Plymouth Whitemarsh seniors Kayla Link and Olivia Truong have both committed to continue their field hockey careers at the collegiate level. (Signing photos provided courtesy of David Sherman/Plymouth Whitemarsh High School.)
"Kayla and Livia served as our team captains this season, and under their leadership, our team was able to play at a high level and compete at the state tournament for the first time since 2004,” coach Charise Halteman said. “These two student-athletes have represented PW and our field hockey program well, and we have so appreciated their energy and commitment. We are so proud of their growth and development over the last four years, and we can't wait to see the impact they will have at their respective universities."
Senior Kayla Link, a two-year starter on defense, will join a Kean University team that posted a 19-4 record and advanced to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals in 2019. Link scored five goals and added nine assists as a senior while helping PWHS to a 20-3 record overall. The Colonials won their seventh straight Suburban One League American Conference (SOLAC) championship, advanced to the District One championship game and qualified for the PIAA AAA championship.
Link was name Second Team All-State by the Pennsylvania Field Hockey Coaches Association as a senior. She was also named First Team All-SOLAC. She received honorable mention to the All-SOLAC team as a junior when she scored four goals and assisted on 10 others.
In addition to field hockey, Link is a member of the Class of 2020 Steering Committee and participated in DECA. She will join a number of PWHS students in competition at the 2020 Pennsylvania DECA Conference in February. Link plans to study STEM-Biomedicine at Kean.
Kayla Link – Kean University (Field Hockey)
Major: STEM Bio-Medicine
Final list of colleges: Kean University, Franklin & Marshall, Vassar College, Widener University
Reasons for choosing Kean: “Kean was the perfect fit for many reasons. Coach LaFronz and all of the assistants are not only great coaches, but seem to be passionate and truly care for the players. The team is a great group of girls that I cannot wait to be a part of. Besides athletics, NJCSTM (The New Jersey Center of Science, Technology and Math) school at Kean is an amazing program. With small class sizes, experienced professors and a focus on research, their program was exactly what I was looking for.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “I didn’t know it at the time, but I believe my journey ultimately started in the winter of seventh grade. A coach and teacher of mine, Mrs. Cynthia Slagle, came to my family and me letting us know that I should join a club field hockey team. She said she saw much potential in me and thought I could go farther in the sport. After beginning club field hockey is when this became my main focus in terms of all extra-curriculars.
“I worked hard for many years and freshman year I thought this was something that I could possibly play at the collegiate level. Although I knew it would take a lot of work, I began the recruiting process at the end of freshman year. This beginning included researching and emailing possible schools, but also training at a more intense level.”
Coach Charise Halteman says: "Kayla has been a steady presence in the backfield for our team this season. Her consistent play, smart decision making, and leadership skills will serve her well at the collegiate level. We wish her the best of luck as a Kean Cougar."
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite TV show: One Tree Hill
Favorite artist: Bruno Mars
Plymouth Whitemarsh senior Livia Truong will join former Colonials teammates Frankie O'Brien and Sam Spera on the NCAA Division I Hofstra University field hockey team. Both O'Brien and Spera started all 18 games for Hofstra last season.
Truong, a team captain, was a staunch defender on the PWHS field hockey team that posted a 20-3 record, won its seventh straight Suburban One League American Conference Championship, advanced to the District One Championship game and qualified for the PIAA AAA Championship. With Truong leading the defense, the Colonials posted 11 shutouts and outscored their opponents 134-24.
Truong was named First-Team All-State by the Pennsylvania High School Field Hockey Coaches Association (PHSFHCA). She also received the PHSFHCA Junior/Senior Academic Award her junior and senior years. Truong was named First-Team All-SOLAC as a senior and Second-Team All-SOLAC as a junior. She received Honorable Mention to the All-SOLAC team as a sophomore.
A Distinguished Honor Roll student, Truong is a member of the National Honor Society, her class Steering Committee and the Student Council. She aspires to be a physician's assistant and plans to major in Biology at Hofstra
Livia Truong – Hofstra University (Field Hockey)
Major: Biology
Reasons for choosing Hofstra: “I chose Hofstra because it would allow me to balance both field hockey and education. The coaching staff is
super helpful, and I know they can help me improve my skills. Hofstra has the academic program I'm interested in and is not too far from home. The campus is beautiful and the perfect size for me.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “Playing in college has always been just a dream of mine since the beginning of high school. My family and I never planned on me continuing hockey in college, so I never started the recruiting process. Coaches still reached out to me and I realized I didn't want to stop playing after senior year. I technically started the process September 2019 and three months later in December, I committed.”
Coach Charise Halteman says: "Livia has been an integral player on our team for the past three seasons. Her athleticism, ability to attack out of the backfield, and solid block tackle have made her a standout defender. We are thrilled she is continuing her athletic career at Hofstra."
Favorite food: Nachos
Favorite TV show: Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
Favorite music: EDM, Pop and Rap
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