Sophie Towne ‘21 is truly a force both on and off the field. She played varsity field hockey throughout all 4 years of high school and committed to Georgetown’s Division I Field Hockey Program in the beginning of her junior year. For Sophie, this commitment is her biggest accomplishment in the sport, along with winning the Inter-Ac title her sophomore year. She is most proud of her commitment because she “basically did everything on [her] own.” Her coaches and family were always there to support her, but she ultimately made all the decisions. Sophie commented on how she “worked hard to get the attention of coaches and set high standards” for herself. When asked about her motivation, Sophie noted how most great athletes have a motto that they frequently repeat to themselves. For her, this motto is,“there might be others who are better than you, but there will not be anyone who works harder than you”. She highlighted how putting in extra work, not complaining, and “wanting to go to practice, wanting to get stronger, and wanting to push yourself harder” played a big part in achieving her goals. Sophie emphasized how her love for the feeling of “working towards something” and her will “to put in the work and take the extra step” enabled her to reach her ultimate goal of committing D1.
When looking at schools, Sophie knew she wanted to go somewhere with a very high level of both academics and athletics. She attended several college camps, but Georgetown stood out to her right away. Sophie had an instant connection with the coaches and the team, and knew she “played really well and left knowing [she] made an impact” after the camp. She explained how she was “looking for a younger coach who is athletic herself and plays with the girls, similar to Jackie [GA US field hockey coach].” Working hard in preseason and showing everyone what she has to offer is what excites Sophie the most for next year.
Despite committing early in her high school career, Sophie’s serious mentality towards field hockey truly began in sophomore year. In a recent interview, Sophie gave a short recap on her field hockey career so far. Club field hockey is where Sophie realized her true love of the game. She loved how it was “more competitive,” and it inspired her to “take [hockey] more seriously”. By sophomore year, she knew she wanted to continue playing field hockey after high school. Since her commitment in junior year, Sophie has spent her last two high school years enjoying the game and motivating the people around her to always try their best. She describes the act of balancing school and athletics as “very stressful, but also rewarding and honoring.” She stated that she “wouldn’t want it any other way” because although it is difficult at times, she enjoys having people come to her asking for advice. Sophie commented on how motivating others helps her motivate herself to achieve her own goals, and she loves knowing that she has a genuine effect on people.
The GA thanks Sophie for the years she has spent as a field hockey player and as a valuable member of the GA community. We wish you well in your athletic career and other future endeavors!
