New Canaan High School is home to not only some of the most dedicated athletes, but it's also a magnet for dedicated fans. In our new column, Tracking Our Talent, we track down former NCHS athletes who now play at the collegiate level. Today's athlete is Katie Durkin.
Katie is a former Ram who didn't have many off-seasons in her four years at NCHS. Starting with field hockey in the fall, moving on to ice hockey in the winter and then lacrosse in the spring,
Name: Katherine "Katie" Durkin
NCHS Class: 2009
Varsity Team(s) Ice hockey (four years), field hockey (four years), lacrosse (three years), track (one year)
College: Bucknell
Class: 2013
College varsity sport(s) years: Field hockey (first year)
Katie saw playing time in all 19 games with two starts. She's also the recipient of the Bucknell "Giver Award" –usually awarded to a senior, who best displayed team attitude. It is one of three awards presented by the coaching staff.
Most memorable or fondest sports moment as a Ram:
"There have been many, but this one really stands out. In the 2007-2008 season the girls hockey team was playing in the semi final round of the State championships at Yale against Simsbury. The gamed ended in a tie after regulation time. In overtime neither team could score after four overtimes. We were down to five-on-five, then four-on-four, then three-on-three and finally, we won it in the fifth overtime. I was totally exhausted and flopped down on the ice." [Ed. note: The Rams would later move into the championship game and beat Greenwich for the title, 3-0.]
What do you miss most about NCHS?:
"I really loved the experiences and time spent at NCHS, but the transition to college was made smoother with similar opportunities here at Bucknell. I do miss the opportunity to play so many different sports as I did in high school."
Biggest adjustment from NCHS to college:
"I'd have to say being away from home. I miss my family but fortunately it's not too long a drive from New Canaan to Lewisburg. The other big adjustment was time management."
Got any summer plans?
"I'm working at Woodway Country club in the Pro Shop for the second consecutive summer."
