Rodgers improves her game

by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor

There was a time when the summer meant relaxing, and taking it easy, after a busy school year. It was meant for summer vacations, and spending time with friends.

Now summer, for some, is meant to improve their game - and get in front of as many college coaches as possible. Summer league’s and travel ball have become a big thing. After a grueling high school season, many athletes continue to play with their club team.

Aiming to get better, and not be left behind.

Pioneer’s Ella Rogers is one of the players that has continued to find ways to get batter once her high school season has come to and end. Rogers makes sure she participates in as many clinics, and tournaments, as she can throughout the year.

That’s why Apex was such a great experience this summer.

“My experience at Apex was incredible! I am beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to train with some of the best coaches and players across the country, and to elevate my game to the next level,” stated Rogers. “Apex was also an excellent opportunity to learn in-depth about a range of different college programs, and to be able to showcase my own skills among the best.”

Apex taught Rogers a lot about herself. Here Rogers was going up against some of the best field hockey players in the country, not just Western New York.

Like most athletes, Rogers struggles at times with the pressure that comes with playing a sport she loves. When you are good at something all eyes have a tendency to be on you more. That puts a lot of pressure on the person to perform.

Rogers has been a consistent performer, moving up the ranks at Pioneer. First she played on the junior varsity as a seventh and eight grader, before moving up to the varsity last year. With all that talent comes a lot of pressure.

As the Townson head coach said at Apex playing field hockey should be where you forget all your troubles, and be stress free.

“Playing with the best of the best, I learned that I need to be mentally stronger. As an athlete, as i’m sure many can relate, I struggle with the pressure of preforming my best each time I step onto the field. I am both my biggest supporter, and my worst critic. At Apex, I learned to shift my perspective,” stated Rodgers. “During introductions, the head coach at Towson University told us that playing Field Hockey should be a place where we forget our troubles, and that it should be stress relief. She told us that we need to remember to be having fun! I realized then, that the key for me to build myself up mentally wasn’t to criticize or nitpick- the key was to just simply have fun with the sport that I love.”

Rodgers will look to keep that same mentality when she starts her sophomore season for Pioneer in a couple of weeks. Last year, Rodgers was a wide-eyed freshman trying to make the team.

Not only did she make the team but Rodgers cracked the starting lineup. She grew up fast last season, both on and off the field. She learned how to anticipate the play more, as playing at a higher level the game goes that much faster.

“It was daunting to be on the starting lineup last season, but I was super excited to step up to the challenge! I’m just grateful to my coach for seeing the potential to pull me up in the first place,” stated Rodgers. “ Playing at the Varsity level as a freshman matured me both as a player and person. I learned to anticipate many different styles of play that vary from program to program, I also learned that I am capable of much more than I had thought previously possible. I had to adapt to a dramatic change in pace as well, but I consider myself lucky to have had such a supportive team right behind me.”

With a season of varsity under her belt, Rogers is looking to step up more as a leader. She is looking to welcome the younger girls that are being pulled up this year, and help them with the transition from junior varsity to varsity.

She also will be a lot more comfortable, which will translate to her game.

“Having already played a year of Varsity, I feel comfortable and confident enough in myself to step up as a leader in this coming season,” stated Rodgers. “I’m excited to welcome the girls that are being pulled up and to help them, just like my older teammates had helped me last season. We have such a great team dynamic at Pioneer- i’m so excited to see what this team can accomplish.”

What Rodgers is trying to accomplish is having her stock rise so college coaches will take notice. Make no mistake Rogers is a team first player. She will put the team ahead of everything.

In the process, however, she is hoping to continue to have another great year and have her stock rise. College recruiting is different for every sport, and person. Rodgers started looking into colleges back pin eight grade.

She has been to numerous ID camps already, and continues to look into programs that she thinks will fit her needs. Only a sophomore, Rodgers still has time to decide where she wants to go.

“I started looking into college programs when I was in eighth grade. My coach at the time was extremely knowledgeable about the recruiting process and led me through the basics. Since then, I’ve been to many I.D clinics and emailed many coaches in order to learn about their programs- and what might be the best fit for me,” stated Rodgers. “I am on a program called NFHCA recruits, where coaches can view my profile and learn about me as an athlete, as well as a person. Everyone’s recruiting process is different, and I am still undecided. Still, what drives me to keep going is my passion for hockey, and that I want to play at the highest level I can!”