At the end of tryouts, coaches talk to each girl to discuss whether she made varsity or junior varsity. As a junior, you expect the best and assume you’ve made varsity. For me, that was not the case. I had been double rostered— meaning I didn’t show enough promise to be put on varsity, but I could work my way up to it during the season. I held back tears, trying to stay strong while hearing this news. Blinded by those hovering tears, I called my mom to tell her the news. As soon as a single word came out of my mouth, the dam broke and the floodgates opened. Between shaking and gasping for air, I told her my soccer career was done.
I walked to my car after soccer tryouts, in shambles. Once inside, I pulled down the front mirror and saw splotches and hives on my face from crying. With my mom on speakerphone, I explained the situation; how I didn’t want to be there in the first place; how soccer caused me more stress than school ever did; how I am one of those athletes who gets burnt out of their sport; how I didn’t think I was crying because I was sad about being doubled rostered, but because I knew it was the end of an era.
The car parked in front of me had a girls water polo sticker on it. My mind flashed back to all my swim teammates in the fall, telling me to play polo in the spring. Was it that crazy of a thought? I verbalized the somewhat insane idea to my mom.
“You have nothing to lose,” she said.
In my sweaty soccer jersey and smelly socks, I walked into the natatorium. The girls in the water all screamed when they saw me— a couple even hopped out of the pool to hug me. The coaches came my way with a confused, yet welcoming smile. I introduced myself, told them that soccer is no longer something I was interested in and that I would love to try polo if they’d have me. That’s when more girls jumped out of the water to hug me. I was given all the information that was needed and was handed a water polo bonnet with my own number on it.
The very next day, we had a game. I had never played, but I ended the game with three assists, two steals and one goal. The next few weeks went by and I learned fast. By the end of the season, I was playing varsity. On the night of the banquet, I was voted most improved player and named Captain for the next season.
Taking this leap of faith was the highlight of my high school experience. I have made the most amazing friends and learned so much through water polo. Leaving a sport that I felt comfortable in was scary, but I was able to listen to my intuition and go with my gut. I realized I don’t want to be just “comfortable.” I want to be in situations that keep me on my toes; keep me excited;
keep me curious. I learned that I am not afraid to try new things. I am capable of jumping into the deep end… figuratively and literally.
