Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Field Hockey Announces Incoming Class of 2016
3/9/2012 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
March 9, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell field hockey head coach Jeremy Cook announced his latest recruiting class on Friday. The Bison will welcome Emily Hitchings, Shannon Keen, Kayla Sullivan, Kiersten Sydnor and Abby Watson to Graham Field as a part of the Class of 2016. During their scholastic careers, the five incoming freshmen combined for five state championships, seven scoring titles and nearly a dozen all-conference selections.
“I am extremely pleased with this very well-rounded incoming class,” said Cook. “Each player has the ability, athleticism and true Bucknell character that we are very excited to add to the group.”
Bucknell finished the 2011 season 8-12 overall and 3-2 in the Patriot League. The Bison upset No. 1 American in the conference semifinals to advance to their second Patriot League Championship in four years. They will graduate four seniors from that squad.
Following is an alphabetical list of the five Bucknell field hockey recruits that comprise the Class of 2016:
Class of 2016 Bios
Emily Hitchings (Fort Washington, Pa./Upper Dublin) – Four-year varsity starter and letterwinner with 66 career goals and 17 career assists at Upper Dublin High School … named 2011 First Team All-State by the Pennsylvania High School FHCA and First Team Suburban I All-League … four-time leading scorer and second leading scorer in Upper Dublin school history … two-time Most Valuable Player as voted by teammates … two-time National Festival and Disney Showcase participant … also four-year starter in lacrosse … daughter of Susan and Brian Hitchings … mother and father are members of Class of '84 … mother, Susan, played field hockey for the Bison ... grandparents, Bill '56 and Carol '57 Lenker, are Bucknell graduates … member of Mystx Field Hockey Club.
Shannon Keen (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) – Three-year varsity letterwinner and 2011 Team Defensive MVP … named Third Team Suburban I All-League in 2010 and 2011 … member of North Penn Team that qualified for PIAA State Championship in 2011 … also played varsity and travel softball … founding member of the Goodwill Ambassadors Club … daughter of Karen and Ken Keen … member of FSC Field Hockey.
Kayla Sullivan (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) – Four-year varsity starter and letterwinner at Bridgewater-Raritan High School … member of team that won four North Jersey Group IV State Championships … also four-year Somerset County and Skyland Conference Champion … 2010 NFHCA High School Mid-Atlantic Regional Team … three-time All-Group IV and All-Skyland Conference Defensive Team … also a three-time First Team Somerset Country selection … 2010 Junior Olympic Gold Medal Winner … two-time Junior Olympics selection … four-time National Festival participant and three-time National Indoor Tournament participant … daughter of Barbara and Michael Sullivan … member of Spirit Eagles Field Hockey Club.
Kiersten Sydnor (Shippensburg, Pa./Mercersburg Academy) – Four-year varsity starter and letterwinner with 57 career goals and 30 career assists … 2011 First Team Mid-Atlantic Prep League and Team MVP… three seasons as team's leading scorer … finished career as Mercersburg Academy's all-time leading scorer … two-time National Festival participant and four-time National Indoor Tournament participant … also a varsity letterwinner in track & field and lacrosse … daughter of Diana and Stanford Sydnor … member of PA Mavericks Field Hockey Club.
Abby Watson (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) – Three-year varsity letterwinner … 2011 First Team All-Somerset County … 2011 NFHCA High School National Academic Squad … 2011 National Club Championship gold medalist … 2011 National Futures Tournament silver medalist … two-time National Indoor tournament participant … also lettered in indoor and outdoor track & field … volunteer nursery school teacher and homeroom representative … daughter of Donna and Stephen Watson … member of Spirit of USA Field Hockey.
