Samantha Thebarge '23 Recruiting Profile

For me I have grown up playing the sport of Field Hockey. It is a sport that i love to play and I have been fortunate enough to be allowed to play this wonderful sport all year round. For me the drive from my parents has always been a factor to me playing as they would never let me miss a practice or game. This crazy year where we were barely able to have a season has made me want to play even more. Every chance that I have to get on the field with my friends, or family i'm on it. I am fortunate to have a cage at my house so I can do my skill work from home so I never miss a beat. Having other family members who have gone through the same school system and played this sport has made me want to push myself to higher standards to reach the level they played at. Through this sport I have learned that throughout all different schools there are other girls that are very competitive. This drives me to push myself and those around me to be our best at all times while we play and in our normal lives. In high school my education comes before all else and field hockey is a privilege. So in order to play the sport I love I am committed to focusing on school work to make sure I am able to go places in life.  I strive to achieve all A’s in my classes.  This will give me a better chance of being accepted at multiple colleges so I can have more choices. In my high school career I came in as a freshman and the senior class had 14 girls that filled every spot on the field for our varsity team. I wanted to be on varsity as a freshman so I pushed myself against the seniors. I worked hard and I made varsity my freshman year. In order to do this I was not able to lay back and just go through the motions.  Instead, I pushed myself everyday. I am a very vocal person on the field and if any of my teammates need help on or off the field I am always there for them. On the field I have great vision and am able to see gaps and know where I'm going before the ball is close to me. I can see pockets between players and find the most effective way to help my team. I have a very powerful hit and sweep and I am able to lift the ball over players into pockets. I am not limited to one position.  I am able to play in any position that I am most effective for my team. My freshman year I played all over the field wherever I was needed and my sophomore year I earned a starting position as a midfielder.   

My favorite part of my high school career thus far, was winning the Maine Class-A State Championship my freshman year. We came out of that game with a perfect season along with an amazing experience. With that season I grew so much as a person and student-athlete. After that I pushed myself to be ready for any position that I could get the next year whether it be the sweep or a forward. The people around me make me a better person and I am always up for a challenge. 

I was excited to be named captain of my varsity team at the end of this past fall season.  As a sophomore, this is extremely rare.  I look forward to leading my team during the next two years of my high school career.  I am very interested in going to a college that can give me a great education and has a field hockey program that will challenge me.