The Diamondback: Welsh's Work Drives Success
10/11/2000 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 11, 2000
by Ryan Sakamoto
The Diamondback
Determination and tenacity are two words that best describe Terrapin field hockey player Autumn Welsh. Despite her small stature, she has turned herself into one of the top defensive players in the NCAA through hard work.
"Even with her diminutive size, she always played with a lot of heart and a lot of speed," said Sue Butz, Welsh's coach at Emmaus High School in Allentown, Pa. "I always described her as a pesky gnat."
Things were not always so promising for Welsh's college career though.
"In terms of recruiting, people looked at Autumn to be slight and light on the ball," Terps' coach Missy Meharg said. "But we just saw her as a special player coming out of high school."
Part of the reason the Terps wanted Welsh, though, was the internal drive that had made her one of the best high school players in the country.
"Miss Butz taught me a lot about my work ethic, she taught me things don't come easy, you really have to put a lot of heart and effort into them," Welsh said.
The same work ethic that helped Welsh win two Pennsylvania state field hockey championships at Emmaus came with her to College Park.
"She committed to working hard right off the bat," strength and conditioning coach Barry Kagan said. "She didn't pick and choose what days she worked hard."
Kagan's workout program helped Welsh improve her game.
"Autumn hasn't done much more than anyone else, but she has seen more results than other players," Kagan said. "Her body adapted to the kind of training we do. She has definitely become more explosive and more agile and just from my layman's approach to the game she has become more aggressive."
Playing with one of the best groups of players in Terrapin history has also helped Welsh develop.
"She really reads the play well defensively and she communicates very well," Meharg said.
Welsh believes Meharg has helped her most in the tactical development of her game.
"I believe I learned [better defensive and communications skills] here," Welsh said. "Here, I've gotten used to being the last line of defense and seeing the field with everyone in front of me."
While Welsh isn't a flashy player or among the team's leading scorers, her style of play has been noticed by opposing coaches.
"Autumn is such a smart player back there," Duke coach Liz Tchou said after their 4-0 loss to the Terps on Sunday. "She is just so disciplined."
Meharg is quick to point out Welsh's strengths as a field hockey player.
"They all have their individual flair," Meharg said. "Autumn has an uncanny sense of the field and her interception skills are fantastic."
Her offseason experiences have also helped Welsh become one of the best tactical players in the NCAA.
"I've learned a lot just playing for the under-21 team," Welsh said.
A junior, Welsh hopes to stay involved in field hockey on the national team level and then later as a coach once she leaves college.
"I want to get more involved with the U.S. field hockey team," Welsh said. "I want to pursue my goal of becoming a high school math teacher and maybe coach field hockey, too."
Welsh's love for the game shows in the way she plays. But her positive youth experiences in field hockey and soccer, as well as her mother's support, has been what has pushed her to succeed in field hockey.
"My Mom has been my biggest influence, because she's always taught me to just enjoy being out there and encouraging me on the sidelines," Welsh said. "That made it more fun."
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