Anita Mayfield-Sheehan '17 Recruiting Profile

When I was forced last winter to stop playing hockey, I realized how important it was to me to get healthy and continue playing in college. I have played hockey since I was 8 and have played at the varsity level in high school all 4 years. Last year I had to have open heart surgery and was faced with the prospect of never playing hockey again. At the time my skills had deteriorated to the point where I was unable to play at the level I knew I was capable of. I thought perhaps hockey was passing me by. When I found a surgical team that told me it might be possible to play again at a high level, I vowed then and there to do everything possible to come back. I had surgery in March 2016, and despite being warned it would take a year to recover, I worked with a trainer and managed to get back in time for varsity field hockey and pre season ice hockey. My surgeon was right - I have been able to play at the level I expect. I am looking forward to continuing to play hockey in college. This experience has taught me that I can absolutely be successful.