Brantley Shields
Dr. Fowler
English
August 31, 2015
Everyone in my family is known for something. My older brother is an officer in the army, my younger brother is a genius jock, and my little sister is a hilarious thespian. Growing up, I didn’t quite know where I fit in, because I was so shy and awkward all the time. I played soccer starting at the age of three, but didn’t define myself as a soccer player. I saw it simply as a sport. Once 7th grade rolled around, I wanted to try and find my place. I tried out for the A team, the higher skilled team, at my middle school, as well as the Academy travel team at my soccer club. Doubting everything I had learned in my many years of practice, I convinced myself I had no chance in succeeding in the try outs. To my surprise, I was the only 7th grader to make the A team, and made the travel team as well. This gave me the insane boost in confidence and self esteem that I needed to take on life.
Two years passed, and I continued to grow in my skills. I made the Varsity soccer team my freshman year, and played majority of the game. I felt unstoppable. It wasn’t until I broke my foot that things began to spin into a downward spiral. I was practicing and messing around with my teammates after school one day. I took my cleats off to get more comfortable, and one of my friends jumped and landed on the top of my foot. I broke 7 bones and cracked my growth plate. Next thing I knew, I was tossed into a cast, thrown on crutches for the rest of the season, and yelled at by my coach for my carelessness.Many of the girls I grew close to during the sport mentioned constantly reminded me that I “let the team down”, and that they “didn’t know what to do with me since I couldn’t play soccer”. I invested all of my time and confidence into one thing, establishing and finding myself, and instantly it all crumbled away. I wasn’t allowed to play during the fall travel season due to physical therapy. I didn’t know what to do with my time. It seemed as though I had lost who I was. . I felt awkward and alone, unable to spend time with my friends and teammates. I slowly lost my invitations to parties and events, due to me being bound to my couch.
Luckily, spring rolled around again, so I laced up my cleats and took the field again. All of my friends and coaches were so glad to have me back, yet surprised that I maintained my skill set. They apologized for not keeping in touch when I got hurt, explaining that they didn’t know how else to handle the situation. Everything seemed to fall back into place. I rebuilt friendships, and regained my strength and skills. After being fifth in state my sophomore year, and starting the whole year, I felt like myself again. I stopped punishing myself for getting hurt, and learned to love the game. I allowed the sport to heal me.
Senior year rolled around, and I honestly couldn’t be happier with how the season turned out. It was almost too good to be true. My club team was ranked seventh place nationally, and my school won second place in the state championships. Although we lost, it was an amazing journey to take with my team. We learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses, both on and off the field. Mending and healing together through tragic situations that came our way, including passing of a friend my junior year. We gained appreciation and respect for each individual, as well as made an effort to open up about our personal lives off of the field. We learned that we are not so much teammates as we are sisters.
As a whole, this sport formed me, as well healed me and my team. It created friendships and bonds that would not have occurred otherwise. It served as a comforter when things were confusing and difficult. Although it led me into one of the harder times of my life, it also played a huge part in bringing me out of that period as well. I would not be the individual I am today if I lived without the sport.
Dr. Fowler
English
August 31, 2015
Everyone in my family is known for something. My older brother is an officer in the army, my younger brother is a genius jock, and my little sister is a hilarious thespian. Growing up, I didn’t quite know where I fit in, because I was so shy and awkward all the time. I played soccer starting at the age of three, but didn’t define myself as a soccer player. I saw it simply as a sport. Once 7th grade rolled around, I wanted to try and find my place. I tried out for the A team, the higher skilled team, at my middle school, as well as the Academy travel team at my soccer club. Doubting everything I had learned in my many years of practice, I convinced myself I had no chance in succeeding in the try outs. To my surprise, I was the only 7th grader to make the A team, and made the travel team as well. This gave me the insane boost in confidence and self esteem that I needed to take on life.
Two years passed, and I continued to grow in my skills. I made the Varsity soccer team my freshman year, and played majority of the game. I felt unstoppable. It wasn’t until I broke my foot that things began to spin into a downward spiral. I was practicing and messing around with my teammates after school one day. I took my cleats off to get more comfortable, and one of my friends jumped and landed on the top of my foot. I broke 7 bones and cracked my growth plate. Next thing I knew, I was tossed into a cast, thrown on crutches for the rest of the season, and yelled at by my coach for my carelessness.Many of the girls I grew close to during the sport mentioned constantly reminded me that I “let the team down”, and that they “didn’t know what to do with me since I couldn’t play soccer”. I invested all of my time and confidence into one thing, establishing and finding myself, and instantly it all crumbled away. I wasn’t allowed to play during the fall travel season due to physical therapy. I didn’t know what to do with my time. It seemed as though I had lost who I was. . I felt awkward and alone, unable to spend time with my friends and teammates. I slowly lost my invitations to parties and events, due to me being bound to my couch.
Luckily, spring rolled around again, so I laced up my cleats and took the field again. All of my friends and coaches were so glad to have me back, yet surprised that I maintained my skill set. They apologized for not keeping in touch when I got hurt, explaining that they didn’t know how else to handle the situation. Everything seemed to fall back into place. I rebuilt friendships, and regained my strength and skills. After being fifth in state my sophomore year, and starting the whole year, I felt like myself again. I stopped punishing myself for getting hurt, and learned to love the game. I allowed the sport to heal me.
Senior year rolled around, and I honestly couldn’t be happier with how the season turned out. It was almost too good to be true. My club team was ranked seventh place nationally, and my school won second place in the state championships. Although we lost, it was an amazing journey to take with my team. We learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses, both on and off the field. Mending and healing together through tragic situations that came our way, including passing of a friend my junior year. We gained appreciation and respect for each individual, as well as made an effort to open up about our personal lives off of the field. We learned that we are not so much teammates as we are sisters.
As a whole, this sport formed me, as well healed me and my team. It created friendships and bonds that would not have occurred otherwise. It served as a comforter when things were confusing and difficult. Although it led me into one of the harder times of my life, it also played a huge part in bringing me out of that period as well. I would not be the individual I am today if I lived without the sport.