Canton Patch Athlete of the Week:Meaghan McKenna

MEAGHAN MCKENNA – Junior center-midfielder/defense

NAME OF TEAM:

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: "Meaghan is a total team player, who is unselfish and a leader. She puts the team’s welfare before her own. She doesn’t care if she has to play a new position and doesn’t score goals like she did (six goals), last season. She is the epitome of what Canton Field Hockey is all about. We needed her to do this thankless role and she has made everyone else a better player. Meaghan is a three-year starter, who also excels off the field and in the classroom. She is a coach on the field who constantly studies the game and works hard to make herself better. She doesn’t use our success to ever letdown and excels with more responsibility given to her. It is important to recognize that player on your team, and there is always one in any sport, that never shows up as any statistical leader, but is so important to the success of his/her team. We wouldn’t be the same team without Meaghan McKenna.”  –Fior Griffin, Canton High Field Hockey Head Coach.

WHY IS SHE THE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK? The Canton Field Hockey team is one of the most successful high school teams over the past two decades. There have been and currently are many great players that have played for the Bulldogs. For the field hockey team to be successful for so long and for so consistently, you need a versatile player to lead the transition game from defense to offense. This player must excel in the defensive zone, stop the opponent, rush the ball up half the field and set up the offense to score.

Coming into this year, Canton didn’t have this type of player, after the graduation of All-Star Allison Guenthner, and returned a defensive unit and goal-tending that entered the season, inexperienced. Meaghan, only a junior, volunteered to be this player that works harder, gets very few goals and assists, never shows up on the box score and makes everyone else look better. Meaghan has helped Canton to a 7-0-0 start and outscoring its opponents, 30-1, with six shutouts and a perfect 4-0 in the Hockomock League Davenport (small schools) Division. Meaghan also fills the void of hitting the corner shots and is able to play every position, and by the way, still has managed to score three goals.

QUOTE: “I’m successful because the team is successful and we all play as one unit, communicate well and see the whole field. We never take any team lightly and we take no shortcuts. We have great coaches, team chemistry and we all spend time together on the field and off the field. We are all very close friends and we all have an important role to the team. We all want to keep up the winning tradition and we all know how important field hockey is here at Canton. I also owe so much to my teachers, coaches and my family.” –Meaghan McKenna

FAVORITE CAREER ATHLETIC MOMENT: Winning the South Sectional Championship

STATISTICS: Meaghan scored six goals last season and has three this season. She has played for a team that went undefeated throughout the regular season, helping win two Hockomock League titles and Sectional Championships playing at various positions. Meaghan also is a two-time Most Valuable Player for the Canton Girls’ Ice Hockey team, as a center, during her freshman and sophomore seasons. She also is a forward for the Lacrosse team. Her success isn’t limited to the athletic fields, as Meaghan is an A-student and has been recognized for her academic achievement, and is in the top 10% of her class.

FUTURE GOALS: To win a State Title (the last one for the Canton Field Hockey team was in 2006) and play Field Hockey in college and pursue a career in the medical profession.

NEXT UP: Tuesday, October 4, vs. Attleboro, at CHS at 6:00 p.m.

WHATS ON YOUR IPOD: Meaghan enjoys Pop and Rap music

OTHER INTERESTS: Meaghan enjoys spending time with her family (parents and two younger brothers.) Meaghan performs community service work for St. Gerard Church and the National Charities League where mothers and daughters work together. She also enjoys baking and her favorite classes include Biology, English and Art.