School: University of Richmond
Hometown: Escondido, Calif.
Year: Senior
Notes:
• Two-time Atlantic 10 All-Conference
First Team (2008-09)
• Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year (2008)
“My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” – Philippians 1:20
STV: Field hockey isn’t a very common sport. How did you first get involved?
KP: A good friend and I started playing for fun when we were in seventh grade. Our team was in a middle-school league coached by high schoolers and parents. I played soccer and was kind of scrawny for my age, and the fact that field hockey was similar to soccer appealed to me. It was also the newest of all the sports I played, so I had the most excitement for it and really felt like there was room for me to grow in it.
STV: I n your opinion, what’s the most difficult part of the game?
KP: It’s not a game with set plays, so it can be difficult to teach and learn. It’s very fluid in that you have to play with whatever situation happens and be able to anticipate situations and adjust.
I love team sports like field hockey because you have one ultimate goal of putting the ball in the net, but there are also so many intricacies of the game. It’s fun to see how a team can work together to accomplish the goal.
STV: How does your relationship with Christ impact you on the field?
KP: My coach, Gina Lucido, and I pray in our captains’ meetings, and we meet with our chaplain and pray over the team once a week. We also pray before each game. The field is one of my favorite places to worship. It’s where I glorify the Lord and give Him praise for the ability He’s given me.
STV: How have you grown as an athlete in your four years at Richmond?
KP: Before I got to college, I relied on athletic ability alone to do well in sports. When I got to college I had to really learn more about the game. Through studying film, analyzing the game and studying our game plans, I’ve gained a much better understanding of it.
STV: In that same timeframe, how have you grown in your faith?
KP: My faith has grown exponentially while I’ve been in school. I’ve learned about communicating and being relational—about building relationships with others, especially my teammates. I have a heart for all of the girls, and my passion and goal is to build a great relationship with each of them in the hope that they will eventually wind up competing for Christ.
STV: Has FCA been a part of that growth?
KP: Definitely. Being a part of our FCA leadership team has put me in a position in which I have to stay accountable because I am publicly representing Christ in everything I do.
As athletes, we can get so focused on our sport and make it our source of joy. FCA is great because we can remind each other that our ultimate joy comes from God alone. My body will one day fail, and sports will fade away, but the ultimate goal and glory should be proclaiming the message of Christ.
Originally Published: November 2011
Photos courtesy of Richmond Athletics