Since graduating in June and starting college in August, I haven't thought much about my high school life. I'm not saying that high school was the worst four years of my life, but they definitely were not the best; however, being back for winter break and seeing all my friends who are still in high school has made me reminisce on what was most likely the best part of my high school career.
When I was choosing my college, it came down to a choice between the school that had everything I wanted and would set me up for the future, and another school that I could continue my high school sport in. In the end I chose Champlain College and I couldn't be happier; however, this was not the college that offered the sport I fell in love with over the four years I was in high school. I knew when choosing this school that the countless hours of practice I took part in would come to an end, but I am now realizing exactly what it was that I left behind.
When my best friend in eighth grade told me about fencing, I was a little skeptical. I had previously never heard of it and the thought of stabbing other people with long steel rods was a little more violent than my manner allowed. I decided to try it — mostly because of my friend. My first season I was a terrible wreck, like anyone new to a sport that required so much coordination between feet and hand; however, I had a taste of the sport and, for the first time, I had decided that I wasn't going to give up on something I was bad at. Over the next three years, I took extra lessons, made sure to keep in shape and did anything that could help me become a better fencer. At the end of my senior year, I was in the A spot and a captain to the team. I was completely in love with my team and had thrown so much of my time and effort into fencing.
The importance of fencing was so much more than a sport to me. For all four years I was involved, I was never satisfied with my current level and was always striving to become better. My best wasn't good enough and the healthy amount of competition with my peers and competitors made me strive to always be improving. In the past, when faced with a difficult task, I would often give up and admit defeat. The team always supported those who struggled, though, and never turned away anyone who wished to learn.
I was often placed in the position of helping teach the ones who needed a little extra help and it really gave me a new sense of patience and teamwork. Even though fencing is a very individual sport, once my match was over, it was all about the next person up. While they encouraged me, I gave them the same support. With an atmosphere like the one I had with my team, it was easy to make some of my best friends. Even now I see my friends taking over leadership roles on the team and can only feel proud of their accomplishments.
I terribly miss even the longest wall sits and would do double or triple the amount of work if I could step onto the strip once again. The longing I have for this sport could easily be applied to any sport for any athlete who put their blood, sweat and tears into a sport during their high school years and had to leave it behind when entering college. For high school athletes, the sport often becomes a part of their identity. When leaving it behind, it can often feel like there is a gap left that the sport had filled.
Even though I sat through classes every day, I truly believe I learned more from my four seasons than from all my classes combined. I could recite the fencing defenses and offenses better than I could fill out the periodic table, but it has so much more meaning than that. This sport forever shaped me into who I am, and honestly, I would do anything to have one more season.
