Salida, Colo. — Laura Barton, 61, a Salida woman with a field hockey career spanning more than half a century, is preparing to try out in March for a spot on the U.S. Masters 60+ field hockey team. .
If successful, it will be Barton's second time as a starter on a Masters team. She was selected for the over-55 team for the first time in 2022 and traveled to South Africa to compete in the Cape Town World Masters Hockey World Cup.
“When I joined the U.S. Masters team…my life changed,” Burton said. “Yeah, I've been playing all my life, but this changed the way I looked at everything.”
Burton first picked up a field hockey stick in sixth grade. As a girl growing up in Ewing, New Jersey, she had limited options when it came to sports.
“When I was in sixth grade, there wasn't really anything for girls to play. I mean, it wasn't field hockey or anything,” Barton said.
Field hockey quickly became Burton's favorite sport and remains so over 50 years later.
Photo: Chase McCreary, Rocky Mountain PBS
Burton played four years of Division III field hockey at Moravian College in Pennsylvania, then went on to play for various adult teams along the East Coast, including Philadelphia and Delaware.
Salida's beautiful scenery and outdoor lifestyle drew Burton and her husband west, and while the mountain trails enriched her athletic lifestyle, she realized there was a distinct lack of field hockey not only in Salida but throughout the state of Colorado. I noticed that.
“People have said, 'Wow, you play field hockey?' What is field hockey?” Burton said. '?' I asked.
Although many high schools in Colorado have competitive field hockey teams, currently no college or university in Colorado has a men's or women's field hockey program (other than intramural and club teams).
Burton took a brief hiatus from field hockey in an attempt to find other playing opportunities, during which time he developed a love for hiking and mountain biking. She also rediscovered her old passion of oil painting.
Burton is currently finishing up his latest work, which depicts a life-sized vulture in flight.
Photo: Chase McCreary, Rocky Mountain PBS
Burton graduated from Moravian College with a degree in fine arts. She primarily paints in “plein air” (painting outdoors rather than in a studio), which she said has strengthened her connection to nature and the natural world.
Her rapidly growing home gallery features many animal-themed pieces, including mountain goats, crows, and eagles. The animals' bold profiles, rendered in her powerful brush strokes, reflect Burton's thinking and her presence in the field.
This “short hiatus” ended up lasting about 12 years. Barton continued to play casually on his own or with partner Chris Berry (a former rugby player), but never took part in any organized matches or casual training.
But an email from a former teammate informing him of a U.S. Masters tryout drew Burton back into the world of competitive field hockey.
U.S. Masters Field Hockey includes a number of competitive men's and women's field hockey teams for players age 35 and older. The age groups start from 35 years and older (O-35) and increase in steps of 5 (O-40, O-45…) up to O-70 for women and O-80 for men.
Endorsed by USA Field Hockey, Masters teams compete in tournaments around the world. In 2024, an indoor tournament will be held in Nottingham, England, and an outdoor tournament in Cape Town, South Africa, and Auckland, New Zealand.
Barton wears a hoodie from the 2022 World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
Photo: Chase McCreary, Rocky Mountain PBS
Burton had known about the U.S. Masters team for some time, but had never considered attending tryouts, which are usually held somewhere along the East Coast.
When Burton first learned that the 2022 U.S. Masters tryouts would be held in Wilmington, Delaware, he dismissed it as another missed opportunity.
But when her mother-in-law, who is based in Pennsylvania, unexpectedly became ill, Burton found an opportunity to attend training while caring for her family.
She battled through a frigid February weekend filled with challenging training and intense tests of skill, some of which left Burton depressed and skeptical about her potential.
Burton found himself competing alongside old teammates from his early days playing in Philadelphia and Delaware, as well as an old rival. These reunions made the tryouts worthwhile, regardless of the outcome, she said.
“At that point, I really didn't care if I made the team or not, because I was meeting all these different people that I hadn't seen in years,” Burton said. “It was the best.”
Barton left the tryout with a smile on his face and was named a starter.
Her US Masters O-60 trained monthly throughout the summer in preparation for the 2022 Cape Town World Masters Hockey World Cup in South Africa. Over time, she formed new friendships with her teammates and developed a new love for her sport.
The team finished 7th out of 11 teams, resulting in Barton withdrawing due to concerns about his new team.
“I think we're getting stronger and stronger as we continue to play together,” Barton said.
In between World Cups, the O-60 group functions as a club team. They played in Italy last summer and continue to train together as much as possible, both in-person and virtually.
Linda Kreiser, captain of the O-65 team, hosts bi-monthly Zoom trainings for those looking to stay connected and sharp.
Players come from Florida to California to Maine to New York to do field hockey-specific aerobics, stretching, and even stick work at home.
“It can be kind of funny to see people dribbling in their living rooms,” Barton says.
Barton follows a strict training regimen during the season and offseason.
Photo: Chase McCreary, Rocky Mountain PBS
Since then, Barton has been connected to Saturday AM, a field hockey club based outside of Philadelphia, and plays with the team whenever possible.
Looking back on 50 years of field hockey, Barton said he feels the sport is still the same.
“I can't believe I'm 61 years old. I mean, how did I get here?” she said. “I still think of myself as 40 years old.”
Burton believes her time on the Masters team kept her young. With her upcoming tryouts and the support of her teammates, she will be responsible for maintaining her health and staying active.
“I think, 'Okay, I've got to work hard today or maybe I shouldn't eat cake,'” Barton said.
She sometimes worries that her work will be interrupted by an accident, which can range from a mountain bike accident to a simple injury on a road curb. But until then, she plans to play for as long as possible.
To those who question her age and ability, Burton says check the roster.
“They're like, 'Wow, I can't believe you did it!'” Barton said. “They are inspired.”
And for those who are questioning their ability to continue playing the sport they love, Burton's advice is simple.
“Just do it. It will make you a better person and you'll be excited about the challenge!”
Laura Barton (left) and her husband Chris Berry (right) train together at Salida High School.
Photo: Chase McCreary, Rocky Mountain PBS
Chase McCleary is a multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. chasemccleary@rmpbs.org
