Sydney McKenna '17 Recruiting Profile

My biggest motivations in life are not only my family, faith and friends, but field hockey. Everything I do is to make me a better field hockey player and to achieve my goal of playing college hockey.  In the offseason, I am constantly running or doing some sort of training to keep my endurance strong and my body stronger. I do personal training with Corey Taylor's Sports Performance Program used by high level athletes who want to be successful with their sports.  Even when I think I've got something down perfectly, I will always strive to do it even better. There's always something for me to improve on when it comes to endurance and field hockey.  Ever since I started playing in middle school, I've wanted to play college field hockey.  Division I is what I'd prefer to play, but I am open to exploring other options and opportunities. I will push myself to be the best player and student I can be and to be a leader on the team and in the classroom.  I am a junior at Assumption High School (tranferred from duPont Manual High School) and have also participated in many other sports. I was previously a top nationally ranked swimmer. I swam year-round and it taught me that if you never give up on your dreams, you can achieve anything you put your mind to.  I was state champion multiple times and, at the time, had so much fun doing a sport that I really enjoyed.  The attitude and perserverance I had with swimming is exactly how I feel about field hockey.  I'm very athletic and I have quick stick skills and speed on the field. Specifically, I can offer the team the skills of a forward or even a mid.  I prefer to play forward because I've played that all my life, but I will play wherever the coach and team needs me.  To overall describe myself, I believe I am a girl with great motivation, lots of passion for my sport, and am driven to be the best I can be in the thing I love most: field hockey. For my academics, I work hard to maintain a 4.1.  Competitive academics in college are a huge priority for me, because I would prefer to go somewhere that really challenges me and keeps pushing me. I settle for nothing less than my best in academics, sports, and my life. I hope to become a great role model to many other players, student athletes, and my family. I love the following quote and try to live by it every day.  It inspires and helps to drive me whether I am on the field or in the classroom:
"Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else."    Vince Lombardi