Virtual teamwork still makes the dream work
Jefferson girls’ field hockey successfully kicks off tryouts in a hybrid setting
Together, the field hockey team films an Instagram TV video to encourage fun and engaging practices. From left to right, freshmen Nina Garces, Harshal Lobana, Tessa Joseph, and Avery Park show off their field hockey skills at home.
February 23, 2021
The Jefferson girls’ field hockey team started this fall season with a stronger team bond through tryouts, despite a series of obstacles including inclement weather and strict COVID-19 guidelines. Originally, the entire week from Monday, February 15th to Friday, Feb. 19th was scheduled for in-person tryouts at school. However, when Thursday unexpectedly became a snow day, the members of the field hockey team had to make a modification to their regular tryout format.
“We had practice on Google Meet [on Thursday] because of the snow, which was an interesting experience,” sophomore Lauren Fisher said. “It was really relaxed, and we spent a lot of the time just talking, so I think it helped us have better team chemistry.”
On days where tryouts were held at school, all students took COVID-19 safety protocols seriously. Masks were required at all times, and athletes were able to complete skill work and exercises socially distanced.
“We stay[ed] 10 feet away [from other players], and we also [got] our equipment sanitized before and after practice to help stop the spread of germs,” freshman Sinead Molony said.
Regardless of having to miss a day of in-person tryouts, teammates are still doing their best to bond in an online environment. Fun interactive activities like filming a timed outdoor one mile run and creating an Instagram Reel to spark creativity amongst teammates are what cultivate true unity among team members even in a virtual setting.
“There are some [people not] playing this year because of COVID, so I think bonding is going to be essential to our team,” Fisher said.
![Tryouts for the girls field hockey team started on Feb. 15, and were held in-person at TJ.
“I really hope people join [field hockey] since it’s a really good way to make friends,” Hailey Nguyen, a senior on the varsity team, said. “It’s just a great sport and it’s super fun.”](https://www.tjtoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/151755576_193128145927609_8819386678274490143_n-475x329.jpg)
![Photo courtesy of TJ Colonials Sports. “[At tryouts] masks were required at all times, and santization stations were set up so that after a ball was used, someone could clean it,” Anjali Maddipatla, a freshman on the varsity team, said. “We were required to bring our own water bottles so we didn’t have to share.”](https://www.tjtoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/basketball-356x475.jpeg)
![Tryouts for the girls field hockey team started on Feb. 15, and were held in-person at TJ.
“I really hope people join [field hockey] since it’s a really good way to make friends,” Hailey Nguyen, a senior on the varsity team, said. “It’s just a great sport and it’s super fun.”](https://www.tjtoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/151755576_193128145927609_8819386678274490143_n-300x208.jpg)
![Photo courtesy of TJ Colonials Sports. “[At tryouts] masks were required at all times, and santization stations were set up so that after a ball was used, someone could clean it,” Anjali Maddipatla, a freshman on the varsity team, said. “We were required to bring our own water bottles so we didn’t have to share.”](https://www.tjtoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/basketball-300x400.jpeg)
![The Jefferson dance team holds up their trophies for the camera. They placed first in kick and second in lyrical, pom, and jazz. “[Dance] is just really fun,” junior captain Grace Xiao said. “The community and also [our] coach are really chill. Captains have a lot of flexibility.”](https://www.tjtoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-28-153530-600x406.png)
![During a game against Hayfield last year, junior Helena Johnson dribbles across the court. This season, the Jefferson cheer team will be performing courtside at all varsity basketball games. “I didn’t know too much about basketball, but after two games, I caught on,” sophomore cheerleader Caitlyn Wood said. “I think [sideline cheer] is good to have the crowd engaged and keep encouraging the team to do their best.”](https://www.tjtoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/basketball.png)
![Senior running back Christian Min (2) is tackled after a 10-yard carry in the third quarter. In the second half, despite a constant back-and-forth, the Colonials were unable to score. “We’re a good team. It all comes down to how much effort we’re going to put in [and] how focused we decide we’re going to be,” Min said.](https://www.tjtoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0324-475x317.jpg)
