Pulling past defenders, senior Callie Hummel makes her way towards the cage on the opposite end of the field. Raising her electric green stick behind her, she swings, making contact with the solid plastic ball and sending it flying into the goal. 

During her freshman year, Hummel had no idea that she would one day be playing field hockey. Four years later, she finished as the second-best player in Saint Louis according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

“I was really surprised [about the ranking]. Sophomore year I didn’t even know if I wanted to play in college,” Hummel said. “It went from freshman year, [where] people didn’t know who I was to senior year.”

Hummel finished the year with 23 goals and 17 assists for a total of 64 points. Players are awarded one point for every assist and two points for every goal, both of which are reported after each game. 

“I think the whole team really stepped up this year and everybody’s improved so much,” Hummel said, “They really pushed me [and] they’re really hard-working. I didn’t want to let them down.”

Hummel initially planned to play volleyball during her freshman year, but chose field hockey because of encouragement from her coach Dawn Callahan. Hummel also chose field hockey because the sport involves more running.

“Her speed helps her. She’s very quick, she can get by defenders. She has a knack for finding that space and getting that shot off. [Callie] has a quick shot so it kind of throws the goalkeeper,” Callahan said. “She’s just an incredible athlete.”

Hummel’s success has attracted media attention, prompting college recruiters to contact her, with Lindenwood University, Concordia University and Bellarmine University topping her list.

“[Callie] can use those skills, work ethic and that drive to succeed in all aspects of her life. [She is] very determined, if some way doesn’t work, finding another way,” Callahan said. “[She is] determined and open to ideas and trying different things. That can help [her] long, long after [she] hangs up [her] cleats in high school.”

The field hockey team practiced from 3-5 p.m. most days, sometimes later in the evening. They trained anywhere from the turf to the grass field to the wrestling room.

“[Callie] dedicates so much time and energy to field hockey every day. She never holds anything back at practice. Every time she is on the field she is energized,” sophomore midfielder Annie Zahoran said. “Every goal she scores she works really hard for. There wasn’t an easy goal for her.”

During her freshman year, Hummel scored a total of four goals. At the end of her senior year, Hummel has managed to accumulate 58 career goals, scoring 23 in this past season alone.

“It took a lot of hard work to get there. I trained a lot during summer, like running to get in shape,” Hummel said. “Starting freshman year, I would just swing and miss every single time. It’s a huge accomplishment.”

Field hockey also helped Hummel push through difficult classes.

“It would get me out of bed,” Hummel said. “It all comes down to how hard you work, how much time you put in and how much you really want it. [You need to] have dedication and discipline.”