Trying different sports has helped freshman Sofie Nelson learn what she enjoys most and what kind of athlete she wants to be.
“I just like getting outside,” Nelson said. “It’s a fun way to move and feel good.”
Nelson’s involvement in sports began when she was about five years old in gymnastics. She said she joined because many of the girls in her grade were participating and her parents encouraged her to try it.
“I remember all the other girls in my grade were doing it, and I was like, ‘Okay, let’s do that. It looks fun,” Nelson said. “My parents wanted me to be really girly at that time, so they put me in gymnastics.”
Although she was excited at first, Nelson said gymnastics quickly became a negative experience. She struggled with the sport and felt discouraged by the reaction of others.
“I sucked. I did not do well at gymnastics, and everyone made fun of me, and that’s why I left,” she said.
After quitting gymnastics, Nelson did not stop participating in sports. Instead, she continued trying new activities and eventually found skiing, which became the sport she stayed with the longest.
“I was born into a skiing family,” Nelson said. “Both my parents were really good at skiing, and they enjoyed it, so I kind of had to love it. And now I actually really enjoy it.”
Skiing became meaningful to Nelson not only because other families influence but also because of the environment and experience of being in the mountains.
“When you hit the top of the mountains, it’s so pretty, and the views are just beautiful,” she said. “It’s a fun way to get outside and get moving.”
Nelson later tried soccer when she was around eight years old. While she enjoyed the sport at first, she eventually realized it was not the right fit for her.
“My parents realized I loved to run around, and they were like, ‘Let’s stick her in soccer and see how she does,’” Nelson said. “But I realized I didn’t like being in that sport because everything just seemed messy and not me.”
This experience helped Nelson understand that she preferred sports that gave her more independence. In 8th grade, she joined cross country and found it matched her personality better.
“I love how it’s an individual sport but a team sport at the same time,” Nelson said. “It’s kind of like all this stress goes away. You don’t even have to worry about anything, You just go when the coach says run.”
For Nelson, cross country became a way to manage stress and focus on herself rather than competition.
“It’s like a release,” Nelson said. “You just run, and everything else disappears.”
Nelson also joined volleyball in sixth grade because many of her friends were participating.
“I loved volleyball, It’s still my favorite sport,” Nelson said. “I think it’s just super fun.”
Along the way, not every sports experience was positive. Nelson said basketball was difficult because of a tough coach, which made her lose interest in the sport. Track also brought challenges because of the heat, even though she enjoyed the running.
Through gymnastics, skiing, soccer, cross country, volleyball, basketball, and track, Nelson learned what matters most to her in sports. She discovered that she enjoys activities that allow independence, reduce stress, and provide a supportive environment.
Rather than focusing on winning, Nelson said sports have helped her grow as a person.
Nelson’s story shows that it is okay to try different activities, quit what does not feel right, and continue searching for what does. In the end, her journey is not only about sports, but about learning who she is and what makes her happy.
