WOODBURY- Being a freshman comes with its own challenges and hardships. But for some, there seems to be an extra weight on their shoulders. 

The title “Freshman on varsity” is a term some carry with pride, but are they ready for the challenge? 

At time of publication, 39 freshmen who participate in soccer and volleyball (fall sports at Nonnewaug High School) but only few represent the school on the varsity teams. 

Being a 9th grader on varsity as good as it is, also has its challenges.  

“I feel like it’s a lot of pressure, especially being a freshman,” says Maddie Holtman, a girls soccer player. “Everybody has already played together in previous years, and it’s kind of like we have to prove ourselves”. 

 For these athlete’s first year, some may find that it’s difficult to meet that standard of being varsity so early on in their high school career. 

Logan McGuire, a boys soccer player understands the pressure of being a freshman who plays with varsity. 

“It’s definitely a hard task to perform for varsity, constantly knowing that I could always be put into junior varsity,” McGuire says.  

Although these freshmen might feel the weight of this pressure, the coaches know when the player is ready. Toby Denman, the varsity boys soccer coach, has seen many 9th graders during his 20 years of coaching ready to play at the varsity level.

“It’s a matter of judging skill, game awareness, and athleticism,” Denman says. “The right combination of all three can lead to a freshman being ready to contribute at the varsity level.”

Through the constant pressure to perform well, living up to the expectations, and fear of disappointment, is a rewording side to this accomplishment. 

Olympia Persico, a volleyball player for Nonnewaug High School recognizes her accomplishment.

 “It feels very pressuring but it also feels really great that I’ve been appreciated enough to have made the team,” Persico said.

These high achieving freshmen have plenty of talent and aptitude, this accomplishment is an excellent start to their high school athletic career. 

For athletes like McGuire, he is one of the many 9th graders who understands the significance of earning varsity playing time.

“I definitely worked hard for my spot,” McGuire says. “It’s a huge step in my athletic career for high school soccer.”