During the past two fall seasons, I have managed the varsity field hockey team. I originally did it because my girlfriend at the time talked me into it. Then, it became more of a substitute for the hole the loss of football left inside of me. Now, as my senior year is slowly but surely coming to an end, I can look back at managing field hockey and say I loved it more than anything I did while I was in high school at Country Day.

To my fellow managers, JR and Robert, y’all are my bros for life. We’ve made so many great memories together. JR, how could we ever forget Oklahoma this year? Our job just was boring and tedious many

times. However, the girls made it worth it. The team made it worth it. Coach Bade and Coach Chisholm made it worth it. You guys have had to consistently hold me back from getting ejected, and calm me down in the oh so stressful games.

To the girls, thank y’all so much for everything you all have done for me over the past two years. You have made me feel like I truly am part of a team. That is something I didn’t think I’d get back after I put the pads up. I know I complained a lot, a lot more than I should’ve. But truth is, I loved getting out the goalie bags every day. I loved getting out the ball buckets and shooting on Liz, Mary, Leslie, and Jackie every day. I loved sitting at the scorer’s table, biting my nails, closing my eyes, and trying to control my heart rate as I watched the ball move up and down the grass field.

The memories I  made will last me a very long time. As I sit here and think about the last two years, I get goosebumps. I tear up. Everything from the heartbreak last year vs. St Johns to the ultimate redemption this year. From the disconcerting counter loss to Hockaday earlier in the season, to the Upper School dogpile after beating them in the semifinals. From the frigid euphoria this year in Oklahoma City, to the tears and disbelief of the championship game loss and everything in between. It is all flowing back into my mind.

I might be getting a little too emotionally tied to my words in some people’s mind; however, I really cannot put into words my love for the field hockey team and cannot thank them enough for what they have done in my life the last two years.

The first Friday of my junior year I saw all of the football players come to school with their uniforms on. I knew I couldn’t be a part of that. I knew I wasn’t a part of that brotherhood that exists from going through summer workouts and two-a-days together. That afternoon after school, I went into Mrs. Wallace’s room and broke down crying because I missed everything about the game so much. Now however,  two years later, I have nothing but smiles and happy tears when I think about how it all worked out. Everything really does happen for a reason.

To Lauren, Eliza, Emily, Jordan, Madison, Darby, Mary Madison, Alden, Claudia, Bailee, Reign, Mary Claire, Kate, Izzy, Caroline, Meg, LC, Devon, Ellee, Savannah, Alex, MC, Coach Chisholm, Coach Bade, JR, Robert, and my goalies: Elizabeth, Leslie, Mary and Jackie: Thank you all so much for everything. Y’all are truly the best teammates I’ve ever had and I’ve never been prouder to call myself part of a team. I love all of y’all.