Chapman’s freshman athletes discuss transition from high school to collegiate sports
Going from high school to college is a big change for any person, let alone athletes who must adjust quickly to their new environment to perform at a top level. Illustration by YANA SAMOYLOVA, Illustrator
The step-up from high school sports to the collegiate level is a different process for every athlete. There is no set adjustment plan, and talented young people must find their way in a new environment that presents a plethora of challenges.
Freshman athletes at Chapman University have learned the rigors and intensity of playing in college. They’ve also gained new relationships and experiences that could shape their next three years at Chapman.
Trenton Dewar, an undeclared freshman wide-receiver on the football team, said that the talent level in college is much higher than high school.
“In high school, there were a few talented players on each team,” Dewar told The Panther, “Whereas in college, every person on the field is one of the most talented players from their area.”
That step up in talent could certainly be a shock for freshman athletes, but the wisdom of upperclassmen teammates can be a guiding force.
“(My upperclassmen teammates) had a huge impact on the development of the person and player I am today,” Dewar said. “I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from the upperclassmen is every person in the football program matters and has an impact in what we do.”
Finding a sense of belonging within a new team is hard, but it is a key to success at the collegiate level. If a freshman athlete finds community within their new team, it can empower them to perform at their best.
Sara Talmaci, a freshman distance swimmer and accounting major, provides insight into what it's like being a first-year in an individual sport.
“My biggest challenge has been getting used to the new environment,” Talmaci said. “I’m swimming in a new pool with new coaches who have different coaching styles and a new set of teammates who I had to get to know.”
A simple change in daily routine is enough to create a mental barrier for freshman athletes. Being a college athlete can be a balancing act. You must find a way to do your school work, be dedicated to your sport and have a social life. Talmaci, however, says that her coaches did a great job of helping the swimmers mentally this season.
”My coach prioritizes mental health and wellbeing a lot more (than high school coaches),” Talmaci said. “Swimming is an individual sport, and I’ve always been told that you have to be four times stronger mentally in order to do well physically. This still is important in my college career, but we put in the effort to make this work in and out of the water by doing mental exercises.”
Kaimana Newman, a fellow freshman majoring in film and television production who plays midfielder for the men’s soccer team, said he has noticed how much more mature his college teammates are as opposed to high school.
“At every practice we have, each player is there to make themselves and their teammates better,” Newman said. “The intensity is higher, and we hold each other accountable for mistakes.”
Nobody is there to joke around when it comes to college sports, but Newman said that the team still has fun even when being serious. The team really tries to soak up every moment they get playing college soccer.
“Something I’ve learned from the seniors of our team is that your time as a collegiate athlete goes by fast. So, it is important to make the most out of every opportunity, whether that means giving your all when being put into a game or spending some extra time in the gym during the off-season.”
It may seem like you have all the time in the world when you get to college, but if you blink, you certainly can miss it. These freshman athletes at Chapman have learned how to navigate a new environment while gaining knowledge and connection in their first year with their new teams.
“I gained a whole new group of people I get to call my Chapman family,” Talmaci said. “I love my team, and it makes me feel more confident in who I am as a person.”