Trying something new can be a difficult mental battle to overcome, especially when participating in a sport you have no previous experience in. Brynn Spencer ‘25 decided to take on this daunting task when she decided to join the Hollis Brookline High School field hockey team her sophomore year.
Spencer previously swam competitively for six years at the Infinity Swim Team for Hampshire Hills, Storm Swim Team for the YMCA, and the Hollis Brookline High School Varsity Swim Team. Soon enough, the spark Spencer once felt with her sport faded. Every practice felt like a drag, and she dreaded every day she had to go to swim.
After lots of contemplation, Spencer decided to leave her sport and try out for field hockey. “I was so nervous. I was biting my nails off. I thought, am I going to be any good at this? Am I going to have any friends?” said Spencer.
Spencer’s anxiety remained up until tryouts happened. “I knew some of the girls on the field hockey team going into it, but they already established their own friendships within the team, so I was really nervous,” said Spencer.
Soon enough, tryouts arrived.
When Spencer first told her friend, now captain of the field hockey team, Addison Marchant ‘25, that she was joining the team, Marchant was confident that Brynn would be the perfect addition. “I know that she is a dedicated person and athlete, so I knew that she would make good improvement and make a great player for us,” said Marchant.
During Spencer’s sophomore year, she lacked trust in her own abilities and tended to be a follower of those around her. “When I first started my sophomore year I was very quiet. I had no idea what I was doing. Now I’m more confident in my abilities and with that confidence comes volume in my voice,” said Spencer.
Her exponential growth as both an athlete and a person overall is evident when you see her in action. “She is a leader on our team and she has a very high defensive IQ, so she’s valuable to us,” said Marchant.
The field hockey team describes Spencer as a positive influence, helping continuously fight for a win during the tough games. “She is very good at being positive no matter how bad we are doing in a game or practice,” said Marchant.
Even though Spencer has established her place on the team, like anyone, she still has her moments of doubt.
Since all three captains play an offensive position, Spencer acts as a leader of the defense. “I think she is an unofficial captain in that way because she leads the defense so fearlessly,” said Marchant.
Spencer has similar amounts of experience as some of the freshmen. Because of this, Spencer questions her abilities in a leadership position. “But I overcome my doubts, and I tell myself, ‘you do deserve this,”’ said Spencer
Spencer has shown with her story that it is never too late to try something new. Whether it is something as big as a new sport, or something as little as baking a new pastry, there is always time.
You can see Spencer in action at her last regular game of the season against Souhegan on Oct. 18 at 4pm at Souhegan High School.
