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03/09/2016 11:00 PMRosie Riccio always puts her best foot forward as an athlete and now she’s getting ready to do the same after graduation, while contributing to an even greater cause for our country.
Rosie recently completed her career with Guilford girls’ ice hockey and she’s also played field hockey and lacrosse at the school. As a senior forward for the Indians this winter, Rosie was on the second line and helped guide a young club that featured seven rookies. When she graduates from high school this year, Rosie will join the U.S. Navy and work in the nursing field.
“My family has always been very patriotic, especially my grandmother. I was brought up to respect the country and so I wanted to be patriotic by being a part of something that was bigger than myself,” Rosie says. “The Navy is like being on a team and I’ve always liked that feeling and the teamwork that comes with it. Sports also influenced me to follow a dream and do it the right way.”
An avid New York Rangers fan, Rosie is an enthusiast of hockey at every level. She first donned the Indians’ green and white as a junior last year after being inspired by her friends to join the program.
“I always loved hockey and I saw it as a great way to challenge myself, plus many in my family played it. A lot of my friends played hockey on the team, plus I knew [Head Coach Gil] Schaper previously,” says Rosie, who had an assist this season. “I thought it would be a good fit for me and we were a close-knit team that had a lot of fun.”
Coach Schaper says that although Rosie didn’t light up the stat sheet, she often brightened up things on the ice through her infectious spirit.
“Rosie was not the strongest player, but she always has a positive attitude. Her laugh and attitude are contagious,” says Schaper. “She also came to every practice this year, except two, which she missed for Navy obligations.”
Playing sports has helped Rosie get through some difficult times. It’s also developed her positive attitude that Coach Schaper alluded to.
“I am positive because I’ve always loved playing sports and they’ve gotten me through a lot,” says Rosie. “I lost my father [Edward] to cancer when I was in 5th grade, which is when I started lacrosse, so sports really have helped me through tough times.”
Although she only played hockey for two seasons at Guilford, Rosie still played an integral role in shaping the program’s future. Along the way, Rosie collected some lasting memories that she’ll carry with her as she prepares to embark on her life in the military.
“I hadn’t been with the team long going into this year, but I knew we had some big shoes to fill. I felt it was important to encourage the younger girls to feel welcome and come back for the team next season and we had an amazing freshman class this year,” says Rosie, who thanks her mother Nikki Travaglino, Coach Schaper, Guilford field hockey Head Coach Kitty Palmer, plus her teammates and friends. “The teamwork we had during practices and games was amazing, as were the things we were able to accomplish. It was the most fun sports season I had.”