The people brought into your life, that's fate. The people who push you for greatness, that's destiny. I was introduced to rugby by a basketball mentor from high school. She told me rugby would make me stronger physically and mentally, which could improve my basketball game. During the time, I aimed for a colligate full-ride basketball scholarship to help my parents financially. What I didn't realize was that my first high school rugby practice would change the course of my athletic journey entirely. The game quickly felt natural and gave me a unique joy no other sport had. Throughout high school, I continued playing rugby alongside other sports like cross country and basketball. When college acceptance season arrived, I didn't receive the recruitment offers I had hoped for, ones that included both scholarship money and my preferred academic program. I was torn between Clemson University and Virginia Tech, both offering strong animal and veterinary science programs. One evening, I came across a post from Clemson Women's Club Rugby page on Instagram. The photo showed the team celebrating a tournament win, and each player had pure joy and pride in what they accomplished together. Each player differed in shape and size, yet they all contributed to that win. After that I knew Clemson was where I needed to be. At the club fair during my first year, I felt a rush of emotions: nervousness, determination, joy, and pride. I found the rugby table and was greeted with enthusiasm. The team's motto is that everyone is welcome, regardless of prior experience. Most players came from other sports like soccer, track, or basketball, but on the field they played like pros. The captains and coaches emphasized the balance between school and sport, a principle that continues today. Seeing older players juggle demanding majors similar to mine, they quickly became mentors who supported me both on and off the field. Academics have always been a top priority for me, and having to drop a challenging class deeply impacted my spirit. That moment sent me into a dark place, but the only thing that pulled me out was my team. On April 29, 2023, Clemson University defeated Baylor 10-5 to become CRC 7s Division I National Champions. After the awards ceremony, I cried in my captain's arms for fifteen minutes. When she asked why, I said, "Because this team saved my life." Clemson is eight hours from my home in Maryland, but this team became my family. They are people I can rely on, no matter where life takes us. Their wisdom, encouragement, and loyalty are gifts I'll always carry, with a national championship plaque to seal the memory. As I enter my senior year, this marks my fourth year playing on this team. Off the field, I currently serve as the team's treasurer on our executive board. While it is bittersweet that it is my last year playing on this team, I think about the first-year students and future rookies who do and will look up to me in those moments of need, and I will always be there to get them through it. I never told any of my teammates or coach why I was overwhelmed with extreme gratitude that I wept so long on that championship day, but in the end, I don't think it mattered because that win meant profound to each of them just as much as it did for me. It was more than just a title, it was proof of resilience, belonging, and a journey I had never expected, but now I can't imagine my life without it.