What does it take to break the status quo?
Palo Alto High School junior Lara Saslow knows.
As the only female football player on the Viking football team, she defies the stereotypes. According to Saslow, being the only girl in a male-dominated sport introduced a lot of nerves her freshman year.
“I was so nervous for every single day I would suit up for practice,” Saslow said. “I felt that I represented all women and can’t let them down in a sense. Sophomore year was less scary and now I’m fine and I’m not nervous for anything.”
According to Saslow, the first game she played in was against Mountain View her freshman year, but ultimately, when given the chance to kick PAT’s [point after touchdown], she missed all three of them. Saslow said a major support during this game and throughout her seasons as an underclassman was JV coach Jason Fung.
“I was really disappointed, but Coach Fung talked to me and he asked me what happened,” Saslow said. “He said that I was probably just nervous but I’ll get it. I was really bummed that I missed three kicks in one game, but at the same time, I realized how much support I have from my team and coaches because they were all telling me that I’ll get there.”
According to Fung, Saslow’s work ethic and resilient attitude is what sets her apart and allows her to succeed.
“The reason why she’s been great on our team is the kind of example she puts out there,” Fung said. “Everyone makes mistakes, but I tell her and the team that the sooner you get over the failures of sports, the faster you’re going to get better.”
Playing as the only girl on a boys’ tackle football team has its challenges — from practical issues like the girls’ locker room being locked to physical differences between Saslow and her teammates. Despite these challenges, Saslow said she has the motivation to improve and perform at her best.
“There are obviously physical differences between me and my teammates, due to gender, which has brought up challenges in the sport,” Saslow said. “But this is something that I was aware of coming in and was willing to work even harder in order to overcome.”
According to Saslow, her decision to play football was spontaneous.
“I had some guy friends that were gonna go play football from Greene [Middle School],” Saslow said. “It’s partly why I decided to join because I knew other people that were joining.”
Saslow said that she has various aspirations for this upcoming season.
“This season I really want to be the starting kicker for the tackle team and hopefully do some kick-offs as well,” Saslow said. “I’m doing field goals too. I also want to be the starting wide receiver for the flag team.”
In addition to tackle football, Saslow has also taken advantage of the new sport at Paly, the girl’s flag football. However, with both sports taking place in the same season, she is still figuring out how she will manage her time.
“I don’t really know how to balance it all yet,” Saslow said. “I’ve been going to half of each practice and I’m really grateful to both my tackle and flag coaches for being willing to make this work so that I am on both teams; I was a bit of an unusual case.”
According to Saslow, finding a way to pursue her interest in football in the future, specifically flag, is enticing.
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to play as a kicker, but I really like flag and hopefully I’ll be good enough that I can keep going with that,” Saslow said.
Saslow said she also receives support from close friend and junior Sophie Oshige.
“My first practice was a summer practice, not an official practice,” Saslow said. “I remember I was really, really nervous especially because I came late because I had work before. I came to the second half on the field and I was so nervous. I biked over and saw the team walking over to the field and I called my friend to ask what do I do?”
According to Oshige, she plays on a male-dominated hockey team so she’s able to relate to and therefore support her friend.
“I try to remind her to look at the bigger picture,” Oshige said. “There are a lot of little struggles that she’ll go through, but ultimately it will be more fulfilling and fun to see it through despite any setbacks.”
As the third ever female football player at Paly since the school existed, Saslow encourages others to pursue the things they want to do regardless of the status quo.
“Just go for it,” Saslow said. “It’s going to be tough to potentially get through hate, but you just have to go for it.”
