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10/17/2019 12:00 AMTaylor Stone is performing a balancing act to perfection at Old Saybrook High School. Taylor, a junior, is a member of the Rams’ field hockey, girls’ basketball, and crew programs who is also performing quite well in the classroom.
Taylor’s love for field hockey started when she joined her middle school team. When she arrived at the high school, Taylor made Old Saybrook’s varsity squad as a freshman.
“I made the switch from soccer to field hockey in the 6th grade,” Taylor says. “It wasn’t a very competitive game until I got to high school. Then, everything changed. It was different and much more intense.”
Taylor is currently in her third year with the Rams’ field hockey squad. Nancy Gatta, who became Old Saybrook’s head coach four games into the 2018 season, says that Taylor is a dangerous player on all ends of the field.
“Taylor hadn’t been getting that much playing time when I came on board. I wasn’t sure why, but it changed right away,” Gatta says. “I saw that her speed could be a tremendous asset. She’s an attacker who, when we need her, can play in the middle. She’s a very good two-way field hockey player.”
Old Saybrook has a record of 6-4 entering the home stretch of its campaign. The Rams need just one more victory to qualify for the Class S State Tournament. Taylor likes what she’s seen on the field going all the way back to the preseason.
“We’ve been working hard. It all began in the summer,” says Taylor. “We’ve had a couple of setbacks, but we’re staying positive. Our goal is to make the Shoreline Tournament and to move on into the State Tournament.”
Taylor had an assist when sophomore Grace Adams scored a goal during Old Saybrook’s 4-0 victory versus Waterford last week. Taylor feels pleased with how Adams and fellow sophomores Libby Stuart and Alexa Coty are contributing for the up-and-coming Rams this year.
“We’re a young team,” Taylor says. “Three of our sophomores have played very well.”
As the seasons change, Taylor will turn to basketball during the winter and then crew in the springtime. Taylor guides Old Saybrook along the waves as the coxswain for the crew.
“I love that position, because you’re the leader,” says Taylor. “It’s a good experience for me. You need to get the timing right and to help your teammates.”
Taylor had a pretty easy introduction to crew. Her family has been on the water for as long as she can remember.
“My family have been water people since I was a baby,” Taylor says. “I was born on the ocean and had a kayak at a young age.”
While Taylor loves playing sports, she’s also very focused on her academics at Old Saybrook. Taylor certainly stays busy, but she always manages to get everything done.
“School does come before sports. I’ve always tried, however, to equal them out,” she says. “It’s all about time management, getting home from either a practice or a game and doing homework. You just find a way to do it.”
Taylor’s favorite subject at Old Saybrook is U.S. History. Looking ahead to college, Taylor is thinking about going to school out of state, although she doesn’t want to stray too far from home.
“I have lots of time yet,” says Taylor. “But I definitely want to stay somewhere in New England.”