Charlie Breitrose
Watertown senior Kourtney Kennedy was named to the Second Team All-America team.
For the second straight year, Watertown’s Kourtney Kennedy has been selected as a Second Team All-American Field Hockey player.
Kennedy closed out her senior year at Watertown High School by winning the state title for the fourth time (and the school’s eighth straight). She scored the winning goal in the state final in November and next year she will play Div. 1 college field hockey.
Though she had success on the field, Kennedy said she did not think she would be chosen as one of best in the nation.
“I never thought I would ever be an All-American in high school,” Kennedy said. “I never even knew that it was possible to do in high school, until I was named to it my junior year.”
She said the biggest factor for her success as a field hockey player was her coach at WHS, Eileen Donahue.
“If I had not had the opportunity to be apart of her team, I would have not accomplished what I have,” Kennedy said. “Ms. Donahue improved my game and taught me so many life lessons.”
Kennedy had plenty of role models here in Watertown, including some right in her own family.
“One player that I always looked up to was my cousin Erika Kelly. I loved going to her games and dreamed of playing like her one day,” Kennedy said. “Also, I always looked up to Allie Doggett and Emily Loprete. They were captains my first two years and helped me improve my game.”
Charlie Breitrose
Kourtney Kennedy, right, will play field hockey at UConn. Here she signed her letter of intent along with WHS basketball player Shannon Murphy (left) and field hockey player Olivia Venezia.
This year, she was a co-captain of the Raiders along with her sister, Jonna, a junior goalie who recently was named to the Under 17 National Team.
“I think it was one of the coolest things that I have done. I am happy that we were able to experience my final season together like that,” Kennedy said. “I am really excited to see what she does next season and with the national team.”
Her favorite memories from her time on the WHS field hockey team are winning the state championships.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates,” Kennedy said. “It’s the best feeling that knowing that all the hard work that you, your coaches, and teammates put in, was all worth it.”
Next fall, Kennedy will head to UConn, where she will play field hockey for the Huskies.
“My goal is to take everything that I learned from being a member of the Watertown Field Hockey team and take it all to UConn,” Kennedy said. “It would be awesome to win a National Championship.”