The Lancer Way: Kira O'Donell
Andrew Shortall, Director of Athletics Communications
5/14/2020
The Lancer Way is a new platform provided by California Baptist University's Athletic Department that allows student-athletes to share their stories. All of the words are their own.
Written By: Kira O'Donell, Women's Water Polo, Jr., Pasadena, Calif.
I have been through just a handful of particularly memorable days in my lifetime, and March 12, 2020, has now been etched into that short but indelible list.
The team and I had just finished our morning shootaround at Santa Clara University's pool. We had started off the season with a phenomenal record, so we were praying that our seven-game winning streak would improve in our first conference game at Santa Clara. Personally, I had been mentally preparing for one of my favorite games of the season, as my best friend plays for their team.
"I had heard of the coronavirus; it was a virus that was just reaching the United States, whose consequences had been horrendous in many other countries.
Although, the thought of coronavirus affecting me and my lifestyle as a student-athlete in contemporary Southern California?
Ludicrous."
However, just hours before the game, we received a call from Coach Miller for an urgent meeting in the hotel lobby that would change my perspective forever. He informed us that our game against Santa Clara would have to be postponed, possibly canceled altogether.
Eight hours later, I would find myself in a room filled with crying teammates, like sisters, as we said thank you and goodbye to our seniors – just in case, due to the coronavirus.
Not 1??, not 2??, not 3??, but 4????
— CBU Lancers (@CBULancers) April 2, 2020
Kira O'Donell and her four-goal haul for @LancersWWP on Feb. 7th, 2020, is the focus of the next installment of the Lancers Classic Moments series.#LanceUp?? pic.twitter.com/n9tUT3PPew
March 12, 2020, was just the start of weeks that turned into months that I would hear of events being canceled, locations being closed, lifestyles being suspended, due to the coronavirus.
While I began to internalize that my life as a water polo player may look a little different, I learned that school would also transition to an online format. So, for the past two months, I have been working to figure out what in the heck it means to be an at-home, Division 1, student-athlete.
I do not have coaches telling me to get up at dawn for practice, or teammates dying with me during leg drills, nor a 2020 conference championship to work towards anymore.
I have always held the mindset that all of my opponents were working just as hard as me every second of practice, and so if I did not give it my all, then they would win that small battle. But I do not know if they are still practicing today, giving it their all like I swore they did.
We do not know what season will look like next year, let alone our preseason activities and practices during fall. How do I stay motivated on a daily basis if there is no feasible goal or competitors to strive toward?
My routine and psyche that I had become so confident in as an athlete has been forced to change. Nevertheless, change is not always bad; a lesson I would only begin to learn now.
During these 55 days, I have slowly developed a "new normal."
This entails me spending time with family, diving into the Bible, focusing on online schoolwork, and yes, daily workouts – or as Strength and Conditioning Coach Michael Robinson says, improving by "1%, Every. Dang. Day."
"Why would I want to improve every day? Because my new competitor was myself yesterday, and I am going to win. Furthermore, I have been called to do everything for the glory of God as a child of Christ. I believe that translates into all aspects of my life, including athletics."
These days, as I work to build my core, arms, and legs, I am simultaneously building my legacy. I am demonstrating to myself how I can work at every other aspect in my life, despite the circumstances.
That being said, it is HARD. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to play a team sport – I need others to help me reach my full potential. We are forced to be uncomfortable as student-athletes in these crazy times. However, I would argue that that is where we have the opportunity to grow the most.
Due to the coronavirus, I will never take for granted missed shots and painful practices followed by the overwhelming encouragement of teammates. Moreover – due to the coronavirus, I have learned that I am still capable of working towards my best self every single day.
