Keith Watkins '25 Recruiting Profile

Sailing coaches please scroll to bottom.

Hockey

Challenges don't define a person, but how that person chooses to deal with them is what tells you most about a person's work ethic, drive, passion and resiliency.  Everyone faces challenges in their lives.  For me, my biggest challenge has been finding out that my body does not produce growth hormone.  All I've ever wanted to be is a high level hockey player.  Because of my stature and weight, my hockey career thus far has had it's ups and downs.  Coaches describe me as one of the hardest workers and most passionate hockey players on each team that I've been a part of.  I've played on town teams, elite teams and as an 8th grader for my high school's varsity team.  It's not because they looked at me and got excited about my size.  At every tryout, I've walked in and been judged on the fact that I'm "too small".  My parents, who are high level competitive gymnastics coaches have always told me to "worry about what you can control".  What I can control is my coachability, my level of conditioning and skill, my willingness to practice as hard as I can each and every day.  My coaches, teammates and other parents characterize me as the energizer bunny.  Coaches have always told me that I have a high hockey I.Q.  I am also excellent at playing my position, and because of my speed and size, I can get in and out of tight situations with the puck better than most.  I am also not afraid to play aggressively even though I am small.  I've always been told I have to be very smart about the hits I take and the checks I make.

Due to my ADHD and dyslexia as well as setbacks academically during COVID my parents and I decided to reclass to a graduating year of 2025.  I now go to The Forman School in Litchfield, CT. which specializes in ADHD and Dyslexia.  I am finishing my junior year and looking forward to another successful year as a senior.

Another exciting thing about my future is that I have been seeing an endochrinologist for the past six and a half years.  I have been taking growth hormone so I have finally caught up on my height and weight.  Even though I may never be a giant, my doctor is very hopeful that I will be about 5'11". I am currently 5'9" and 155 pounds.  I hope to play hockey in college after I graduate from The Forman School next year.  

Coaches, please don't count me out when you see me.  I can promise you that I will work the hardest.  I will always give my all no matter what.  My life thus far has prepared me to succeed regardless of the challenges that I face.  I can promise that you will not be disappointed.

Sailing:

My other passion is sailing.  I have been sailing since the age of 6 and competitively since age 8.  I am a member of the Hyannis Yacht Club and this is where I learned to race 420's. I have been in several regattas.  As a 9th grader, I also participated as a varsity member of the Monomoy High School Varsity Sailing Team.  Although the team is new, young and small, I was able to use my years of experience and leadership to help others learn to sail.  During my freshman year I was a captain and also named "most valuable player".  In addition I was named to the "Cape and Islands All Star Team."  I love sailing and I am hopeful that I will be able to continue this sport at a competitive level in college.