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12/14/2016 11:00 PMAlanna Grimm has been competing alongside many of the same teammates ever since she joined the field hockey squad at Walsh Intermediate School. Now a senior, Alanna and her four fellow seniors—Keira Integlia, Carol Frye, Kiersten Bjork, and Emily Sachs—recently completed their careers with the Branford High School field hockey team by helping the Hornets have a historic season.
“We have been playing together since the start,” says Alanna. “It has been awesome to have them on the team with me. We love the sport so much and a big part of the reason we had such a great season is because we are all close.”
The highlight of the Hornets’ campaign came when the team won the SCC Tournament for the first time. Branford had to beat Lauralton Hall in penalty strokes in the semifinals, after which the Hornets defeated Cheshire in the final to take the conference title. Then in the Class M State Tournament, Branford won its first two games to advance to the semifinals, where it lost to New Canaan. All totaled, Alanna and company recorded a mark of 19-3 on the year.
“We went into the SCC Tournament finals not knowing what would happen because we had split the games during the regular season, but we had confidence and put everything we had into the game,” Alanna says. “Winning was absolutely the best feeling ever.”
“In states, we lost to New Canaan, which was really hard, but having the team there made it better,” she adds. “Right from the beginning of season, we worked so hard and had early success that pumped us up for the rest of the season. We got along so well as a team. Field hockey is known as a huge family and that’s part of what made the season ending so hard for me.”
Alanna was inspired to start playing field hockey after watching her older sister play. Alanna played at Walsh and attended camps with Cathy and John McGuirk, who coach the high school team. Alanna learned a lot from their clinics and enjoyed having the McGuirks as her coaches throughout her high school career.
One of the highlights of Alanna’s field hockey career came during her sophomore year, when Cathy McGuirk earned her 500th win as Hornets’ head coach. Alanna feels thankful for all the support and encouragement the McGuirks have given her through the years. In turn, Cathy McGuirk has not only seen Alanna grow on the field, but also as a leader who served as a positive influence for the club’s younger players.
“She is one of these real positive kids who is a very intense hard worker and I don’t think I ever saw her in a situation where she felt down, or in a negative mood,” says McGuirk. “She’s a super kid as a teammate, classmate, and student, not to mention an excellent field hockey player.”
Alanna’s leadership was recognized when she was named a co-captain for her senior season alongside Integlia, who was Branford’s goalie. Alanna enjoyed leading the captains’ practices during the summer, while encouraging her teammates to take part in summer camps to prepare for the season.
Alanna played center back for the Hornets and saw her first varsity action as a freshman after one of the team’s starters got injured. Although she was nervous, Alanna tried her hardest and, by her sophomore year, she was a varsity defender who was taking corners. She moved up to be the rusher on defensive corners in her junior and senior seasons.
“I was so nervous [in the first varsity game], but I played that game, and it was awesome,” says Alanna. “Typically, defense doesn’t get the credit with stats, but a goal isn’t scored by one player; it’s scored by the whole team. The team aspect of the sport is what I really love about it.”
Alanna is also part of a different type of team at the high school as she takes part in the musicals and is a member of the choir. Both activities are run by Cathyann Roding, who Alanna says is a source of inspiration to her. Additionally, Alanna is a high honors student who’s a member of the National Honor Society, the Interact Club, and the Leo Club.
“The Interact Club does different community service things around town, which I love to do,” says Alanna. “I spend time helping others and contributing in the community whenever I can.”
Alanna is thinking about her future and has applied to several colleges. She has an interest in studying social work and hopes to continue field hockey at a club level so she can focus on academics. Although she’ll be heading off to college next year, Alanna knows that the Hornets will always be close to her heart.
“I loved seeing the team from the beginning of the season and improving so much. It makes me so proud of the team,” Alanna says. “I’m so excited to see who will step up to be leaders next year and I hope they have a great season next year and in years to come. I love the team so much and can’t wait to come back to see their games.”