In the 2025-26 school year, more than half of the Varsity Field Hockey team (VFH), as well as almost the entire Varsity Wrestling and Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity Crew teams had not played their respective sports before joining their teams at the Upper School (US).
Head Coach of the Boys’ Varsity Crew and Assistant Coach of the Varsity Wrestling program Adam Holland said that after helping so many athletes discover new sports, he sees this as an opportunity that students should take advantage of. Playing a new sport in high school can introduce them to new teammates and help them develop different athletic skills.
According to Coach Holland, students who are willing to join a new team already have something in common.
“Athletes who come to try crew include athletes who are united through their willingness to try something new,” he said. “Students sampling new sports will undoubtedly make new connections and perhaps friends they would not have made otherwise.”
To attract new members, the crew teams work to create a friendly environment where students with no prior rowing experience feel comfortable joining, Coach Holland said.
“The coaches and captains invest a lot of time and energy in making the boathouse a welcoming community. We also, without exception, insist on a boathouse and team atmosphere of positivity and respect. We make sure to create clear expectations, meet each person where they are and help them improve from there,” he said.
A welcoming environment was part of what drew Ari Papageorgiou ’30 to the VFH team. After hearing from former players about the team’s culture, she decided to try out the week before starting her freshman year.
“The hardest part was showing up for tryouts and knowing no one,” Ari said. “I went into tryouts not knowing what the result would be, but knowing that I would have fun and would be proud of myself for trying a new sport.”
According to Ari, pursuing field hockey set the tone for her high school experience. She felt connected with the team as soon as practices began, which gave her confidence.
“I am super excited that I have already taken a risk and pushed myself before starting freshman year,” she said. “Now I feel comfortable to attempt new things when entering the US.”
For Girls’ Varsity Softball and Girls’ Junior Varsity Soccer player Charlotte Dahl ’28, switching sports for the seasons was a tactical move. She said she originally switched from basketball to soccer so she would have a season off before her main sport, softball, began in the spring.
“Last year, I injured myself in basketball which harmed my ability to prepare for the softball season,” she said. “My injuries are part of the reason I switched to soccer this year. Sometimes I wish I started soccer as a freshman, but I do think it was good that I tried basketball because it made me experiment with something new and outside of my comfort zone.”
Changing from basketball to soccer introduced a new set of challenges for Charlotte, but along with them were additional benefits, she said.
“I admit that trying a new sport can be uncomfortable, but it is worth it due to the connections that you form with fellow students. I am really happy that I tried basketball in freshman year, and I am proud that I pushed myself to try soccer this year as well,” she said.
