Senior Series - Elle Oberfield

As I reflect on my final field hockey season, I am full of emotions. It was extremely difficult to walk off the field in Hudson, knowing that it was my last Hawken field hockey game ever. Our team achieved so much. Specifically, this year we advanced to the regional semi-final and played an amazing game of field hockey that went into quadruple overtime. This game was one for the history books because every player played with high intensity, quick ball skills, speed, purpose, and love. Although the game did not end the way we had hoped, we never would have been able to reach that point in the tournament without our dedication to the sport and each other. The people on the team made my experience special. I am proud to call all of them my teammates, and I am so grateful for them. Every player encouraged, challenged, and welcomed me onto the team. I am going to miss them and my coaches dearly; however, I will always treasure the memories we made through field hockey. These people are not only my friends and support system, but also my family. I will always remember my time as a Hawk because playing field hockey taught me how unique and memorable it is to be on a team.

In seventh grade, some of my friends encouraged me to join the Middle School Field Hockey team. I decided that I would go to a practice and try it out. From that day on, my relationship with field hockey has continued to change and grow. This sport has challenged me since the first time I picked up a stick. Not only has it tested my physical strength and stamina, but also my mental power. One of the primary reasons I love field hockey is the challenge it presents, but most importantly, I love field hockey because of the bonds I made with my teammates. 

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play field hockey at Hawken because I made lasting friendships over the past six years. I will always remember Middle School Field Hockey. The practices were full of laughter and endless singing, usually of Coach Cassie's playlists. At the time, I could barely use my stick to move the ball to the left or right, also known as 'pulling' the ball, and we did not have enough players to fill the field. However, when I look back on my middle school years, it makes me happy to still be close friends with my teammates. We have all grown up since then, but the support that we provide each other has not changed. When I have had a difficult day at school, or something is bothering me, my teammates and coaches always embrace me with warmth and understanding, whether that is through checking in during practice or sending me a text to follow up. These examples of kindness reflect the effort that people on the team put forth to show up for each other and make everyone feel loved. I will always remember my Middle School teammates who introduced me to field hockey.

I have learned many lessons and experienced many changes over the past four years. We  navigated through the joyful and tough moments together. Some of the most memorable experiences I had with the team were at the team sleepovers. In ninth grade, we slept in the Shiv and stayed up talking most of the night. Unfortunately, the sleepover was canceled my sophomore year due to the pandemic. However, the sleepover returned junior year, and the whole team went to Sofia Beseth's '22 house and slept in tents in her backyard. That was so much fun. The night is usually filled with hide and seek, bracelet/keychain making, singing, eating candy, and other team bonding activities. Every morning after the sleepover, we woke up and played the Alumni Field Hockey Game. The field hockey sleepover always brought the team closer together, and was a great way to kick off the season. Although, the team sleepover was just the beginning; I never stopped building connections with my teammates. They made my experience memorable. I will never forget walking out to practice or a game smiling as I thought about my time with my teammates and love for the game. Playing field hockey at Hawken was one of the best decisions I ever made. 

Field hockey has taught me to push myself, advocate for myself and my teammates, and lead by example. My experience has been an ever evolving journey with moments of happiness, frustration, sadness, excitement, and togetherness. From all of these moments and experiences, I learned that I have to bring my whole self every day in order to reach my full potential as a teammate and a player. I need to give my all. When we had a mentally and or physically demanding practice or I had to have a difficult conversation, I had to embrace discomfort in order to navigate these situations. Although feeling uncomfortable is not easy, I now know that this is the only way I can grow. For example, sophomore year, the team traveled down to Columbus for two challenging and exhausting games. We played Olentangy Liberty first and then we faced Upper Arlington. We ended that day having won both games, which was an incredible feeling. We also left Columbus knowing that we played strong and together. I felt so proud because we knew that day was going to be one of the most difficult parts of the season. These are just a few times when I had to overcome fears. I am thankful for those moments because I am leaving the field hockey program with the courage to face a challenge, and I am unbelievably grateful for everyone who helped me get there.

In addition to finding the motivation and desire to overcome challenges, I learned many other unforgettable lessons since first picking up my field hockey stick. I learned what it means to show up for your teammates, especially in times of frustration or confusion. I learned how to be a team player. When you are out there on the field, there is not one star player. One person cannot win the game for the team nor can one person lose the game for the team. Teams win and lose together. I have learned to play field hockey selflessly: to play for my teammates, coaches, friends, role models, and family. These are some of the greatest lessons I have learned from my time playing field hockey for Hawken. Hawken Field hockey has shaped me into the person I am today.