“We should join, imagine how fun it would be!”
“Hailey, do you even know how to play the sport?”
“No, I have zero clue but we can learn.”
In the summer of 2021, before freshman year, I randomly decided to research what sports Westmont provided. As I looked on the Westmont school website and stumbled upon the athletics tab, field hockey caught my attention. I had no idea such a sport existed. Intrigued, I further researched the sport online and watched clips for hours. I realized that it was similar to ice hockey and soccer. I knew immediately I had to try out. I eagerly texted my friend Grisel Guzman Rodriguez and persuaded her to try out with me. Although I wasn’t the most convincing, she reluctantly decided to listen to me after I concluded my last persuasive text message with, “Imagine how in shape we will be for soccer!” Little did I know how much the sport would impact me.
As I walked down to tryouts on a hot weekday morning, I anxiously texted Grisel and told her about how nervous I was. She was unable to make the first day of tryouts so I had to venture into the darkness alone. However, once tryouts started, my anxiety soon eased. I was by far one of the worst players. Granted, I had just learned about the sport only a few days ago, but I was genuinely terrible. Thankfully, senior varsity captain Emily Landers saw my struggles and immediately came to my aid. She explained every little detail about the game and taught me every skill within one day. She even encouraged me after every failed attempt when driving the ball. Faithfully, she stuck by my side and continued to encourage me throughout the week-long tryouts. Without her, I would have been a deer lost in headlights.
Emily and my freshman season overall taught me the importance of creating a positive atmosphere in sports. I have played 9 sports throughout my life however, the field hockey atmosphere was different from the rest. There was zero pressure to play amazing and our community always displayed great sportsmanship and positivity. We never played to win, we played to have fun. That was what stuck with me. Despite our coach telling us that we were the “worst team she has ever coached,” our JV team went undefeated. At the end of the season, coach Taka “Sugi” Sugimoto told me, “Hailey, you better not come back next year liking soccer more than field hockey.” Proudly, I can confidently say I did not disappoint her.
The next three seasons, I continued to develop my skills as a player as well as my own personal characteristics. I never viewed myself as the leadership kind of person. I was more than willing to take control in times that were needed however the task of leading something seemed daunting to me. I never believed I could display the confidence needed to lead anything, let alone a whole sports team. Yet, as I watched other players like Taylor Casillas and Kate Johnson lead with the similar positive and encouraging mindset that Emily once pushed, I couldn’t help but want to do the same. Putting so much effort into the sport and seeing actual improvement in not only a player but also myself made me want to help push the same atmosphere I so greatly adored. This year, I thankfully was given the opportunity to alongside my wonderful teammates Lily Bourne and Madeline Crowley. Leading as senior varsity captains with them made this season so much more memorable because I have always looked up to them not only as players but also as people. Both of them are extremely encouraging and inspirational so I could not be more thankful for them for also helping further foster the welcoming atmosphere of our sport.
Honestly, I could write for hours about how much I love field hockey–but then this article would turn into at least 10 pages. Overall, there is nothing I do not love about field hockey (except for the ref that has been biased against us for 5 years). I am grateful for the friendships I have made, the skills I have learned, and the family we have created. Field hockey has provided me with a second family who I will never forget and will always be grateful for. I hope that the program will continue to thrive on our family-like atmosphere but I have no doubt that it won’t. Players like Prisha Jain and Delaney Pound will no doubt continue to show younger players the love and support needed to thrive. In addition, without a doubt, Sophie Tuan will continue to teach players proper skills and one day hopefully score a tomahawk during a game.
One day, I hope to see the program still in good hands with the future generation of players (and continue to have an amazing Instagram). Also, I hope to one day share my love for field hockey with my future kids and possibly a team of my own to coach.
I am forever in debt for field hockey and will never forget all the memories it has given me.
