MaryClare Hanley '17 Recruiting Profile

Hi, I'm MaryClare Hanley and I'm 16 years old, a junior in the class of 2017 at Tilton School. I am a goaltender for the Tilton's varsity girls ice hockey team & the NJ Rockets. Everyday I try to strive to be the best that I can be at everything I do. In school I work hard and I've learned to manage my time well between academics and athletics. My Sophomore year GPA is weighted is at 3.8.
 As for Hockey, playing this sport was the best decision I made in my entire life and I am so grateful for the experiences, friends I've made, and just being able to have fun playing the game itself. Playing hockey has allowed me to develop into a better, and more well rounded person throughout my years of playing it. I became a goalie when I was about 11 years old, I had just made the 12u Quarry Cats as a skater and we had no goalie. I remember it very clearly, my Coach said, "looks like we need a new goalie" and I was the first hand in the air to volunteer. After that I put on the new pads and helmet and didn't look back for a second. That year alone I learned so much about winning, losing, sportsmanship, respect, being a leader and so much more. I learned that half of being a goaltender is mental, staying calm and confident in your abilities is one of the best things you can do. During the season there are tons of practices and as a goalie I have an extra practice every week just to work on my skills. This taught me how to manage hours of school homework with hours of practice. Additionally hockey has given me my best friends, even girls that were on my first teams I still keep in contact with, friendships like that don't come around everyday.
 For the longest that I could remember hockey has been a huge part of my life, I went to a Devils game before my first birthday; I grew up with watching the sport. Hockey is so much more than just a game to me, I love to play and hockey is my life. Reaching High School and nearing college I can't imaging hanging up the skates. I aspire to play at any collegiate level, as long as I am playing the game I will be happy. In my long term future I hope to become something in the medical field, so whatever college I decided to go to will need to have ta premed program or the perquisites for med school. Overall, I consider myself a very well rounded, dedicated, and focused student and athlete.