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Kassidy Dietz
WRTC 103
Prof. Fielding
January 2017

Hard Work Pays Off

This was taken January 31, 2017 at 3:50pm. It shows my passion

for soccer takes up a good amount of my life and the equations I

put up in the corner represent the lesson I took from the sport.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines persevere as to continue or remain steadfastly or

constantly in a purpose, disposition, or course of action; esp. in the face of difficulties or

obstacles (Persevere). Most people experience failure multiple times in their lives. If they

want to move past the failure, they must persevere and work hard to accomplish their goals.
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Persevering through multiple failures and rejections, I acquired relationships, skills, and the

determination to lead.

My freshman year at James Madison University has been amazing and exciting thus far,

yet it hasnt been easy. Luckily, I have had great friends, old and new, by my side supporting me.

Before coming to JMU, I had a close group of friends but most of us were going to different

colleges. It was difficult but at least one friend, Megan was also attending JMU. Our friendship

has blossomed even more since coming to JMU. We were assigned to different dorms so I knew I

had to make new friends which has never been easy for me. I have been able to make friends in

my hall and have grown extremely close to a few people in my hall. I would not have found

those friendships had I not risked rejection and failure. The confidence I gained from playing

soccer and never quitting helped me step out of my comfort zone.

The new relationships I have made in college have allowed me to get involved in

different sports. This semester a friend asked me to join her futsal team. I have never played

futsal and was nervous and afraid, especially since I only knew a few people on the roster, but I

agreed. We had our first game this week and it was amazing. I met some great people and had a

good time. I would not have had the confidence to try futsal if it wasnt for my experience with

soccer.

Back in 2010, I decided to play at a more competitive level of soccer; I had been playing

soccer at the recreational level since 2003 but took a break to focus on academics. That fall I

signed up for tryouts. I was a nervous wreck and thought what if Im not good enough and I

know I wont make a team. I knew that was negative thinking so I tried to push those thoughts

away. When tryouts started, I told myself, Be confident and go after what you want. My

father also told me Go out there and have fun. Dont think about anyone else; just do you.
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After tryouts, I was told I would hear from someone soon. A week later I came home from

school got the news that I did not make a team. I was devastated because I had done my best and

it wasnt enough. I thought soccer was over for me. My dad told me If you are serious about

this, keep practicing and tryout again next season. I took his advice and even practiced with my

sisters team. The next year I thought I was ready so I tried out again. I waited anxiously to find

out if I would be offered a position on a team but was rejected again. The rejection was even

worse the second time. I finally decided I would keep trying so I worked even harder on my

skills. That was the year I finally made the Beach FC Eliminators.

I was overjoyed to have finally made a team. I was proud of myself because I stuck with

it and didnt give up. I played on that team until I was a junior in high school. Being a part of

that team boasted my confidence big time but I still had a lot of anxiety because I knew I wasnt

the fittest or the best player. I played four seasons with the Beach FC Eliminations before

deciding to move on to Blue Crush. That was an extremely hard decision because my team was

familiar and comfortable. While playing with Blue Crush, I came into my own. Instead of

playing as a defender, I played as a goalie and I was great at it. I became the sole goalie on the

team until I left. We won many tournaments and games. I learned so much on that team. I gained

a lot of confidence and improved my skills.

Flashback to the middle of sophomore year when I decided to go out for the schools

soccer team. I had been on an advanced team for a while and my confidence had been building.

Every day of the week long try outs I was nervous and anxious with negative thoughts running

through my head. I pushed through and tryouts were finally over. To my surprise, I made the

Junior Varsity team and was so excited that I ran around screaming, YESSSSS. I stepped out
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of my comfort zone and took a risk and it paid off. I moved into the goalie position and did quite

well despite my lack of height.

The season came quickly the following year and I was required to make the varsity team

to continue high school soccer. Tryouts were tough but I did my best. Once again, I received the

names of the girls who made it and I was on that list. That season I worked harder than ever

because I wanted to be a starter. The starting position became more competitive and although I

didnt always start the game I did pour my blood, sweat, and tears into the sport.

I have gotten many things out of joining different soccer teams. I made a lot of friends

through soccer, some of whom I am still close with. I am shy person and soccer helped me come

out of my shell and join clubs and activities in high school.

I learned important lessons from my soccer teams; never stop taking risks and push

through your fear. Being on a team is special because my teammates are there to push me to

improve and support if I mess up. Pel, a famous retired bazillion soccer player, once said,

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, sacrifice, and most of all, love

for what you are doing or learning to do and I think he is one hundred percent correct (Desik).

Its all about the grit work that leads to the success. I learned to take risks that are out of my

comfort zone. If I dont take risks, then I wont grow as person or have growth in the sport. I

have taken quite a few risks, including attending JMU.

Through persevering through the rejection, I developed my skills and relationships. The

whole experience was life changing and taught me to fight for what I want even if I am rejected

multiple times. At the time, I didnt understand the lesson behind all of the rejection and success

but now I realize it was important to go through to make me a better person and a better player. I
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now have the confidence and determination to spread my wings and fly. I will always look back

on this experience to use for motivation and growth.

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Work Cited

Desik, Slavko. Motivational Quotes For Athletes by Athletes. Lifestyle Updated,

www.lifestyleupdated.com/motivational-quotes-for-athletes-by-athletes/.
"persevere, v." OED Online. Oxford University Press, December 2016. Web. 26 January 2017.