Lindsay Walker '21 Recruiting Profile

Grit-courage and resolve; strength of character

My coaches and instructors have told me I am lucky to posses this quality.  They have stated a player jis born with grit, it is not something easily learned.  I pride myself on having such resolve and strength of character as a player on the field as well as a student off the field.

Off the field I must work hard every day, harder than your average student to understand what is being said and going on around me in and out of the classroom setting, it can be exhausting!  It is my resilience that keeps me going- to do better, to work double time to maintain the same grade as a fellow student.  See, after extensive testing it was detected I have APD-Auditory Processing Disorder.  If you are unfamiliar with APD I can simply explain it as my brain does not properly filter sounds that go into my ear as most people. Average brains can filter out background noise while listening to a conversation, mine cannot so that all sounds come in together, at the same level, almost competing to be heard over one another.  In addition, certain blended sounds can be lost-sometimes making for a very funny interpretation of what I thought was said.  Thankfully, I have a blue tooth ear piece trainer that assists with this filter process in addition to supports to help train my brain.  This took some getting used to over the years.  At times I stood out among my peers however with support from my teachers and parents I learned this is my unique way of learning.  Always having to work hard has proven to help me hone my skills in the classroom and on the field.  Helping drive me to be the best student and athlete I can be.

Having been introduced to field hockey in middle school I have grown to love the challenge, pace, skill and commitment it takes to form a solid team. Joining a club team has introduced me to many different opportunities in the field hockey arena which in turn have sharpened my playing skills. As an athlete, I persevere to work hard and learn more at every clinic, game and/or tournament.  Taking what I have learned onto the field each time I play and practice.  I believe I have the drive, determination and skill to be a productive team member at the collegiate level. It is important that the program I commit to is a good fit academically as well as athletically.