Our new "normal" is anything but. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives have changed in ways big and small. Everyone has a story to tell, and since we can't be together during this time, our "Eagle Exclusive" series will help us gain insight into the current lives of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. This week's Eagle Exclusive, presented by DC Trails, features rising senior Lauren Fredricks of AU Field Hockey.
1) Tell us a little about your life right now. Where are you located? Who are you with? How do you spend your time?
Right now, I am still living in Washington, D.C. with my teammates at our off-campus house. I am very lucky to live with Aidan, Jette, and Ella - they keep me entertained and busy! We just finished out the semester so we have lots of free time now, so we have been exploring D.C., while socially distancing!
Lauren Fredricks (front, right) with teammates Aidan Rossman (front, left), Ella Arata (back, left), and Jette Dieckmann (back, right)
2) What are the biggest day-to-day challenges you face?
The biggest day-to-day challenge that we are currently facing is what to do. We are very lucky to have each other during this scary time, and we rely on each other to keep morale up and to stay busy!
3) What do you most look forward to doing when the crisis eventually passes?
When the crisis eventually passes, I am looking forward to playing some hockey and hopefully seeing more of my teammates! With a short spring we missed out on a lot of time spent together, and I really miss being able to see them every morning and giving/getting hugs.
4) Has the time at home brought any positives to your life?
The time at home has made me reflect on my life and my university experience. I am very lucky to go to a school like AU and be a part of a team like AUFH. I am very grateful to have the support system I do to make this crazy time slightly less scary.
5) Switching to some fun questions, what other sport in AU Athletics would you most like to play for a day and why?
If I would play another sport, I think it would be volleyball. I am not super tall but I think it is a really fun sport to play! They have a really good winning culture and I think it would be cool to be a part of that team.
6) Have you picked up any new skills, hobbies or new interests in your time at home?
During my time at home I have been doing lots of reading. I have finished four books so far and I just started
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. My roommates and I also have been playing lots of board games. Ella and I have very intense checker games often. So far I am undefeated!
7) What's your top moment from your time at AU?
I have two top moments from my time at AU so far. One would definitely be winning the Patriot League Championship this past season. We had worked so hard all spring and had so many new members join our team, and we all had the feeling day one that we were going to do amazing things during the season! My other favorite moment would be my sophomore season on September 15 when we played Boston University. I tore my ACL my freshman spring and had surgery, then rehabbed the rest of the semester and all summer to be ready for the season. I was cleared the week before that game and so BU was my first game back and will always hold a special moment in my heart. Shout out to Sam Rasso - the best trainer ever!
8) Anything else you want to add?
I also just wanted to add that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I am a member of SAAC and one of our initiatives this past year was to bring awareness to mental health specifically in student athletes. During this crazy time, I just want to emphasize the importance of checking in on your teammates and the people that you love. We can all get through this together!
For the latest on American University Field Hockey, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_FieldHockey) and Instagram (@aufieldhockey).
