Turning challenges into empowerment: Gloucester鈥檚 Kailee Morris
GLOUCESTER, Va. — College sophomore and Gloucester High School (GHS) Class of 2022 graduate Kailee Morris has battled challenges that some athletes might have considered career-ending. Yet for Kailee, these obstacles she has overcome have ultimately only further driven her determination to live the dreams she had as a little girl.
After spending many years playing for local club teams and even serving as both a JV and Varsity captain for the GHS Dukes field hockey team, Kailee could not wait to experience playing for a college team, something she had envisioned for as long as she could remember. Her acceptance to attend and be a collegiate level player for Converse University (CU) in Spartanburg, South Carolina brought such excitement for Kailee and her family. Then with a fluke injury sustained during a routine inter-squad scrimmage, her first season came to a crashing halt right as it started.
Taking the high road and letting go of her frustration about the situation was not easy by any means, but Kailee pushed through the physical and emotional pain and learned the value of her support network in the process. She shares, 鈥淲hen I got hurt my freshman year of college I was crushed. My right clavicle was broken by my teammate in an inter-squad scrimmage, and I harbored a lot of intense emotions after that. I was angry at myself for not doing better and my teammate for the bad hit that resulted in the break, but I came to terms with letting it go and realizing why I was angry. I had to learn to rely on people to do basic things for me and the experience was beyond humbling. My support system never faltered in those tough days. My teammates and family never let me forget that I was capable and I was doing the absolute best I could in that moment.鈥�
Physically overcoming the injury was just the start of getting back on track as a player. Kailee often felt as if she would always be stuck working to gain back her strength and skill set that had previously been so natural for her. 鈥淥nce I was cleared to return to play, it didn’t mean I could just jump back right where I was, I failed a lot. I felt lost because I couldn鈥檛 hit or pass the way I always had, my bone had healed but it was different than before. I lost strength in my right arm because it had been immobilized and I couldn鈥檛 strain it until I was cleared. The lost strength made me start from square one, I started back from a new low I had never been at before,鈥� Kailee says.
In those months as she recovered, Kailee often had to lean on the advice and encouragement she was given by those there to support her. She says, 鈥淚 was told once: you are not going to be physically 100% and at the peak of your game every single day, you are going to hurt and there will be off days, but you can give 100% of whatever it is you have left. I often have to remind myself of this because I hold myself to a very high standard, every athlete does, and I get down on myself when I am not performing how I want. Knowing that I know how to work hard is what grounds me in the hard moments. I work to control the controllables like stick skill or my passing. Doing this allows me to make the most of every training session, team practice, and game.鈥�
Even without factoring in an injury, Kailee has experienced what so many athletes go through鈥� the mental struggle of the game. Kailee鈥檚 sense of admirable maturity has helped her prioritize being aware of how a mistake can present a chance to grow rather than remaining bogged down in her own mind ruminating on what went wrong. 鈥淎 mistake I make often is allowing my thoughts to take me out of the game. It is the little stuff that makes me feel like I am letting my team down all and it is usually because I missed a tackle or screwed up a hit. I get in my head and play more reserved, losing that attack mindset, but field hockey is a game of mistakes. Everyone will make a mistake at some point and the play will break down. These breakdowns are opportunities, and that could mean a breakaway for the other team or a chance to recover and work to win the ball back. Learning to recognize the errors I make as chances to grow keeps my head in the play,鈥� explains Kailee.
That pivotal focus on growing from mistakes has been a constant theme in the advice her mentors have shared with her. She says, 鈥淚 have had many coaches, all whom I have a great deal of respect for, and what sticks with me the most is the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. My coaches over the years have emphasized that setbacks and failures are not indicators of inadequacy, but rather opportunities for growth. They encouraged me to view obstacles as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks, reminding me that success often comes from overcoming adversity with determination and resilience. This lesson in resilience has not only helped me overcome personal and professional challenges but has also shaped my outlook on life, empowering me to face obstacles with confidence and determination.鈥�
Her coaches and teammates tend to turn to Kailee to help spread that mindset of remaining at peace and moving forward. Kailee鈥檚 teammates at CU even fondly referred to her as the 鈥榗hillmaster鈥� because she was always able to bring a sense of calm to a play. Her strength balances with the strengths of her teammates and with that comes the lifelong lesson of the positive impact of teamwork. 鈥淭he people make the sport and I am so glad to have the privilege to know them. Being a member of a team has taught me that collaboration is much more than just working together鈥攊t’s about fostering an environment where individuals come together, leveraging their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve shared goals. Communication plays a pivotal role in collaboration. Clear and transparent communication ensures that everyone is on the same page, understands expectations, and can freely exchange ideas and feedback,鈥� says Kailee.
This coming fall Kailee is looking forward to playing her first season with a new team. She recently transferred to be closer to home and will be playing as a University of Mary Washington Eagle. With this upcoming new experience, Kailee is continuing to strive towards success. She shares, 鈥淢y goal for the future is to do the best I can, for as long as I can. I want to be able to look back and be proud of the work I put in and leave no question of if I could have done more. I feel as though I am living what was my dream, as a young girl getting into the sport I always looked up to the college players and wanted a piece of that. So, I intend to make that younger version of myself proud.鈥�
Kailee hopes that her story of perseverance and determination when faced with adversity is one that can inspire others to keep a positive attitude and outlook. She says, 鈥淎n athlete will play for different coaches, on different teams, with different players, and in different places. One thing that will always be consistent is you and your attitude. Learn to trust yourself and it will translate into building a strong foundation to lean on when faced with these changes and challenges.鈥�
Words of Wisdom from the Athlete
鈥淲hat matters in athletics and in life is what you do when no one is watching. When the coach isn鈥檛 there to hold you accountable, when the fans aren鈥檛 there to cheer you on, when your teammates aren鈥檛 there to push you, and you’re alone and it’s quiet, those are the moments that define you. Every solo run, every lift on your own, every drill in your backyard, make a difference. However, no one else has the power to make you do it, but you. I was told once, 鈥渙n the days you don’t want to, are the days you have to.鈥� I found my 鈥渨hy鈥� in those moments. I do it to make myself strong, to better contribute to my team, to make my family proud, and to continue the dream of the little girl who had the courage to try.鈥� -Kailee Morris, GHS Class of 鈥�22 Graduate
Reflections from Family and Coaches
鈥淜ailee has never had anything handed to her and has always had to work for it. She has had a lot of ups and downs, one of the greatest downs being having her collar bone broken her freshman year of college at Converse University (CU) in South Carolina. It was especially hard as a parent being so far away and I couldn鈥檛 fix it for her. I knew she was strong but seeing her work through that just shows the mental toughness of her, all the while going to each practice to support the team and maintaining her grades despite her own struggles. She even made the Dean’s list while all this was going on. She definitely came out stronger, I consider this a major life lesson and she definitely didn鈥檛 let that set her back!
After her second season with CU she decided to come closer to home to finish out her degree and was excited to get an offer to continue her defensive play at the University of Mary Washington (UMW)! I can鈥檛 wait to see what these last two years and beyond will hold for our Kailee! Her sacrifice, work ethic, drive, determination, & leadership speak volumes! She is very passionate about this sport and wants to inspire younger kids to continue to push themselves and remind them that sometimes you just have to make things happen; every defeat should just fuel you to do better next time. I think her story can give anyone facing obstacles that motivation to keep fighting to reach your goals!鈥� -Angela Morris, Kailee鈥檚 Mom
鈥淚 have had the pleasure of knowing Kailee for more than the past eight years. I have watched her grow from a little girl playing a sport she loves into a tremendous leader on and off the field. Kailee is by far one of the most respectful young ladies that I have been around. Her ability to make those around her better is a tribute to her true character. She is a player who was selected to be a captain of her JV team and her varsity team. She has an amazing ability to stay positive, even while fighting through adversity. She stays committed to the bigger picture and no stage is too big for her.
I have seen her grow into a young woman with a very bright future. She continues to balance her schedule with academics, sports and her personal interests with a very high rate of efficiency. Kailee is the type of person that leaves a mark on you personally. She shines with a big smile and outlook on life that rubs off on people she is around. She picks people up when they are down. Kailee works extremely hard in all that she does. Her 100% is so much more. With her on my teams, I never had to worry about what I was getting from her. She stays true to the course and knows how to sustain her level of commitment. She never disappointed me with her effort. Kailee never gives up on a dream. The sky is the limit for Kailee!鈥� -Joe Dougherty, Gloucester High School and Peninsula Field Hockey Club Coach
“Kailee is incredibly determined! Once she sets her mind to something, she will remain focused and work tirelessly to achieve her goal. Her maturity and kindness make her a great teammate, as well as someone her teammates look up to. Kailee will continue to be successful in her collegiate career and beyond.” -Carrie Moura, Stick Power Club Owner and CNU Field Hockey Coach
鈥淭he greatest attribute of Kailee, and there are many, is the fact that she鈥檚 an amazing person– that even shined through in a weight room filled with 30 people. She is also a doer. She refused to be average and she possesses what I like to call 鈥渢hat dog in her blood鈥�, meaning she鈥檚 relentless in pursuit of accomplishing tasks. Her resiliency is amazing. She made an unbelievable quick comeback from her broken collarbone by continuing to train and working with me to plan a program that worked around her collarbone so it could still heal while she worked to stay in shape.鈥� 鈥斺�淐oach D鈥� Kevin Darlington, Director of Strength and Conditioning, Converse University
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