I do think there are activities that will impress admissions officers more than others but it is hard to know which one will do it. Even if you aren’t a recruited athlete, being a figure skating champion will look pretty good while being a member of a cross country team that has no wins or no honors is just an activity and will read that way on your applications (Track team, 9, 10, 11, 12). If you are the quarterback of the state championship team, that looks pretty good because that will be on your application (Quarterback, JV 9, 10; V. 11, 12, won state championship in 11, captain 12)
Best use of an athletic EC is to be recruited and have it push you over the top to be accepted. If you decide on D1 or D2 and get money, all the better.