Freshmen on Varsity
By: Lucy Bredeway and Gesche Reister
Entering high school can be super intimidating on its own, but being a freshman on a varsity team is a whole new challenge. Rookies are surrounded by older players who already know each other and have more experience, and it’s easy to feel like the new kid in a totally different place. But with the right perspective, it can be one of the best experiences if you let it shape you, both as a player and a student.
Freshman Ellery Rietema, said “Getting to know the older girls” was a big part of her experience. At first, she mostly stayed with her group of freshman friends, but over time, things changed. “Coming in, I’ve been playing with my group of freshman girls, and now it’s a whole other team,” she said. It’s not just about playing, it’s about becoming part of something bigger.
Grace Sexton, another freshman on the team, talked about how good it felt to hit a big milestone: “Scoring a goal.” But it’s not just about your own accomplishments. She mentioned that the team has grown together: “We’ve gotten better chemistry as the season has gone on.” Working with older, more experienced players taught her about teamwork and adapting to different playing styles.
Being on a varsity team means learning fast. “We need to work hard especially when we’re together,” Rietema said. Soccer has taught her even more than just how to play better, it’s taught her life lessons. “Soccer gives me perseverance and drive,” she explained. That motivation helps not only on the field but also in school and other parts of life.
Both girls noticed how their confidence grew, they became more confident with other people and playing styles. “I’ve got more comfortable with playing with other people,” said Rietema. Sexton agreed, saying that varsity helped her with “getting used to playing with other people” and “having more experience.” When you’re thrown into something new, you start to learn about yourself pretty fast.
Being a freshman on a varsity team pushes you. It can be scary and challenging, but it also gives you a chance to grow, not just as an athlete, but as a person. You become more confident, make new friends, and gain experiences that’ll stay with you way past your freshman season.