Only 2.9% of high school athletes play Division I sports. These athletics programs are competitive environments that require dedication, hard work, and grit to play at the next level. Senior Oona Buckley recently became part of the 2.9%, when she committed to play field hockey at the University of California at Davis.
Buckley, a varsity captain since her sophomore year, has had an impressive high school career. She has been awarded several achievements, like highest goal scorer, MVP, 1st Team All-Division, and 1st Team All-County.
Like any successful athlete, Buckley had to start somewhere. Although it might be hard to believe, when she first tried out for field hockey in the third grade, she absolutely hated it and did not continue playing. It wasn’t until seventh grade, when she decided to give the sport another go at the Next Level Field Hockey Club, that she fell in love with it.
Buckley remembers she first realized she wanted to play in college after an older girl from her club came to help out at one of their practices. Buckley thought she was amazing and talked to her about whether or not she was going to pursue field hockey at the next level. Buckley recalled, “It was the first time I realized that you could get very good at field hockey, and it was at that moment I knew I wanted to do that, and I wanted to play in college.”
When the recruiting process began during her sophomore year, her field hockey commitments kicked into high gear. She had to email schools, make her own film videos, and compete in tournaments and showcases almost every weekend. June 15, the day college coaches could start talking to an athlete, went very well for Buckley. However, the process became more and more stressful, “As [it] goes on, you get played a lot. They lead you on. It’s really hard to know who’s actually interested in you.” Recruitment is difficult for lots of athletes and their families, so having a support system is crucial. Buckley relied on her coaches, family, and friends to have her back through it all.
When it came to schools, Buckley had a good idea of what she was looking for. She wanted a bigger school where she could get a good education. From there, it came down to who was interested in her. Buckley knew UC Davis was the place for her when she visited it for the first time. “I immediately felt like I fit in. I was having really deep conversations with everybody, and I knew that was the place for me. I hadn’t found that in my process yet; I just didn’t love anywhere, and so that was just an amazing feeling, knowing I had found my place.”
For athletes looking to play at the next level, Buckley advises being around people in life who are accepting and understand that an athlete is more than the college they go to. Buckley said, “When I realized this, it allowed me to let go and not put so much pressure on myself, and that’s when I was able to actually be successful.”
Come support Buckley and her fellow teammates at their last game of the regular season at 6:00 p.m. tonight, Oct. 20 at Montgomery Blair High School. The playoff schedule will be released in the coming week.
