Field hockey seniors put two sticks up to symbolize the senior’s 11 days left of school!

The varsity field hockey team finished off their 2017-2018 season with a 9-7 record. Captains Anna Smarrelli and Allison King were both named First Team players on the Fredrick County All-Star team; Smarrelli as a midfielder and King as a defender.

First year player, Kaycee Morris, was very aggressive and excelled as both a defender and a midfielder. Goalies, Mallory Safsten and Jordan Specht, were vital to the team’s success. Safsten received honorable mention on the county all-star list and came up big with crucial saves in the Oakdale and Urbana games.

There is always that one teacher that has a special impact on a student during their time in high school. For Jordan Specht, that teacher is Ms. Andrea Poffinberger. Poffinberger was both Specht’s teacher and softball coach.

“Poff believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself,” said Specht. “She’s helped me become the softball player I am today. She also helped me work hard in the classroom and to not get upset if I receive a bad grade.” Specht plans to major in biochemistry and continue her softball career at Hood College. 

Mrs. Natalie Rebetsky has had an impact on Kaycee Morris. “Mrs. Rebetsky is my favorite teacher at Linganore,” said Morris. “She started out as my 9th grade English teacher and then my journalism teacher the rest of my years in high school. She has taught me and helped me so much over the years.”

Morris is attending Wilson College to major in veterinary sciences. She is excited to start a new path of life and learn how to work with something she loves — animals.

In the fall, Anna Smarrelli signed to Appalachian State University to play field hockey. She intends to major in communication sciences and disorders in hopes of becoming a speech pathologist and working with special needs children.     

Mrs. Mary Kate Henry, coach of the team, has been very influential in Smarrelli’s life.  “Although I only knew her for my last two years here at Linganore, Mrs. Henry has made a huge impact on me,” said Smarrelli. “Outside of field hockey, I would go to her classroom to talk or just hang out. She has inspired me to become a speech pathologist and work with special needs kids, just like she does, when I’m older. “

Allison King will be attending Duquesne University in the fall to study mathematics and biology. Her favorite memory from field hockey was beating Oakdale in a very close 2-1 game. Although Duquesne University does not have a field hockey team, King plans to continue playing the sport in the club sector.

“I’m going to miss field hockey so much,” said King. “I love the sport and I love my teammates. Some of my greatest friendships and fondest memories came from field hockey. It’s going to be really weird not training for the upcoming season and stepping onto the field in the fall.”

Mallory Safsten will be attending Brigham Young University in Utah, majoring in business. Although Safsten will miss her family and friends, she looks forward to meeting new people and studying abroad in college.

Underclassmen, “step out of your comfort zone and try new things, make new friends and try different classes,” said Safesten.

With the end of senior year fast approaching, keep your eyes peeled for more countdown stories from the Lance!