Kat Krtnick feels like a freshman all over again.

Uncertainty. Anxiety. Nervousness. As I entered the gymnasium for my first collegiate preseason practice, I was terrified of all the sprints and conditioning drills, but I was perhaps even more hesitant of all the upperclassmen and all of the unfamiliar faces that surrounded me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the seniors sizing me up to see if I could be a threat to one of their positions. On the sideline, a group of other seasoned veterans gossiped about their summer flings and some of the transfer football players. There I was, standing all alone, nothing in common with anyone, feeling like an outcast and wondering if I would ever fit into this mix. Would these girls like me? Would I make friends? Did I have a chance to earn a spot on this team?

I was sure I would never have to experience the ambiguity and fear of another freshman preseason ever again. But now, in starting my journey as an NCAA intern, some of those feelings have quickly rekindled.

Luckily, the conditioning sessions here at the NCAA do not require any sort of athletic prowess or cardiovascular training, but I have to admit that the tiresome orientation trainings exhaust me just the same. It is no longer my muscles that are sore; it is my brain and my feet. (Never take for granted the days you are able to wear tennis shoes instead of heels. I can attest that the blisters are worse here.)

Unlike the seniors on my volleyball team, who made no effort to get to know me, the public and media relations staff has been incredibly welcoming and helpful to me; yet, my rookie status still instigates the same types of questions. How will I compare to past interns? Will I meet the team???s expectations? How do people perceive me? Am I talented enough to play at this level?

Although I might get to skip out on the post-practice ice baths and the grueling two-a-days of a student-athlete, here, in fact, I am a freshman once again.