Camilla Lennon '25 Recruiting Profile

Growing up I was a bit of an anxious kid who wanted to play sports but struggled with team sports. When I would get the ball in soccer, kids would swarm me trying to get the ball and as a young kid, I was unprepared for that battle. I tried gymnastics. I immediately fell in love with the sport and was thankful to participate in a sport where I could focus and develop my skills without the pressure of also battling other kids on a field. At gymnastics, I was not the best athlete in the gym, but I kept my head down and I worked hard. I did private sessions with coaches' week after week to gain a skill I struggled with. In middle school, while many of my teammates were at the football game on Friday night, I was the gym. For all of my love of gymnastics, something was missing, and I did not like that while I was on a team for gymnastics, essentially, we were all competing against each other, and that dynamic was always present in the gym. Also, while in middle school my little brother began playing soccer. I would go watch his games and be excited about team dynamic and that was something I wanted to be a part of. As I began trying to find a new sport to try, I quickly learned that there are few sports that if you haven't been playing since you were young, you cannot join by middle school. As if it were fate, Mansfield began a field hockey youth program in these moments of my searching. The words "no experience necessary" was all it took for me to figure out what field hockey was and whether I wanted to try it out. I joined the youth field hockey program which was Sunday mornings learning basic skills and playing games on the field at the high school. It was in those Sunday mornings that I learned a lot about myself. I learned that while I may sometimes still feel anxious, that doesn't mean I can't also be aggressive on the field. I learned that when kids swarm at me for the ball hard work and skill is what will keep them at bay. I learned what it felt like to be on a team that worked together for a common goal. Of course, just as I was getting the hang of field hockey COVID hit and I became home bound like the rest of my peers. In my yard, I made my brother do passes with me and wondered if I would ever play field hockey again. My school reopened at the end of 8th grade. As Freshman year approached, I was excited to try out for the field hockey team despite my limited experiences thus far. I went to captain's practices all summer and began the season two weeks before school started. I knew some girls also trying out and I met many more that summer. I made the Freshman team. Beginning high school on a team, especially after so much time homebound due to COVID felt exhilarating. Like gymnastics, I put my head down and worked hard all season. I was honored with the "Most Improved Player" by my coaches that year. I also fell in love with field hockey that year. Learning my position, understanding the rules, watching as I took coaches feedback and saw its success play out on the field made for a great season. I have grown up so much since I was that young kid afraid of the ball. The detriment to that scared young kid is all the years I missed playing field hockey, the benefit has been that my maturity allows me to understand the game and quickly apply corrections from my coaches. I'm sure there are other kids like me out there, and all through high school, I have been a volunteer at the same youth program I started at. I am excited for the opportunity to keep playing in college. At the end of my freshman year, I realized I didn't want to stop playing in three short years when I graduate as I felt like I only just got started. As a college athlete I hope to connect with a coach who will help me grow and develop as an athlete and an individual and to be part of team that enhances my college experience.