Alexa (Lexi) Gwyn '21 Recruiting Profile

Field hockey has been an important part of my life since I first picked up a stick in the 3rd grade. I am constantly striving to improve my game, whether it’s working hard on the field with my team or practicing skills on my own. However, what sets me apart from other recruits is how hard I have worked just for the opportunity to be on the field.  

When my family moved from Sydney, Australia to California in 2015, I knew I would be fine as long as I could play field hockey. I found a great club team, but neither my middle school nor the high school I would attend had a field hockey program. I decided the only thing to do would be to convince my high school to start a program. Initially, I got a lot of pushback, but I wasn’t deterred. I researched the number of field hockey programs in our league and the different sports offered at my school for boys and girls. I got 48 students from my school to sign a petition. When the answer was still “no” for the fall of my freshman year, I started a lunchtime field hockey club instead. I borrowed equipment from coaches I knew, and each week I taught students at my school about the game and how to play. Finally, in the spring of my freshman year, I got the best news I could imagine - field hockey would become a sport the following fall. That’s when the hard work really began. I had to find a coach, interested players who could be pulled away from other sports, and more importantly, I had to remember how to have a beginner’s mindset. Challenges aside, watching the team develop has been nothing short of inspiring. This season we have come back stronger and blown coaches away with our level of improvement. Individual player skills are increasing, and we are working better together as a team. While there have been bumps along the way, I’ve found those bumps to be essential to my (and our team’s) learning. 

Helping to build my school’s field hockey team has been one of the hardest and one of the most satisfying undertakings I’ve ever experienced. Taking on the role of one of the team captains as a sophomore was challenging, but I learned a lot from my co-captains. Acting as a captain again this season, I can see my growth but also realize there is still much to learn. What I enjoyed most about the season was not whether we were winning, but celebrating small victories with my teammates as we learned and grew together. I’m grateful to my coach and teammates for supporting my growth. I also feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to play alongside so many passionate and skilled players both in my school and club teams.  

I aspire to find a College or University where I can continue to play competitive field hockey and pursue my academic interests in STEM. I look forward to bringing my leadership, dedication, and skills to the College or University that will support me to be the best player and student that I can be.