By Elizabeth Berger '03

Is there life after Deerfield? It is hard to imagine graduating from this place after four, three or even one year and moving on to bigger and better things. Along with the academic rigors and entertaining social life of college, comes the ability to participate in college athletics for many Deerfield athletes.

Taking the next step with one's athletic skills and becoming a college athlete is a major decision. It is a major time commitment along with an increase in competitiveness and intensity. But Deerfield kids manage to find the time to dedicate themselves on and off the field at many Division I or Division III programs across the country.

Lindsay Byrne '02 graduated from Deerfield as a varsity soccer and lacrosse member. She contributed to both teams as a starter and was a valuable team member. She worked hard to earn a spot on Colgate's lacrosse team this year as a freshman. The Colgate team just finished their fall season, and Byrne commented that she "loves playing lacrosse at Colgate; the team is great and a lot of fun. The commitment is definitely a big step up from high school, but it makes it that much more rewarding."

Not only do Deerfield lacrosse players continue their athletic careers on the field, but also many rowers and coxswains continue their athletic greatness on the water. Gaia Benitez '02 plays a major role at the University of Pennsylvania as the first boat coxswain on the crew team. She was a boys' coxswain here at Deerfield and now has taken her talents to contribute to the Quakers. "Crew is intense and challenging because of the time commitment and sacrifices I've had to make, but it has turned out to be very rewarding coxing the first boat and being on a team," Benitez said.

Melissa Gregson '02 rows in the first boat of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology crew team. Co-Captain of rowing at Deerfield, Gregson has become an excellent rower with a lot of potential for the future. Gregson feels fortunate that she has been given the opportunity to play a sport in college and said, "Rowing on the Charles River is an amazing experience. Rowing in general is much more time consuming in college and also a lot more work than at Deerfield. It has been really fun so far, and I have gotten to race in the Head of the Charles, which was unbelievable. I definitely miss rowing for Deerfield and also my teammates, but I am having a blast out on the Charles."

Along with fellow Quaker Benitez, Morgan Olson '02 is a University of Pennsylvania athlete as well. She played squash throughout her Deerfield career and decided to try out for the team once she arrived at school. To her excitement, she made the team. Olson added that "in college, it's so much fun to be part of a team. Although you push yourself incredibly hard and spend so much time doing one thing, you meet some of the most amazing people and take your game to another level. I've loved being on the squash team and its taught me that as long as you try as hard as you can, you can do anything you want."

Deerfield not only graduates stellar girl athletes, but also some amazing male athletes who continue to find success in their college careers. Joe Zappala '02 was a post graduate here last year, being a key member of the Deerfield hockey team. He was recruited by Yale and is in full swing of his season right now. Deerfield hockey was competitive, but he comments that the Division I level is a whole new level. "It's a big step up in many ways. You get taken care of with nice facilities, but in the same regard it's a lot more competitive and a lot more is expected of you. You must perform to your potential every time you step on the ice, because ajob is always on the line with someone waiting for you spot."

Fellow Yale Bulldog William Blodgett '02 demonstrates his talent as an athlete on the football field everyday. He played three sports throughout his high school career, but now focuses on developing his football skills. He acknowledges the time commitment but is thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to play and to meet new guys. "Playing football at Yale is an inspiring experience and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be able to play with the brightest and most talented athletes in the nation. To play among these players is a humbling experience and I find myself having to work harder than I ever did in my high school career."

College athletics are no joke. They require serious dedication which one must understand before making the commitment, but at the same time they are completely rewarding and so much fun. Recent graduates have found success on the playing fields of many schools.