Our Athlete of the Week is Caitlin Mitchell, a Junior and varsity captain for girls’ field hockey for the Grandview Wolves.

How did you start playing field hockey? 

Honestly, my mom forced me into it and that’s how I learned. 

How did you become your team captain? 

Well, We have an application you can fill out for it and the coaches go through the applications. I think it mostly just had to do with my team, trusting me and just getting along with everyone. 

 How do you keep your team accountable as a captain? 

It’s definitely a lot of in-the-moment things like telling them to stop goofing off or stuff, but also encouraging them when they do good things. 

What is your relationship with your team and your coach? 

 I’m super, super close with all of my team, everyone on there, they’re really unique and I love them all and I’m really close with all of the coaches too and we just hang out a lot. 

What is your favorite thing about field hockey? 

My favorite thing is definitely just getting to play the sport and having the opportunity to play with my friends as well.

What inspired you to start playing? 

Well, a few of my mom’s old students did it and it looked really fun so I figured I should just try. 

Do you have any advice for an aspiring field hockey player? 

 Yes, definitely. Don’t be afraid to try new things and make mistakes and even if you think you don’t have skill in the sport, just keep going at it until you get it. 

How has playing field hockey changed your personal life? 

I’m definitely way closer with a ton of different people who I don’t think I would have ever met without field hockey and it does take up a lot of time but it’s doing something I love. 

What has been your most memorable match and why?

My most memorable match was the game against Shy and Mountain my freshman year and it is because we actually had a rain delay for three hours. Me and my team really bonded during those three hours. 

Speaking of bonding, how do you bond with your teammates? 

Me and my teammates, honestly, we joke around a lot during practice and when we have our weights or our team bonding together, we honestly just make jokes out of everything and it’s really fun. 

How do you balance school work with your sport?

Honestly, after I go to practice every day and after practice, I don’t really let myself rest before doing homework or if there are games, I make sure to catch up on homework before. 

How do you stay focused while playing field hockey? 

Honestly, you just kind of have to let your mind let go of all stress from the day and focus on playing the sport. 

What do you think you can improve on overall as a player? 

I would say I could improve on just not getting in my head after one mistake.