Athletes give up second sport to play field hockey

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Created on Tuesday, 04 September 2012 22:39

The women’s field hockey team practices in Kidd Brewer Stadium. When graduating from high school, student athletes are often faced with the difficult decision to choose which sport to play. Conor McClure | The Appalachian

Out of the 19 women on ASU's field hockey team, five of them had to choose between field hockey and another sport they played in high school.

Freshman Charlotte Kirwan played lacrosse and field hockey in high school, but she said when she came to ASU the decision to switch to one sport was an easy one.

Kirwan said she loved the speed of field hockey because of its "skill and intensity."

"I couldn't imagine my life without field hockey," Kirwan said. "I love just being out on the field hitting around and playing."

Freshman Hanna French participated in track and field in high school, but she ran track to stay in shape for field hockey.

"When I ran track, I mostly ran the 800 meter run," French said. "So it was basically a two lap sprint and that definitely made me faster and have more endurance for field hockey."

Others, like freshman Caroline Phillips, had a tougher time choosing between softball and field hockey.

"There are not many comparisons that can be made to softball and field hockey, but swinging a softball bat and the power behind that is the same when I drive in field hockey," Phillips said.

It took Phillips till her junior year of high school to make her decision.

"The underlying factor that really made me choose field hockey is the intense attitude that is always present on the field," Phillips said.

For Caroline Phillips the best part about field hockey is being part of a team.

"My favorite thing about field hockey is the closeness that comes with playing 19 other girls who love field hockey just as much as I do," Phillips said.

 

Story: KAITLYN THRUSTON, Intern Sports Reporter
Photo: CONOR MCLURE, Intern Photographer