Since the 7th grade, Maddie Reisz has worked diligently to improve her field hockey skills, and now she’s headed to Amherst College. Reisz never intended to play field hockey; as a child she played soccer. It wasn’t until middle school, when her friends pressured her to join the team, that she discovered her talent for the sport.
“I got into field hockey because I was dragged, but it’s the best decision of my life,” Reisz said.
Reisz has been a part of numerous teams since then, including the Upper Arlington Golden Bears, which, as of Oct. 15, is ranked the best field hockey team in the state.
“This year has been really fantastic, we’ve had some really good games, it’s so fun to be a part of that,” she said.
Reisz’s love for field hockey is centered around her teammates, and she credits them for the season’s success.
“We have a really great group of girls this year. We’re really close, and we have 11 really great seniors leading the team,” she said. “They’re my family and they’re my best friends.”
Her role models are her coaches, who have helped her succeed in the sport.
“I have a set of really amazing coaches at both the high school and the club level that have always pushed me,” Reisz said.
Her success is not based solely on her team though. She thanks her parents too.
“My parents have always been my number one supporters. They go to every single game I’m at, and it means a lot to me for them to be there,” she said.
In addition to relying on her parents’ support, Reisz drives the same route before every game, and listens to the same artist to ensure she does her best on the field.
“I always have to drive myself to the game, or to the bus to the high school. I drive the same route. It’s like a ritual for me. I also listen to John Mayer in the car on the way, which is really, like, niche. I don’t know why I do that, but that’s a pretty big pregame ritual for me,” Reisz said.
Her rituals and support systems are important, especially in the competitive worlds of varsity sports and college admissions.
Reisz says the pressure sometimes gets to her head.
“I have had some, I would say, mental blocks with the sport, where I’m kind of a perfectionist, so I can get down on myself when I make mistakes, but I’ve kind of grown to overcome mistakes much better now, which is good,” she said.
Luckily, a lot of that pressure has been lifted now that she’s committed to play in college.
“It’s been a difficult few years with recruiting and stuff like that. It’s been stressful, but now that I know where I’m going to go, it’s a lot of stress off my back with college applications and stuff like that, and knowing I have a place to go and a family to be a part of when I’m there,” Reisz said.
When she gets to college, Reisz plans on double majoring in biology and neuroscience, possibly pursuing a minor in history. Outside of school, Reisz spends her time training, or pursuing her hobbies.
“I love to bake, and I’m a big reader too, whenever I get free time. I also love to hang out with my friends,” she said.
While she will miss the little moments with her team, she’s looking forward to a new challenge and experience. With collegiate play at Amherst on the horizon, her field hockey career is far from over.
