Summer journal - Week 4
Note: Each week throughout the summer, a captain from the Razorback soccer team will write a journal entry to share with fans their thoughts on the upcoming season and what the team is doing to prepare. The entries will rotate among sophomore Allie Chandler, senior Camille Flores, junior Kendal Winston and senior Britni Williams. This week’s installment is from Winston.
I’m writing this from Destin, Fla. I am here for nine weeks participating in a program through one of our Christian ministries at our school. It has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I’m so thankful to be experiencing. I have already been here for five weeks, so in four weeks I will be back with the team! I can’t wait, I miss everyone so much!
The team has been doing all kinds of exciting things this summer outside of soccer. I’m thankful we play for a coach (Erin Aubry) who stresses to us the importance of reaching our soccer goals, but she also encourages us to go out and experience life as well. The team has been all over the place experiencing things. Kelly O’Connor just got back from watching the World Cup in South Africa, Sam Bolton just got back from a four-week backpacking trip in Europe, Camille Flores is working an internship with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball team in Springdale, I am in Florida, some are home with their families for the first session of summer, and others are in Fayetteville taking classes and working out. It’s really fun getting to hear about the different things people are doing.
Most of the team will be arriving in Fayetteville this week. I know it’s going to be great for everyone to be reunited again. Our team truly is a family and when we aren’t together, we are always missing each other! We are not just teammates, we are best friends. This week is also the time for our annual overnight Razorback camp. This week is an exciting time because we get to see future Razorbacks and get to play with our fans who support us all year long. It’s great to serve our community and show them how special it is to be a part of a program like we have at the University of Arkansas.
Even though I am not with the team, I have been working really hard with a goalkeeper coach here and completing the summer packet coach gave us. I talk to the girls all the time and I know they are working really hard in Fayetteville. Knowing how hard they are working has really kept me motivated. The season is right around the corner and everybody is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! All the hard work we have been doing is about to pay off. It’s an exciting time to be a Razorback. We are confident big things are ahead!!
