Alexandra Pond '20 Recruiting Profile

Many of my earliest memories were being on a team playing every sport under the sun. There were practices or games (sometimes multiple) virtually every day of the week, year around. I loved it! I was often placed on teams with kids older than me and I enjoyed the challenge. I learned “playing up” brought out the best in me. The coaches of these sports, along with myself for a while, wanted me to continue to play each sport on a travel team. However, as I grew older, I realized I wanted to focus on one specific sport-field hockey.

For as long as I can remember, field hockey has been the most enjoyable sport to me. I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in Moorestown, where there is an amazing field hockey program filled with talented players who are able to challenge me. I’ve been playing with the same girls my whole life. Going into high school already having strong relationships with them made for much more advantageous seasons. Practicing with the girls who are a year or two ahead of me, and are all incredibly talented, has been extremely beneficial to my play as well. Playing with them and just watching them taught me so much on and off the field. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to have them as teammates. I have learned, throughout the past couple years especially, that putting your team before yourself is the most important thing. During my freshman year and when I got pulled up to varsity during my sophomore year, I learned through the senior captains, the importance of not only pushing myself to my maximum abilities; but to encourage my teammates just as much. We start out nearly every practice with a run in which there is no choice but to push yourself until there is no energy left in you. Getting through these runs was difficult for everyone, especially the less experienced underclassmen. During my first couple years of high school especially, I can’t begin to thank the senior captains enough for running along side of me, cheering me on, and encouraging me to go for one more rep-even though I thought I couldn’t do it. That persistence has shaped me into a better person. Knowing how much of an impact their positivity had on me, I now realize how important it is to do the same for others. I want to now step up even more- take on a bigger leadership role on the team, push everyone, especially the underclassmen, as much as I was pushed.

I maintain similar intensity academically. I hold myself to very high standards. Time management has been critical for me in maintaining my GPA and finding a healthy balance to enjoy my free time too. I give my team as well as my classes 100%. My goal is to carry that passion and success to play for an awesome team at a school where I can get a great education. I believe my resilience and my strong work ethic will continue to make me a great teammate and fellow student.