I have been an athlete for as long as I can remember, so it is strange to not be able to call myself that any longer. I started playing soccer and basketball when I was five, softball when I was eight. My senior year of high school, I threw field hockey into the mix.

That’s right, I played four sports in one year. This was only possible because of COVID causing my soccer season to be pushed into the spring. I also happen to be the only senior that chose to take advantage of the extra season. I played goalie in field hockey, which was a new experience, but it gave me more appreciation for a sport that both of my sisters had played. Then I played basketball, and though I was forced to play post last year, I was able to go back to playing guard. And yes, I know a 5’3 girl playing basketball, let alone playing center or forward doesn’t make sense– it didn’t make sense to me either, but it’s what my coach wanted. Soccer happened in a weird floating season between basketball and softball, and I played keeper. That position was kind of new, as I dabbled in it in practices beforehand and even played there in an indoor league. I mostly played defense before that, but it was still valuable in showing how hard it is to play protective roles in soccer. My final sport was softball, and though I have played in the majority of positions, including catching for over five years, acting as a first baseman my senior year was probably my favorite one. It wasn’t nearly as hard on my knees and I was still active in the majority of plays.

This is why it is so hard for me to renounce my self-proclaimed title of athlete. I even managed to be captain in the latter three sports, despite the fact that the level of skill I have doesn’t measure up to playing in college, which is why I no longer can call myself one. The spirit of an athlete never leaves though, it just must be applied elsewhere.