the tryout

A very bright and sunny morning was the first day of my high school soccer tryouts as an incoming freshman. I knew I had to gain the courage to overcome any obstacle that comes my way at my first high school soccer tryout. I had mixed emotions, feeling nervous and anxious to walk onto the field. There were so many questions I had but didn’t have an older brother or friend to help comfort me by answering multiple questions of mine. How many guys are trying out? How is the soccer coach? How good the competition would be in attendance? Of course, as soon as I walk up to the field I see groups of high school soccer athletes cracking jokes and putting their gear on before the tryout session began. I was shaking because I didn’t know one person while everyone else had their click of friends. Everyone acted like they didn’t even notice I was there because I was just a freshman and a newbie to the team. Scared to even speak a word to anyone I began to be amazed on the advantage of height, weight, and muscle each upperclassman had over me. I felt like a mouse and they were all lions. All I could think about was when this tryout would end! Despite my fear of every upperclassman, I tried to become mentally focused for the start of the tryout. The coach walked up to the field standing at 6’6 and a deep voice that could scare Christmas away from kids, he then shouted to the athletes, “Get on the goal line we are doing sprints.” Sweat began to pour down my face while pumping my legs and arms as fast as I could to keep up with the upperclassmen. I wanted to catch the coach’s eye and prove that I could handle playing with the upperclassman. Halfway during the sprints some athletes began to quit and walk off the field because they thought it was too intense and weren't ready for the challenge. Now those who quit new their chances of making the team became slim. I sparked an