GRYPHON FIELD HOCKEY FINDING SUCCESS DURING A CHALLENGING SEASON

If there’s one word that describes this year’s field hockey team, it’s resilient. They took on a more challenging schedule and they’ve had several key players out with injuries, yet they are finding wins, improving with every game, and heading into the playoffs with momentum.

“It’s been one of those seasons where our record doesn’t show our growth and success,” says Head Coach Jill Dixon, who is in her second year leading the team. “We’ve had a good number of captains with injuries that forced them off the field for a week or two throughout the season, and less experienced players have had to step up and fill those roles.”

The ambitious schedule added more games against bigger Division 1 schools with competitive teams, in addition to its regular Division 2 matchups. The Gryphons approached the season with a growth mindset, eager to take on the challenge knowing that every game is an opportunity to learn, practice, and build mental strength.

“Mindset is just as important as physical fitness in any high school sport,” says Dixon. “Going up against these more challenging teams shows the girls where they can be if they keep practicing. And with the young talent we have this year, it’s only going to make them stronger players—and a stronger team—in years to come.”

The team has been working on resilience since the start of the season by engaging in team building activities like breaking into smaller groups, which they called ‘field hockey families,’ and participating in different competitions that are both mentally and physically challenging.

“When we debrief, we’re examining how these lessons fit into the bigger picture, and how they are building tools they can come back to later in the season when we hit adversity,” says Dixon. “These lessons can also be beneficial in the classroom, especially when their academic load increases.”

This fortitude has been key as the team has had to battle adversity and shifted its focus to developing skills and building team chemistry.

“We’re more connected on the field, executing high-level field hockey tactics that make the game really fun to play and to watch,” says Dixon. “They’re transferring the ball across the field, connecting passes, and playing at a faster pace.”

Dixon is excited to see the team’s dedication to growth manifest on the field in next year’s season—and she encourages more players to join the team.

“It’s one of those sports that you can pick up at any point in your high school career,” she says. “We’re always looking to add players to our welcoming and fun team.”

Field hockey is a passion for Dixon, who has coached at the college and high school level for 15 years. But she also relishes the opportunity to help students become the best versions of themselves off the field. In addition to coaching, she works in Greenhills’ college counseling office as the athletic liaison, helping student-athletes and their families during the recruiting process. She also teaches 8th grade physical education and a 9th grade social-emotional learning course called Fresh, which helps students transition into high school.

On October 15, the Gryphons will face off against their rivals at Cranbrook for the first round of the CHSL playoffs. It’s also Senior Day, which honors the senior players’ accomplishments and contributions over the years. It will be a great moment for the Greenhills community to come out and support the team.