to tournaments in Oregon, Idaho, California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, testing his skills against seasoned professionals, some in their 20’s and 30’s. His daily routine now includes hours of focused training, with even more preparation in the weeks leading up to major tournaments.
Balancing that level of competition with academics takes intention.
“Asher already knew what he wanted; to play disc golf, he needed to set his own schedule. I needed the level of understanding with his teachers,” said Asher’s mom, Amy Weideman.
To accommodate his travel and training schedule, Asher transitioned to online learning through Washington Virtual Academies in seventh grade. The transition has allowed him to compete nationally while continuing to progress toward graduation. Now also enrolled in Washington’s Running Start program, he is earning college credits toward an associate degree while finishing high school and continuing to compete and travel.
Outside the classroom, his ambitions continue to grow. Asher is a sponsored athlete with Discmania and has his sights set on international competition, including the Japan Open in 2027. This fall, he plans to attend GCU to study Business Management and try out for the college disc golf team — another step toward his goal of competing full-time on the Disc Golf Pro Tour.
For Asher, the appeal goes beyond trophies. “I love the challenge of disc golf and the disc golf community,” he said. “I’m excited for this season to keep improving and seeing what opportunities the sport creates for me.”
For this Lakewood teen, the lesson is clear, when preparation meets passion, and students have education options, there’s no limit to how high your goals can soar.
You can check out Asher’s Instagram page at @asheraces.