CORRECTION NOTICE: This story from the October 2023 print issue has been updated to reflect and accurately represent the team’s undefeated season.

The days are becoming shorter, and as some of the fall sports come to an end, Oakton gets to reflect on the victorious season of their varsity field hockey team. During this eventful season, the Oakton field hockey team won districts for the first time since 2006. With their hard work and dedication, the team has also won regionals for the first time in Oakton High School history. One member of the team, Anna Sheehan (12) has shared her thoughts about how this season went, saying “we’ve been playing good, and we have had a great record” throughout the season.

Along with their great achievements this season, the Oakton field hockey team have some pre and post game traditions that keep them motivated during their season and boost their teamwork and sportsmanship. Some examples are, doing “buddy gifts and a dance circle,” and “having a stuffed animal called Rowdy, and he nominates who the MVP is”, said Sheehan (12). Caroline Greene (12) elaborates on this sharing, “if we play at home, then we love to have dinner before the game”. 

In addition to their team traditions, the team devotes a lot of time to their skill, they have “a lot of practices,” says Greene (12). She shares that “we do a lot of running, work on endurance, and some shooting skills which help the team get in shape for our games.” They practice six days a week, and “it’s pretty rewarding,” says Greene. 

While much time is devoted to the sport, Sheehan (12) says, “it’s really fun to see my friends, spend time with them, do some form of exercise, and relieve stress”. Overall, the Field Hockey team crushed it, and Oakton looks forward to seeing how the rest of their state championship plays out: excited to see how the next season unfolds.