With the current conditions in the world, it was easy to assume that returning to Mansfield University this semester was going to look very different. However, for athletes on campus, this semester is looking even more strange after the decision was made to postpone athletics until the spring semester. For this week’s series, I interviewed sophomore field hockey athlete, Madison Warner, to see what this semester looks like for her without participating in her sport.
When Warner found out that her season was going to be postponed, she said that it was depressing. It feels weird to her knowing the uncertainty of this season. It hasn’t fully sunk in that they might not even have a season due to the current circumstances with COVID-19, which would be very unfortunate in her opinion. However, Warner says that the girls are still holding themselves accountable in the case that they do get to compete this spring.
Field hockey is not holding official practices, but the girls are doing their own separate workouts such as lifting, running, and conditioning to prepare for the coming season. Although they are not practicing together, the girls are still communicating and remaining there for each other when times are tough. “Someone is always there,” Warner said.
As far as free time goes, Warner is taking the time that she would normally spend in athletics going on Walmart trips, keeping active, communicating with teammates and Facetiming her friends and family. She is also using this time to better herself in academics. “I do definitely think this is an opportunity to take advantage of,” Warner said. When I asked Warner what she is missing the most about her season she said that she really misses her friends. She especially misses her friends that couldn’t come on campus this semester due to the pandemic.
We wish Warner and her team luck and are hopeful that they will get to have a spring season!