Sorry John, we’re going to have to go with Ben on this one. Mr. Franklin once said, “energy and persistence conquer all things” and many of F&M’s students are living proof of the wise quip. F&M’s field hockey team, led by seniors Becky Willert, Kimmy Fisher, and Ally McLaren, are currently at a 12-1 record, ranked first in the Centennial Conference. Her Campus caught up with these stellar senior athletes to get the scoop on the key to their success, and what it’s really like being a student-athlete.
Are there specific things to which you can attribute the team’s success to this season? What do you think is different from your past three seasons?
BW: I would say that the main component of our success this year in comparison to previous years is our team chemistry. This year we’ve been able to combine that with teamwork from the front lines back to the goalie.
AM: I agree with Becky. We are honest with each other and get a long really well, not only with our playing styles on the field, but also off the field. We also have a lot of depth. We have 25 players on our team, making it one of the larger teams in our conference, but each team member has the ability to sub in to a game and contribute.
KF: This year we have been able to work as a unit and come out with a 12-1 record. Each player has taken the role of a leader and everyone respects one another.
Second in the nation is awesome! Describe the feeling.
BW: I’m still in awe of the fact that we were ranked second by all the Division III coaches. It’s certainly something that I never expected, but it’s nice to be acknowledged for all of our hard work. I’ve never been more proud of the girls on the team.
AM: I am glad we are getting some great recognition nationally, but we still do not take any team we are up against lightly. It certainly has placed a target on our backs. It makes every team we play come out hard against us because they want that feeling of beating the number two team in the nation, just as much as we want the feeling of actually being number two.
KF: The first feeling I got when I realized we were second in the nation was overwhelming pride and happiness. Having been a starter since my freshman year (we were six and ten) and now a record such as 12 and one, along with this amazing ranking really opens my eyes to how far this team has come.
What have been your greatest challenges as student-athletes, especially at a smaller school like F&M?
BW: Being a student-athlete is far more difficult than people realize. A commitment to a two hour practice is really a four hour time commitment when all is said and done, which is a huge chunk of your day with the “rigorous” workload that we have here at F&M. It’s all about learning to manage your time in the most beneficial way, which takes some getting used to.
AM: You have to have good time management and work extra hard to get things done ahead of time so that you can focus on preparing for the game. Also, sitting around on Thursday and Friday nights and watching your friends go out can be a bit frustrating. You definitely do not have very much free time, but playing and being on a team is definitely worth it.
KF: The greatest challenges as a student athlete have been juggling schoolwork and classes with our hectic schedule. Usually teachers give three hours of work, along with practice and away games, it can be a lot to handle! Time management is key to staying on top of your studies.
How do you think playing on a collegiate sports team has changed your outlook on post-grad life for the better?
BW: Although there are no professional field hockey leagues for us to join, collegiate sports definitely instills some values that are important for post-grad life. Competitive drive alone will make you more successful in the real world to beat out those for a job or responsibility that may have similar qualifications, but you have that confident “go get ’em” attitude.
AM: It has taught me about how to work together with a group of people who might not necessarily work together otherwise. There are a lot of life lessons and leadership lessons that are learned through sports.
KF: Field hockey has taught me that you must fight and give 100 percent in everything you do. Nothing is handed over to you; you need to fight for what you want and give your best at all times. That aggression and drive will stay with me forever.
Imagine this: You win Centennial Conference Championships and somebody runs up with a microphone. What do you say?
BW: See you in Ft. Lauderdale. Just kidding! I’d probably say, finally, we deserve it.
AM: Number one! We deserve it.
KF: I would be crying from happiness and just say how happy and proud I am of everyone on my team. And, say that we are no longer the underdogs and we are the team to beat!