Name: Dariyan DeWeese
State: New York
High School: C.W. Baker High School
College: Roberts Wesleyan University

“I’m never playing field hockey again.” 

This is what I said to my mom the second I got off the field in fourth grade after a “trying out field hockey” camp put on by my school.

I endlessly complained about knee and back pain and swore I would never touch a stick again. If you told younger me that I would be playing field hockey in college, she would laugh at you and say how much she hates the sport. 

Thankfully, this isn't where my field hockey story ends, actually it's just where it begins. 

I was the kid growing up that played every sport, never taking a break. I can remember times when adults would ask me what my plan was for that night, knowing that it was inevitable that I would be at a game or practice. 

It wasn't until eighth grade when I gave field hockey another try on the modified team, and it wasn't until ninth grade that I fell in love with this sport and knew I wanted to play it for as long as I could. 

I knew that if I wanted to play field hockey at the next level, I not only needed to mature as a player, but as a person as well. As our Athletic Director always says, “you're a STUDENT-athlete, there's a reason the student part comes first.”

Having discipline on and off the field is the key to progress, always seeking to be better and better has to start with setting goals and taking the steps needed to achieve them. 

When training, you can't work on every aspect of the game of field hockey at once, so you have to compartmentalize your time and focus on smaller details first. 

I translate this thinking into the classroom when I have to study for a test. I wouldn't just start reading the textbook, I would break the lessons into chapters and take notes accordingly. 

In February of last year, I committed to play field hockey and major in exercise science at Roberts Wesleyan University, a small Division 2, private Christian school, in Rochester New York. 

Growing up in Syracuse, I've always loved Upstate New York and knew I didn't want to stray far from home when choosing a college. Going to a high school with 450 students per grade, I wanted a smaller school where I could know everyone and have a better relationship with my professors than if I went to a bigger school. 

Also (and the most exciting part) the field hockey!

After my first conversation with Coach Marissa Kocher I understood why the girls on the team raved about the program. She not only is one of the nicest people I have ever met, but one of the most driven and passionate about the game of field hockey. 

With Roberts field hockey only having two seasons under their belt and being a new program, there was no question that I found the place where I felt like I belonged and could make an impact.  

Candidate: Dariyan DeWeese

State: New York

High School: C.W. Baker High School (Baldwinsville)

College: Roberts Wesleyan University

This post was written by Dariyan DeWeese. She is participating in the 2025 Dr. Judith Benscoter Female Athlete Scholarship contest. You may also vote for her video on our Instagram account @female_athlete_news

The scholarship winner will be determined by most votes (likes) on their Instagram video and the most votes cast on the candidate’s essay writing.

Voting runs from March 13-16. Winners will be announced March 17.