Dental Arts of Westwood Athletes of the Month: Kate Sullivan

Westwood Living: How long have you been playing hockey?

 

Kate: Since I was six-years-old. I learned how to skate pretty much as soon as I could walk, around age 3. My older brother played hockey so my dad got my younger brother and I into it as well.

 

Westwood Living: What made you fall in love with the sport?

 

Kate: I love all of the different teams that I’ve been on. I play club hockey too, so I’ve gotten to meet other people from towns outside of Westwood who started as teammates but are now some of my closest friends.

 

Westwood Living: Do you always play the same position or do you rotate between different ones?

 

Kate: Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever played defense, which is weird because I feel like when kids are younger, they explore different positions. I’ve just always played offense, usually center.

 

Westwood Living: What’s your favorite memory through Westwood Hockey?

 

Kate: Probably when we beat NDA (Notre Dame Academy) my Freshman year. That was a lot of fun because our team hadn’t beat them in about seven years and then we won, thanks to Kendall Blomquist’s exciting overtime goal.

 

Westwood Living: Why do you think that Westwood Girls Varsity Hockey continuously makes the playoffs?

 

Kate: I think that our team focuses a lot on team bonding outside of the sport. Which helps us really click once we’re out on the ice. Everyone looks forward to playing, whether it’s practice or a game. I also love the Youth Hockey programs that Westwood has. We try to go to Learn to Skate on Saturdays as a team to encourage younger kids, especially the girls, to play hockey. Hockey is not like other sports. You travel, sometimes really far, really early in the morning, to go to different rinks. We spend so much time together in the car.

 

Westwood Living: How do you motivate yourself to get up early for practice?

 

Kate: It’s definitely hard in the beginning of the season, but it becomes routine because you do it three times a week. So your body just knows once you get into the middle of season. I am not a morning person at all, but I look forward to going to the rink and being with my friends.

 

Westwood Living: We heard you recently achieved a pretty impressive milestone in your WHS Hockey career. Can you share about that?

 

Kate: Yeah so from freshman year to now, I’ve scored 100 points (assists + goals). Honestly, I was really surprised when they announced it at the Norwood game earlier this season because  I didn’t even realize that I was close to hitting that!

 

Westwood Living: Wow that’s incredible! Okay, final question – What advice do you have for younger players?

 

Kate: Hockey can be really tough when you’re younger. I remember my dad would have to give me a cookie to stay out on the ice. For young kids, waking up early is not fun. But if you stick with it, it gets really fun. Sometimes kids just need a little extra encouragement from their parents when they feel like they want to quit.