When rival lacrosse players Madison and Lauren are forced to play on the same team in an unprecedented summer tournament with major college prospects, the two must learn how to deal with their differences, confront personal conflicts, and come together as a stronger unit with their teammates to find success on the field.
That’s the premise of a new six-episode AwesomenessTV scripted series called “Versus” that premiered on Verizon’s go90 platform on Nov. 22. It highlights the challenges teen female athletes face on and off the field, such as commitments to home or family life and a desire to fit in with peers in social settings, and the important life lessons girls learn through participation in sports that can help them succeed later in life.
The cast includes Camille Hyde (“American Vandal”) as Madison, a naturally gifted athlete stuck in the shadows of her parents, and Maddie McCormick (“Camera Store”) as Lauren, who isn’t a naturally gifted athlete but makes up for it with grit and sheer competitiveness. Brandon Larracuente (“13 Reasons Why”) as Dominic, Peyton Meyer (“Girl Meets World”) as Ethan, Moe Irvin (“Grey's Anatomy”) as Kevin, and Anjelika Washington (“Shameless”) as Kalin help round out the cast.
McCormick said the women prepared and practiced together for about two weeks before the five-week shoot, building a real-life team atmosphere. While she hadn’t picked up a lacrosse stick before, she was coached by a veteran collegiate player and had the support of her more experienced teammates, like Hyde.
“It really was like being on a team,” McCormick told GOOD. “I've been very lucky that I left with some really amazing friendships. I think it was surprising to me, at least as someone who hadn't played sports, how picking up something like this could be so rewarding. It was more rewarding than I ever thought it would be.”
The series is being produced in partnership with Gatorade and launched in tandem with the company’s new campaign, “Sisters in Sweat,” featuring tennis star and new mom Serena Williams, which aims to shed light on the growing problem of girls dropping out of sports. In the moving clip shared on social media earlier this week, Williams is talking to a baby and also to all girls around the world, encouraging them to stay in the game and celebrate the lessons learned beyond sports.
“Sports will teach you the strength of your allies, whether your bond is by blood or by ball,” Williams says in the ad. “Whether she shares the color of your skin or the color of your jersey. You'll find your sisters in sweat.”
According to the company’s recent “Girls in Sports” study, girls by age 14 are dropping out of sports at 1.5 times the rate that boys do. And by age 17, more than half of girls will quit playing sports altogether, missing out on numerous long-term benefits, including future leadership opportunities at school and at work.
For McCormick, she hopes “Versus” will be a chance to change that.
“I hope that girls take away a strong message that women are often dealing with things on and off the field, but we're learning how to navigate our personal lives through the challenges faced on the field,” she said.
And she also believes in the message of Williams’ campaign, especially because she’s seen the results of female strength and leadership firsthand on this project. “It's very rare to have so many females working on one project,” McCormick says, “and it's just so empowering. It was really cool to be in a room filled with all female leads, female producers, and female representatives from Gatorade. I think it goes to show that the industry is changing.”
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.