Field Hockey Announces Six-Player Recruiting Class

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell field hockey head coach Jeremy Cook has announced a six-player recruiting class that will join the Bison starting with the 2019 season. Alina Arko, Noor Kaur, Mackenzie Kile, Kayla Kisthardt, Clara McCormick and Maddie Rehak have committed to Bucknell for Cook's 12th season with the team.

Bucknell is coming off its 11th straight appearance in the Patriot League Tournament, all coming during Cook's tenure as head coach.

The following is a closer look at each incoming player:

Alina Arko | Fair Haven, N.J./Rumson Fair Haven Regional | Jersey Intensity
Second Team All-Shore selection while helping Rumson Fair Haven Regional win the New Jersey Group 2 state title … also contributed to team's four straight sectional championships and four conference titles … played for Jersey Intensity … also excelled in track and field, holding school records as part of the 4x400M relay, indoor shuttle hurdle relay, and outdoor shuttle hurdle relay … daughter of Ken and Cynthia Arko … has two younger sisters, Cecilia and Elise.
Cook on Arko – "Alina is really, really speedy. She first came to our attention as a dual recruit with our track team, but has chosen to stick with field hockey. She'll work over her first year or so to leverage her athletic ability to become dangerous for us up front."

Noor Kaur | Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge | Total Dutch
Named all-state in New Jersey while playing for Ridge High School … three-time All-North Jersey selection, including first team honors as a junior and senior … three-time First Team All-Somerset County … three-time First Team All-Skyland Conference … four-year letterwinner … received the US marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award … tallied 99 career points on 29 goals and 41 assists … played for Total Dutch Field Hockey … a participant in the Futures program since seventh grade … daughter of Mandhir Singh and Achint Kaur … has one younger sibling, Dayaal Singh … father was on the field hockey and track teams at St. Stephen's College in New Delhi, India … family is from Punjab, India.
Cook on Kaur – "Noor has field hockey in her DNA, as her father competed at a high level in India growing up. She sees the field extremely well, and is handy and tricky enough to challenge right away in the midfield where she'll rejoin her club teammate."

Mackenzie Kile | Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood | Electric Surge
Named all-state in Pennsylvania while playing for Crestwood High School … All-Wyoming Valley Conference selection … led Crestwood to the district title … part of the Futures Level 1 program … team captain in both field hockey and lacrosse … NFHCA Academic Squad Scholar of Distinction … played for the Electric Surge Field Hockey Club … daughter of Russell and Susan Kile … one older brother, Travis, and one older sister, Morgan … sister played field hockey at Ohio State … cousin, Kelsey Amy, played field hockey at Penn State … member of the National Honor Society.
Cook on Kile – "We're excited about Mackenzie's goal scoring. She's absolutely fearless in the attacking circle and knows where to be and when, which are instincts that are tough to teach. I think she's going to adapt really quickly to our style and will be a great addition up front with the loss of such a strong class this past year."

Kayla Kisthardt | Allentown, Pa./Emmaus | Firestyx
Four-time all-state in Pennsylvania while playing for Emmaus High School … four-time All-EPC honoree … four-time All-District XI … all-area selection … three-year starter and one-year captain … led Emmaus to two state titles and four-straight district titles, upping the program's streak to 30-straight district championships … team was 107-2 during her four seasons … tallied 110 career points on 37 goals and 36 assists … played for the Firestyx Field Hockey Club … also excelled in track and field … daughter of Michael and Deborah Kisthardt … has one younger sister, Mackenzie.
Cook on Kisthardt – "Kayla works incredibly hard and plays in a completely unselfish way. She was the hub of the wheel at center mid for one of the strongest high school programs in PA this past year, and I am confident she will challenge our team on the field with her ability to defend, her athleticism, and her distribution ability."

Clara McCormick| Pittsburgh, Pa./Shady Side Academy | WC Eagles
Two-time All-WPIAL selection while playing in goal for Shady Side Academy … three-year starter and one-year team captain … led team to WPIAL title as a senior, going 12-1 overall and 8-0 in the division … recorded seven shutouts that season … member of the 2018-19 USA National Indoor Team and was selected to travel to play in the Croatia Cup … played for the WC Eagles … also a four-year letterwinner in squash … daughter of James and Tricia McCormick … has one older sister, Moira, and one younger sister, Marnie.
Cook on McCormick – "Clara will join Olivia and Peyton competing in goal for us this year. She has a fantastic way about her, organizes her teammates around her very well, and will thrive here over time. It's been great to see her earn opportunities to play internationally alongside Coach Sam Carlino with the US Indoor program. That experience has really energized her desire to improve."

Maddie Rehak | Forest Hill, Md./The Episcopal Academy | WC Eagles
Finished with 171 career points on 71 goals and 29 assists while playing for The Episcopal Academy … three-time First Team All-Inter AC selection … three-time All-Delco … three-time First Team All-Main Line … team captain … team's top scorer as a senior with 23 goals and as a junior with 22 goals … led The Episcopal Academy to two Pennsylvania state titles and one runner-up finish … played for WC Eagles … twice selected for the National Futures Championship … active participant in theatre and plans to continue that at Bucknell … daughter of Melissa Rehak … two younger siblings, Reese and Macy.
Cook on Rehak – "Maddie is a very dangerous striker with great speed and finishing ability. I'm looking forward to her challenging up front as she learns our structure and gets comfortable with how we play."

Bucknell University Athletics

Field Hockey Announces Six-Player Recruiting Class

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