WSOC: STOPPAGE TIME

In My Words // Sam Kokoska

By Washington Huskies

September 19^th, 2018

Hello Dawg family, friends, and fans! My name is Samantha Kokoska but everyone here calls me Sam, Sam-O, Koko or Kokes. I'm entering my senior year at UW, which I feel really bittersweet about (mostly bitter). If I could have it my way, I would be a student-athlete here forever, but I doubt I’d be able to handle all of the “Sam’s so old that ____ ” jokes the same way Amanda Perez did.

So, I’m graduating after this year. And at this point in time, I’m reflecting on the personal growth I’ve experienced here and soaking up every moment during my final season as a Husky.

Jessica Udovich, a teammate and friend of mine, recently tore her ACL for the third time. After encountering the most difficult circumstances, Jess continues to embody resilience and strength (both in and out of the weight room). At a recent practice, Lesle encouraged the team to “follow Jessica’s lead,” as she faces her surgery and rehabilitation process. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past three years and after I tore my ACL this spring. I’ve been following the lead of incredible teammates, including Jess, who I was honored to share the field with.

I’ve been teammates with some of the most passionate, hardworking, and sincere individuals. After observing some of the examples set by Huskies before me, I took my head out of my textbooks (slightly) and asked myself how I could be a better leader in the classroom, on the team and in my community. By stepping outside of my comfort zone, I discovered my passion for teaching, environmental conservation, and, recently, spikeball. I also confirmed my calling to serve others by pursuing a career in medicine. This is all thanks to the program that is UW women’s soccer: a program that is focused on developing us as people, not just athletes.

This spring, we had the opportunity to travel to Japan as a team. The trip offered plenty of learning experiences and historical perspective. Arigato. Every season, we read a book as a team, discuss what we learned, and apply it to our lives. I will carry on this mindset of continual betterment for the rest of my life.

I feel that I grew to be an individual who found identity in more than how I performed on the soccer field. Not that my soccer performance did not matter to me. I assure you, it did: just ask my teammates. I loved to compete and spent significant time critiquing and developing my own play. But as a teammate reminded us this week, it is helpful to focus on finding identity in who you are, not what you do.

Who I am is a Husky. Being a Husky means embodying our four values of humility, growth mindset, service to community, and grit. Although this soccer season will end at some point (hopefully never), I know I will carry on these Husky values forever.