On Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, Central Bucks West seniors Emily Halderson, Anna Hall and Ariana Wexler were recognized for committing to play field hockey at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Emily Halderson – Fairfield University (Field Hockey)
Major: Special Education or Speech Therapy
Final list of colleges: Fairfield, Monmouth, East Stroudsburg
Reasons for choosing Fairfield: “I knew going into it that I didn’t want a big school, and when I went to Fairfield, it’s a beautiful campus, and I felt comfortable talking to the people on the team and the coach, so it really drew me to it.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “I started playing field hockey in seventh grade, and I just played through middle school. I only started to get serious about it in 10th grade when I moved to high school because that’s when I started playing club field hockey.”
Coach Courtney Lepping says: “Emily has been the star of our defense now for a while. She has become better and better every year while still being consistent with the things she does do. She has an excellent hit, she’s become a very versatile dribbler, and she’s going to make an impact at Fairfield from day one. She has the attitude to take on the challenges of college hockey, and she has all the skills necessary to succeed at the next level. As captains this year, Emily and Anna (Hall) were just so instrumental in keeping our team chemistry as good as it was.”
About Emily:
Favorite food: Mashed Potatoes
Favorite movie: Insidious
Favorite music: Pop
Anna Hall – Ursinus College (Field Hockey)
Major: Psychology
Final list of colleges: Ursinus, Mansfield
Reasons for choosing Ursinus: “I just liked the closeness to home with Ursinus, and the team was so welcoming. On my overnight, I had a great time, and I really appreciated how close-knit the community was. That’s what really got me, and the people there really seemed to love the school, and I think that’s so important.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “In 10th grade, it was indoor season, and I wanted to take it to the next level. I always knew that I loved to play field hockey, and I couldn’t imagine stopping after high school. The ball started rolling last summer when I started narrowing down my list. I got to visit schools and really pick my top ones.”
Coach Courtney Lepping says: “Anna has such a cool personality, and it will be really interesting and fun to see her at the college level because she’s so well rounded as an athlete and as a person. She’s going to really meld well into the game of hockey at the next level and be able to take all the challenges that come with it. She liked to refer to herself as the quarterback of our team as the left mid and just knew how important that position was and just took it upon herself to really be an important part of our offense. I’m really excited to see where she goes and what she does at the next level because she has so much potential and has that well-rounded attitude that will take her to great places.”
About Anna:
Favorite food: Mac ‘N Cheese
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: Alternative
Ariana Wexler – Fairleigh Dickinson (Field Hockey)
Major: Sports Management
Final list of colleges: Fairleigh Dickinson, Ithaca, Susquehanna
Reasons for choosing Fairleigh Dickinson: “I went for an overnight, and the team is just so nice. The campus is absolutely beautiful, and they have an amazing program for my major. Everything was just perfect about it.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “I started seriously playing field hockey in my sophomore year, and after that, I just fell in love with the sport, and I knew this was something I just could never give up, and I had to keep playing.”
Coach Courtney Lepping says: “Ariana is a kid who has improved greatly since day one to what she became this year, her senior year. She got some time last year on varsity, but this is when it all came together for her. She is a tenacious defender and worker, and that’s something we really took advantage of and used her for. She is just a real positive person on the field and just loves the game and gets involved as much as she can.”
About Ariana:
Favorite food: Ice Cream
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: One Republic
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