Our Wildwood, Winter 2019, Volume 44

FEATURE Two Athletes, Three Sports

The Wildwood 5th-12th grade athletics program creates a culture that stokes passion, builds respect for hard work and healthy competition, and instills teamwork and community among all students, whether they play one sport, many sports, or assist the teams in other ways. It’s a culture that embodies our core Habits of Mind and Heart. LEXI K. ’20 Lexi K.’s soccer career began 12 years ago, first in AYSO and then in club soccer, until something changed—she stopped playing. A Wildwood student since 5th grade, Lexi saw opportunities to grow in other ways as her 8th grade year approached. A year later, renewed and refreshed, Lexi recommitted herself to her passion and the grinding club season. It lasted all of one game. In her first game back, Lexi broke her ankle. She healed and rehabbed, only to return and break her collarbone. Undeterred, with Division 1 college and beyond on her mind, Lexi returned to action, joining the Wildwood team not just to compete but also to lead. Described by coach Jenn Partenheimer as a “mini- coach on the field,” Lexi quarterbacked the team from her center forward position, doing whatever it took to help the girls team finish the 2017-18 season as undefeated league champions. Coach Jenn cites the efforts Lexi took to “raise the level of competition” for every team member, at every practice. Despite her junior status, because of her leadership, hard work, and natural skills, Lexi was offered a commitment to play at the University of San Diego, a Division I soccer program. She accepted the offer at USD because it affords her an opportunity to continue her pursuit of the U.S. women’s national soccer team with a stellar coach, as well as a challenging academic program. She’s well-prepared for both. ASHA F. ’19 While Asha F. loved to compete from a young age, no one sport fueled her passion. When she arrived at Wildwood in 10th grade, she didn’t take seriously her decision to try track until the day a teammate asked if she could jump over a trash can. Intrigued by the challenge, Asha sized up the can, timed her steps on the approach, and leaped it with ease. In that moment, a dream was unleashed and a long

Lexi K. ’20 received a scholarship offer in her junior year to play at the Division 1 level.

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