Edie Statham wasn’t sure what to expect when she first joined the Palmer Ridge field hockey team as a freshman. After all, she had played just one season of field hockey in eighth grade before joining the high school team. Statham wasn’t sure if the team would play well or even quite sure of her own abilities in the sport.

Two championship appearances, four semifinals and four years later, Statham, The Gazette Field Hockey Peak Performer of the Year, can look back on her high school career with pride.

“It turned out better than I could have asked for,” Statham said.

This year was no different for Statham.

While the team didn’t win the state title that they were hoping for, Statham had another productive season.

“It went by really fast. I had a lot of fun,” Statham said.

“Our team was awesome this year. It was very emotional at the end knowing it was my last year playing in high school, but I think it was one of my best years of field hockey.”

Statham finished with seven goals, four assists and 94 steals to help lead the Bears to their fifth semifinals appearance in five seasons, where the Bears fell to Colorado Academy, which went on to win its fourth straight state title.

Colorado Academy was the one team that Statham and her teammates could never quite overcome in her four seasons.

Colorado Academy has ended the Bears’ season each of the last five years and has gotten the best of Palmer Ridge in the regular season during those years, too.

While the loss was disappointing for Statham and her teammates, it didn’t define the season or her high school career.

“I think our team played really well together and I think everyone on our team gave it our all, so it was just a disappointing end but I was still satisfied with our team and how we played,” Statham said.

Statham’s appreciation of the game has continued to grow.

She credits the game with improving her communication and leadership abilities, and has enjoyed the challenge of competing in a sport that isn’t the most popular, but one that she continues to see girls gain an interest in.

“It’s difficult sometimes to get people to come to the games because a lot of people don’t know what’s going on, but I like the unique aspect of it,” Statham said. “It’s something that not a lot of people can say they’ve played before.”

Palmer Ridge coach Paul Lewis has coached Statham for four seasons and has seen how much she has grown as a person and a player.

“She’s a workhorse and a leader on the field, (and) a brilliant student,” Lewis said.

“She’s got all of those combinations of things that the younger athletes can look up to and set a really good example for them, and she helps keep the games close.

Every game that we’ve played in she’s a big part of the outcome.”

Statham has been more of a quiet leader, according to Lewis, but this year she stepped into more of a vocal role, something Lewis was happy to see.

While her plans for college aren’t set yet, Statham plans to continue to play the sport that she has grown to love, hopefully with as much success as she’s enjoyed in high school.

“I’m really satisfied for how my high school career was,” Statham said.

“It is sad looking back on it and knowing that I’m leaving this journey that I’ve had for four years, but I’m looking forward to the future.”