This past Saturday our team hosted a girls’ lacrosse clinic at Vassar. Around 25 girls showed up between the ages of 8 and 13 with oversized goggles sliding down their faces, mouth guards slipping out of their mouths and the biggest, happiest smiles I’ve ever seen. We broke them
down by grade and rotated them through our stations helping the older ones with draws and the younger ones with cradling and catching. The older girls were really enthusiastic and excited to learn new techniques and skills, and the younger girls had a ball having cart-wheeling and leap-frogging races for ground balls.
Our whole team was incredibly animated for these two hours and I think it couldn’t have come at a better time. We were all slightly dejected from a painful loss the night before and having 25 girls looking up to us, asking us for help, wanting to play with us was so gratifying and rewarding. The two hours came and want faster than any of us had expected and after complaining hours before about having to wake up early, we found ourselves slightly attached to our new friends and wanting them to stay. So bitter-sweetly we parted ways, asking them to
send us their game schedules, to come back next year, to practice their new skills all the time wondering if this experience actually inspired them to play lacrosse.
A few days later we received a thank you letter from one of the coaches of a few of the girls and a couple of the parents. Apparently a lot of the kids had gone home and started practicing what we had taught them in their backyards, excitedly trying new cradling tricks and pick-ups. The feeling of knowing that we had helped, inspired and possibly helped create a new generation of Poughkeepsie women’s lacrosse players made the sting of the loss feel so insignificant and the potential of making a difference in the lives of these young girls incredible.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Kicking Off the Season in Florida
March 10
It’s March 10th and we just beat Drew University, 14-13 in a nail-biting game that marks our first win of the season. Goodness, winning feels great. We’ve gotten a taste of the sensation and I think we’re all eager for more.
So far we’ve been in West Palm Beach for over three days and the weather has been glorious! So far we’ve just been eating, practicing, sleeping, eating some more, practicing some more, napping, playing games, swimming by the pool and applying ridiculous amounts of sun block… and aloe vera in many of our cases.
Sometimes when I’m at Vassar I think about how I wish I had gone to a more sports intensive school. I want to go to hockey games and football games with my friends. I wish the whole school would celebrate a win and mourn a loss. Most ardently, though, I look up at the stands during our lacrosse games, smile at the few dedicated parents and roommates that have made it out, and wish that more people came, that people even knew about our games, that they even wanted to know about our games.
But when I come to Florida, everything gets put back into perspective. We watch many other successful DIII teams play and I can’t help wondering, are these girls having as much fun as I am? Maybe we don’t have to run a 6:40 mile to make the team, maybe we don’t eat every meal together, maybe we don’t lift three times a week, but we’re actually pretty darn good, we really love each other and get along extremely well despite all our differences. I’m sure I would have liked going to some other sports intensive school, I’m sure I would have fit in and had good friends, but I can honestly say I don’t think I’d be as happy on any other team than this one.
It’s March 10th and we just beat Drew University, 14-13 in a nail-biting game that marks our first win of the season. Goodness, winning feels great. We’ve gotten a taste of the sensation and I think we’re all eager for more.
So far we’ve been in West Palm Beach for over three days and the weather has been glorious! So far we’ve just been eating, practicing, sleeping, eating some more, practicing some more, napping, playing games, swimming by the pool and applying ridiculous amounts of sun block… and aloe vera in many of our cases.
Sometimes when I’m at Vassar I think about how I wish I had gone to a more sports intensive school. I want to go to hockey games and football games with my friends. I wish the whole school would celebrate a win and mourn a loss. Most ardently, though, I look up at the stands during our lacrosse games, smile at the few dedicated parents and roommates that have made it out, and wish that more people came, that people even knew about our games, that they even wanted to know about our games.
But when I come to Florida, everything gets put back into perspective. We watch many other successful DIII teams play and I can’t help wondering, are these girls having as much fun as I am? Maybe we don’t have to run a 6:40 mile to make the team, maybe we don’t eat every meal together, maybe we don’t lift three times a week, but we’re actually pretty darn good, we really love each other and get along extremely well despite all our differences. I’m sure I would have liked going to some other sports intensive school, I’m sure I would have fit in and had good friends, but I can honestly say I don’t think I’d be as happy on any other team than this one.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Two Weeks In: Playing Great and As a Team
We’ve had just over two weeks of practice, and things are going great. Everyone is healthy and happy and fit and loving lacrosse. Jude seems to have found the correlation between us doing sprints in the beginning of practice and playing well, so let’s just say, we’re going to be in great shape come our first game in Florida.
Our energy and enthusiasm is paying off. People are starting to work together, looking out for each other and making connections on the field that translate to amazing transitions, quick-stick goals and double-teams that were completely non-existent two weeks ago.
We have been 100% committed to the sprints, the drills and the plays and it’s incredible to see how this year there is no laziness on the team. However I think it is not necessarily our commitment to the physical aspect of the sport that makes us a unique team at Vassar but our commitment to one another.
Anyone who listens in on our ridiculous locker-room chats would be able to see that our team has a freakish bond. Catty comments, insults and disdain for one another are obstacles that simply do not exist in our lacrosse bubble. I’ve played on dozens of teams in my life and this is the only one where there is absolutely no yelling, fighting or diss-ing. Our ability to recognize that as long as you are working hard, absorbing critique and looking out for the rest of your girls creates a sense of trust and mutual dependency that makes us successful and able to grow. These relationships in and out of the locker-room directly translate to the field and make for the exceptional play we are seeing recently.
Spring Break in Florida is where this bond is solidified and finally put to the test during games. I can’t wait to see how well we do under this pressure, how we grow and learn about one another, and –let’s not lie – how warm the pool is and how bad our farmers’ tans get.
Our energy and enthusiasm is paying off. People are starting to work together, looking out for each other and making connections on the field that translate to amazing transitions, quick-stick goals and double-teams that were completely non-existent two weeks ago.
We have been 100% committed to the sprints, the drills and the plays and it’s incredible to see how this year there is no laziness on the team. However I think it is not necessarily our commitment to the physical aspect of the sport that makes us a unique team at Vassar but our commitment to one another.
Anyone who listens in on our ridiculous locker-room chats would be able to see that our team has a freakish bond. Catty comments, insults and disdain for one another are obstacles that simply do not exist in our lacrosse bubble. I’ve played on dozens of teams in my life and this is the only one where there is absolutely no yelling, fighting or diss-ing. Our ability to recognize that as long as you are working hard, absorbing critique and looking out for the rest of your girls creates a sense of trust and mutual dependency that makes us successful and able to grow. These relationships in and out of the locker-room directly translate to the field and make for the exceptional play we are seeing recently.
Spring Break in Florida is where this bond is solidified and finally put to the test during games. I can’t wait to see how well we do under this pressure, how we grow and learn about one another, and –let’s not lie – how warm the pool is and how bad our farmers’ tans get.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Day One of the 2010 Season
A few days ago was the first day of practice. A very exciting day for all of us! I found myself nervous a good two hours before it started– just like freshman year all over again. This year we have a record-breaking TWENTY-FOUR players. I’m so excited to be part of such a large and diverse group, even as I’m still working to remember all the freshmen’s names.
To be honest, it was a pretty long first hour. Our head coach Judy Finerghty – most commonly known as Jude – had us doing a variety of sprinting drills involving relays, shuttles and, most curiously, sludge-hammers! It was strange playing without the seniors from last year for the first time and with six new freshmen whom I haven’t yet gotten a chance to get to know after being abroad first semester. After a number of drills and passing exercises, I found myself shocked when I looked down at my watch and realized not even half of practice was over. It’s always hard to get back into the swing of things.
In the last half and hour or so of practice we scrimmaged one another. Passes went soaring up to the high Walker Field House ceiling, people had trouble catching up with their feet, catching their breath and catching the balls, but the energy was astonishing and made up for everything. I don’t think I’ve ever seen our team so smiley and enthusiastic. Emily Kloppenburg – Klopp – was so excited she found herself smashed into the bleachers with a bruise the size of a grapefruit on her shin trying to get a ball. Impressive. When Jude announced that practice was over, I found myself disappointed, wanting more, realizing I had way more energy than I thought I did.
So many people dread pre-season because all they can think about is the running, the 7AM Friday practice, and the oh-so-sweaty Bays. I love preseason because there is a unique sense of excitement, potential and harmony. I can’t wait to see how we grow these next few weeks and mesh together as a team on and off the field, creating a unity that will lead to our success.
To be honest, it was a pretty long first hour. Our head coach Judy Finerghty – most commonly known as Jude – had us doing a variety of sprinting drills involving relays, shuttles and, most curiously, sludge-hammers! It was strange playing without the seniors from last year for the first time and with six new freshmen whom I haven’t yet gotten a chance to get to know after being abroad first semester. After a number of drills and passing exercises, I found myself shocked when I looked down at my watch and realized not even half of practice was over. It’s always hard to get back into the swing of things.
In the last half and hour or so of practice we scrimmaged one another. Passes went soaring up to the high Walker Field House ceiling, people had trouble catching up with their feet, catching their breath and catching the balls, but the energy was astonishing and made up for everything. I don’t think I’ve ever seen our team so smiley and enthusiastic. Emily Kloppenburg – Klopp – was so excited she found herself smashed into the bleachers with a bruise the size of a grapefruit on her shin trying to get a ball. Impressive. When Jude announced that practice was over, I found myself disappointed, wanting more, realizing I had way more energy than I thought I did.
So many people dread pre-season because all they can think about is the running, the 7AM Friday practice, and the oh-so-sweaty Bays. I love preseason because there is a unique sense of excitement, potential and harmony. I can’t wait to see how we grow these next few weeks and mesh together as a team on and off the field, creating a unity that will lead to our success.
Friday, January 22, 2010
From Buenos Aires to Poughkeepsie
Hello all!
Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Sarah Warner (aka “Swarner” to my teammates) and I’m a junior on the Women’s Lacrosse team. I’m from Ipswich, Massachusetts and an American Culture major concentrating in Sociology and Education with a minor in Hispanic Studies.
Just over a month ago I got back from spending a semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina with 14 other college students from all over the country. I lived with a host family there and took classes in sociology, history and political science. Staying in shape wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be because there were many other DIII athletes in my program who were more than willing to go on runs with me and work out. I spent my days speaking a new language, navigating a new city and meeting new friends, which proved to be extremely rewarding and a wonderful change from Vassar life. I was absolutely devastated to leave the heavenly 85-degree weather for the frigid -10 degree weather in Massachusetts I still haven’t quite gotten used to. Studying abroad was a life-altering experience I would recommend to anyone, athlete or not, but now that I’m back I couldn’t be happier being back on campus.
My new classes are wonderful, my teachers are engaging, and even the ACDC food tastes a little better, but I have to admit I’m definitely most excited for lacrosse season to start. Last year we had three months of major ups and downs and I’m ready to see that inconsistency smoothed out to just a season of ups this year. We lost some great players, but from what I hear from my coaches and teammates, not only are fresh(wo)men going to be fantastic additions, but the returning sophomores, juniors and seniors have really stepped it up both in skill and leadership.
Most people dread pre-season, and I have to say I was one of those people the last two years, being intimidated my freshman year, and having just finished basketball season my sophomore year. Now I couldn’t be more thrilled to do sprints in the stuffy bays, to grow used to the feeling of always having a stick in my hand and, most importantly, to rejoin the lacrosse family I’ve been missing since last spring. I think being abroad rekindled a spark in me, or made me realize that I only have two seasons left, so why waste any time complaining about the long drives, the suicides or 7AM practices? I love this sport and I don’t want to regret anything when I graduate because lacrosse, and sports in general are my passion and hobby and a necessary part of my life I could never live without. I’m coming into this season with a completely fresh attitude of determination to win, enthusiasm to lead and devotion to my team that I can’t wait to share and instill in my teammates.
Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Sarah Warner (aka “Swarner” to my teammates) and I’m a junior on the Women’s Lacrosse team. I’m from Ipswich, Massachusetts and an American Culture major concentrating in Sociology and Education with a minor in Hispanic Studies.
Just over a month ago I got back from spending a semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina with 14 other college students from all over the country. I lived with a host family there and took classes in sociology, history and political science. Staying in shape wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be because there were many other DIII athletes in my program who were more than willing to go on runs with me and work out. I spent my days speaking a new language, navigating a new city and meeting new friends, which proved to be extremely rewarding and a wonderful change from Vassar life. I was absolutely devastated to leave the heavenly 85-degree weather for the frigid -10 degree weather in Massachusetts I still haven’t quite gotten used to. Studying abroad was a life-altering experience I would recommend to anyone, athlete or not, but now that I’m back I couldn’t be happier being back on campus.
My new classes are wonderful, my teachers are engaging, and even the ACDC food tastes a little better, but I have to admit I’m definitely most excited for lacrosse season to start. Last year we had three months of major ups and downs and I’m ready to see that inconsistency smoothed out to just a season of ups this year. We lost some great players, but from what I hear from my coaches and teammates, not only are fresh(wo)men going to be fantastic additions, but the returning sophomores, juniors and seniors have really stepped it up both in skill and leadership.
Most people dread pre-season, and I have to say I was one of those people the last two years, being intimidated my freshman year, and having just finished basketball season my sophomore year. Now I couldn’t be more thrilled to do sprints in the stuffy bays, to grow used to the feeling of always having a stick in my hand and, most importantly, to rejoin the lacrosse family I’ve been missing since last spring. I think being abroad rekindled a spark in me, or made me realize that I only have two seasons left, so why waste any time complaining about the long drives, the suicides or 7AM practices? I love this sport and I don’t want to regret anything when I graduate because lacrosse, and sports in general are my passion and hobby and a necessary part of my life I could never live without. I’m coming into this season with a completely fresh attitude of determination to win, enthusiasm to lead and devotion to my team that I can’t wait to share and instill in my teammates.
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