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10/19/2018 12:00 AMWestbrook senior Alana Bochanis doesn’t let anything stop her from performing her best on the field hockey turf—whether it’s a fast-moving forward or a medical condition that she’s dealt with throughout her entire life.
Alana plays left defender for the Westbrook field hockey squad. She’s a key member of a stout defensive unit that’s posted nine shutouts and only allowed two goals thus far this season, helping the Knights jump out to a 9-1-1 record.
Alana has been excelling on the field while battling a congenital heart disease that she was born with—a transposition of the great arteries in which the pulmonary and aortic valves and the arteries they’re connected to are swapped over and connected to the wrong pumping chambers. This results in blood that’s low in oxygen being pumped throughout the body.
However, despite undergoing nine surgeries in her lifetime, Alana plays field hockey, indoor track, and softball at Westbrook High School. Alana, who uses a pacemaker, has found the right formula to make sure that she’s always ready to spring into action for the Knights.
“My doctors thought things like running and swimming would be good to exercise my heart, which is a muscle, but I thought those weren’t fun. I had to go through a process of convincing everyone that I would be able to play, but I was able to play,” Alana says. “I have to be aware of how I’m feeling at points of practice or a game. I know my limits and push myself as much as I can. I do all the drills needed, and a big part of that is due to my family and friends supporting me.”
While constantly monitoring her condition, Alana says that she’s actually seen an increase in her stamina throughout the course of her career. She’s also learned how to escape the confines of her mind during the heat of battle.
“My endurance has gone up. I know how to block and play the game on defense,” says Alana. “Mentally, I used to overthink the game, but I’ve overcome those things.”
Speaking to her squad’s accomplishments this fall, Alana says that Westbrook’s defense has really been clicking on the field. Alana enjoys staving off pressure from the opposition’s forwards, while clearing the ball out of harm’s way.
“Our defense is communicating and holding strong,” says Alana. “Playing defense has some fun parts. It’s fun to clear the ball out of the circle, but it’s also stressful. There is a lot of running back and forth involved, but it’s nothing we can’t overcome.”
Now a senior leader, Alana relishes the opportunity to shape the future of Westbrook field hockey by making an impression on the team’s underclass athletes. As the Knights move deeper in their quest to capture conference and state titles, Alana says they are ready to correct any mistakes and face every challenge head-on.
“It’s really important to set expectations for the younger girls, so they know what to do and know what is right and wrong,” Alana says. “Our motto is to ‘Keep it simple.’ Whatever we mess up, we have to address it. Team bonding is also important. It makes us a family.”
Head Coach Janet Dickey praises Alana for the positive attitude that she brings to the Knights, as well as her skills as a member of Westbrook’s defensive corps.
“Alana is an amazing young lady. She brings energy and positivity to the field every day. She plays on a defense line that has kept shots to a minimum this season,” Dickey says. “Alana is very vocal, encouraging, and helps her teammates, either from the sideline or in the backfield.”
It means a lot to Alana that she’s overcome her condition to make an impact at Westbrook. She feels that the experience has strengthened her character and helped her mature as a young adult.
“My condition can’t hold me back,” Alana says. “It only makes me grow as a person.”