Personal Narrative Essay: The Joy Of Field Hockey

“Mom and Dad I’m going to play field hockey.” My parents both looked at me with excitement and confusion. Confused to as why field hockey when I had been a cheerleader for eight years. Excited that I was stepping out of my comfort zone to try new things. I decided that cheerleading just wasn’t as satisfying as in once was. I heard such good things about field hockey and though it would be something I would like and be good at. Really how hard could it here? I came to realize on my third day of tryouts that I may have stepped too far out of my comfort zone. However, my coaches and teammates saw something special in me. The encouragement from my team and parents made me strive to be better each time I went to practice.
Finally, the day the announcement was made on who had made the team. I was so nervous, excited, and scared. I walked up to the board of the player who made the team and saw my name. There it was I had made it, the varsity field hockey team as a freshman. Step one in trying new things had been accomplished.
Now onto step two, making a name for myself in sports. When our games started I was right out there on the field playing my heart and soul out. However, I

learned very quickly that just being on the team didn’t make me a star player. That would be a title I had to work hard at to achieve. There were many of game I left feeling that I was failing and many games I felt as though I could conquer anything that was asked of me.
During one of my seasons our goalie was injured and out for the season.

Our coach asked is anyone was interested in that position. No one came forward, and I hesitated for a moment, I then stood up and said, “I’ll do it.” The coach was thrilled. I looked at it as another opportunity for stepping out of my comfort zone, and trying something new. Was I a good goalie? I turned out to not be half bad. It was interesting and new. Sometimes it was intimidating as I stood there in goal and all of a sudden look up and see both teams come running down the field towards me. My first thought was to run, however I took a deep breath and got ready to block the ball from going into my territory/ Sometimes i stopped the ball and sometimes I didn't. I always did my best and that was all that was asked of

me.
As I start my senior year of high school and field hockey I look back on what i accomplished. I went out for a sport when I never played a sport and made the team. I worked hard and made a name for myself and I stepped up when needed. With my final season I have accomplished another goal, a leader. As the underclassmen look up to me as they play, just and I once did to the previous seniors, I try my best to give them the advice and encouragement as I was given to push myself so they may also push themselves.
Where there hard times during these past years? Yes, many. However, the good time out weight the bad time. If it wasn't for the bad times I wouldn't have been able to grow into the person I have become, and the endless memories and friendships would not have been made. I feel that what I have learned about myself over these four years help me better prepare for the next chapter in my life. I feel that taking the first step to trying something completely different has allowed several doors to open for me in which I am looking forward to traveling the road that is ahead of me with confidence and strength.