“Are you ready to try your absolute best today?” Said my dad. I was trying out for a travel hockey team. I was very nervous to go, but I was ready for what was to come. I got new hockey skates and have been practicing since last season. If anyone was going to make that team, it would be me.

It was a sunny day in May, and whilst the temperature was hot, I would be in the cold. I would be trying out for my first-ever travel team. I was scared, nervous, and anxious, but most of all I was yearning to go out and try my hardest to accomplish what I wanted to. I was in the locker room getting ready with a lot of new people I had never met before, I felt like an extraterrestrial in a new home.  The cold metal of the locker room bench bit into my skin as I sat nervously lacing up my skates. Even so, I wouldn't let that stop me from doing my best. It was now time to get onto the Ice, and the bitterly cold air hit my face, like a tennis racket hitting a ball. The bright lights cast a dazzling glare onto the ice, and there was a sense of excitedness in everyone that was trying out. 

At the start of the tryouts, we warmed up and did some skating drills. The bright lights shone onto the ice, illuminating the faces of the other players, who looked just as focused and determined as I felt. I could see beads of sweat on some players' faces, and the way they moved, some were fast and others were slow, but all had a sense of determination in their eyes. The metallic tang of adrenaline filled my mouth as I waited for my turn to perform the skating drills. My mouth was dry and I could barely swallow. The coaches measured everyone’s speed, and even though I wasn’t the fastest skater, I still believed I did all right against everyone else. I was doubting myself while competing in the other drills which involved 1v1s, 2v2s, shooting, 2v1s, etc. The coaches were like hawks, always watching and analyzing every move we made. I felt like I did good, but I wasn't a lot better than most of the other players trying out. I was playing as well as I normally do, but I was making a lot of mistakes. Going from a B-level team to a AA  team (Ranks in OH: B, A, AA, and AAA is the highest)  was very difficult because I wasn’t used to playing other players who were as good or better than I was. Once the drills were done, everyone was split up into 2 teams for a scrimmage to see everyone’s “In game” skills. Halfway through the game I got passed the puck from one of my teammates, and aimed for the top right corner of the net, the puck was a ticking time bomb, waiting for me to shoot it into the goal, the hard, round puck shot off my stick like a rocket going into space, and I scored.  As the tryouts progressed, the stakes became higher and higher. Each shift brought new challenges and obstacles, testing my abilities and pushing me to my limits. I had to dig deep and find reserves of strength and determination I didn't know I had. My nerves were on edge, and my heart was pounding as I tried to stay focused and keep my cool under pressure. The other players were fierce, but I knew I had to give it my all if I wanted to come out on top. By the end, I was burnt out from trying my hardest for that long. My nervous and anxious feelings were no longer present, and I was just excited to find out if I made the team.

Each and every person in that room was tense. Both the players and parents alike were eager to have the team rosters come out. The Coaches said it would take an hour, but it felt like a millenium. Once the 1 hour mark hit, the teams were published on the bulletin board. I had worked so hard in the tryouts, and played the best I ever had. If I didn't make the team I would be crushed. If I did make the team I would be ecstatic. I went to check with my dad to see the rosters. As I was walking to the board my thoughts started, ‘What if all of my hard work was for nothing, what if I never could make a travel team?’ But even with these thoughts I still tried to stay hopeful. I checked the board to see if I had gotten a spot. I had made the team. I had done it. All the hard work was finally paying off. 

“I am proud of you for trying your best, and accomplishing your goal.” Said my dad

That stuck with me for my next couple years. I continued to work hard to achieve what I aspired to, and work hard in everything else I did. As Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”