HELEN  YOUNG

Playing Field Hockey at Dartmouth College Fall of 2021
​St. John's School (Middle School)
Episcopal High School (2017 - 2021) Varsity all 4 years, Captain Senior Year

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From Helen: 
1.Favorite Field Hockey Memory? Why?
  • This past year- everyone got so close because field hockey was the only constant we had throughout Covid.

2.What was your most exciting recruiting experience?
  • Going on my unofficial visit and getting offered after the camp.

3.Why are you playing field hockey in college?
  • I love field hockey so much and the relationships that come with being on a team, I couldn't imagine going to college without it.

4.What have you done this summer to prepare?
  • I've been running a lot, lifting, and of course playing! I'm planning on doing most of the Pride camps and continuing my running/lifting packet!

5.If you could give one piece of advice to younger girls who want to play field hockey in college, what would it be?
  • Go out and practice by yourself or with a couple friends. I loved field hockey, but the minute I started putting in work outside of practice was when I really fell in love with it. Those extra touches, hits, or pulls help you improve so much.

6.Who was the most influential person in high school?
  • My field hockey coaches, Shelly and Coach White      

7.Favorite post practice/ game snack?
  • Orange juice or Mini Wheats

8.What pre game rituals do you use to hype yourself up before a game?
  • Dance parties/ listening to music!!

9.What made you want to be a college field hockey player?
  • I couldn't imagine going to college without playing a sport, let alone not playing field hockey. I just love it so much and I knew that going to a school and having a team and playing for something larger than myself was exactly what I wanted.

10.What was one of the toughest experiences?
  • Sitting down in the meeting with Tina and her telling me I needed to put in the work or it wouldn't workout

11.Year you began playing field hockey? How?
  • 2015... I think. I started at St. Johns and then Tyler convinced me to join pride! ​​
From Tina:
Favorite Helen Moment (old) / why?:
  • Helen was on some pretty rough teams. We weren't very good when Helen first started playing with us. In particular was the spring Helen aged up to U16 and we played in JPOL.  She was on the trip with us to DePauw, which was a pretty tough experience. Now, it's very funny. The best thing about Helen through all those years was her laugh and her smile no matter what. Helen always had a good time.  She was always the light one bringing a positive perspective and outlook when things weren't so great.  

Favorite Helen moment (new)/ why?
  • There wasn't one moment over the last year. All I can recall is that Helen became such a better player over the last year and through quarantine.  I remember thinking at some point last year that Dartmouth was very lucky to be getting 'this' Helen, because this was not the player that was recruited.  By the time she had left for college, she had developed so much in the prior two years and it was very impressive.  She had developed her attacking skills, hitting skills, vision, distribution skills and just kept working to be her best. Helen's best field hockey days are certainly ahead of her. 

Story we will forever tell about Helen:
  • We will always tell the story about Helen's recruiting process. It was late August and Helen wasn't getting the attention she wanted or needed to be successful with recruiting. We had a very direct heart to heart about her development and she sensed the urgency of needing to get better immediately. This had been a conversation we had a few times in the past, but this time...it was real. We talked about the extra touches outside of practice and growing in areas that she hadn't worked on in the past.  We set up a plan for her to follow that was fairly demanding during her school season, and...she did it all. She worked all the extra hours to keep developing that fall. 7 weeks later, those extra hours and extra touches paid off when she received her offer from Dartmouth. 

Favorite Helen recruiting moment/ why?
  • To go with the story above, I was so happy for Helen when she finally received her offer. With every player, we want them to see that when they work hard towards something and give everything they have...that it does work out. Their hard work does pay off. Helen recruiting process is the epitome of that. 

First memory of Helen / why?
  • Helen joined after her first school season and went to our U14 National Indoor Tournament her first winter playing (2016).  I can't remember how much we won or lost by that weekend, but I'm sure it was an interesting experience.  Those teams were pretty developmental...
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