sealsfieldhockey.com
Special Feature Page
November 10, 2006
sealsfieldhockey.com is extremely pleased to post another former hockey player interview. And the interview happened overnight. Literally. Two months ago, we emailed Shelby Latchford (our previous interviewee) for a lead on another former Seal's player to interview. She just sent a reply and said that she knew just the person for these times… these times being when "only the strong survive." And so, USA National Team member and former Seal player Keli Smith was emailed and in less than twenty-four hours the below questions were asked and answered. We think that you'll enjoy her responses. Although all communications were typed text, Keli showed great enthusiasm for her former high school and encouraging the current crop of players. Her quick response, helpful comments, and sense of humor easily suggest that she's as terrific off the field as she is on turf. She sends here best wishes for the team and would love to watch them play in the finals.
Keli. Thank you for your support.
SFH.com: As a US team member, you have competed as a field hockey player in Spain, Italy, England, South Africa, Japan, and numerous other countries. What were the early experiences that moved you toward first becoming a hockey player?
KS: As a child, I looked up to my older sister Kara very much. When Kara started playing hockey, I wanted to play too ... when she folded her jeans and wore plaid shirts, I did too (thanks Kara!). So, I had a hockey stick in my hand at an early age. I could not wait until I entered 7th grade so I could finally be part of a team. Throughout junior high and high school, I was fond of being part of something bigger then myself and making new friends throughout the process. Because field hockey seemed to be where my talent lies, it was only natural to take every opportunity to continue playing and cherish every team I became part of.
SFH.com:
What
was your favorite moment as a Seal hockey player?
KS:
Beating Lewisburg! Back in those days, Lewisburg
and Selinsgrove were big rivals, but also
friends. There was so much adrenaline going into those games ...and of
course, we always won. Lauren Gemberling
and I are good friends to this day and we still reminisce and debate about many
victories we had over the Dragons. Too bad we could never beat their 4x400
relay team in the spring.
SFH.com:
As a beginning hockey player, what older player influenced you the most.
KS:
That is
a hard question!! Many people had a positive influence on me for a variety
of reasons. The graduating class of 1996 was an extremely hardworking
group of people, some of them included; Sabrina Bingaman,
Holly Miller, Traci Anselmo, and Sarah Carver.
I looked up to them for their leadership qualities, cohesiveness, ability to
have a good time under any circumstance, and simply because they are all good
people.
SFH.com:
What type of advice would you give to a high school player that wants to improve
her play?
SFH.com: What did you find most challenging about the transition from a
high school player to a college Division I player?
KS:
The
speed of the game! I remember the 2nd day
of preseason at Maryland my freshman year.
We were scrimmaging at night and I was marking senior, Lindsay McVicker.
Lindsay was from Ireland and in the international hockey world, everyone knew
her as "McQuicker". Lindsay ran
me into the ground and I quickly learned that I was immersed in a new level and
it was sink or swim. Let's just say, I swam that season thanks to her. Now
that high school players are exposed to turf on a more frequent basis, I think
many players come into college much more prepared for the speed, but I learned
the hard way on that August night.
SFH.com: What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of
Coach Keiser?
KS:
WOW! So
many things come to mind! Coach Keiser is
a leader! She leads not only with her presence, but also by example.
She makes you want to work hard, because you know she does! As a player,
you would never darn complain about running, or she would show you she could do
it and beat you! She is demanding, but always with a smile and kind heart.
She challenges her players to not only be better players but also better people.
These are some of the qualities that make her an amazing coach. But,
she’s also a real coach. She’s a mother, teacher, and to me, a great
friend! She has balance in her own life and therefore, understands that
about others.
SFH.com: I had the opportunity as a kid to watch your father's
All-American performances as a PSU
football player. How are Neal Smith's stick skills?
KS: You would need to ask him that! He has yet to hold a hockey stick in front of me....unless he was carrying my stick bag for me after a game.
SFH.com: The USA Field Hockey site has your favorite movie listed as "Sweet Home Alabama". What's your favorite scene?
KS: ... I still love, Sweet Home Alabama. My favorite scene is when Reese Witherspoon's NYC boyfriend comes to her Alabama country town for the first time. It reminds me of bringing my college boyfriend (also from NY) home for the first time. It was late at night and too complicated to give directions to my house, so I told him to meet me at the Walmart and follow me. His eyes were so big when he pulled into that parking lot. It wasn't quite the city life he was used to. The only difference between my experience and the scene in that movie is that I am so proud of my hometown! No Mom, it doesn't mean I am moving home anytime soon.
sealsfieldhockey.com is pleased to have had the opportunity to interview a former seals hockey player. Shelby Latchford is a 1999 graduate of S.A.H.S. She was a four-year letter awardee while earning a starting role for the 96, 97, and 98 seasons. She earned Most Improved in her freshman and sophomore years respectively. She was recognized as Most Coachable and earned 2nd Team Daily Item honors in her junior year. In Shelby's final year, she was recognized as team Co-MVP, Middleburg Tourney Team MVP, 1st Team Daily Item, and 2nd Team All-State. Shelby played as a back or in the midfield position. She then graduated from Penn State University in May 2003 with a B.S. in Biotechnology. While there, she played on the club team for four years and served as the club president for two of those years. The hockey club played division I, II, and III teams such as Juniata, Loch Haven, Shippensburg, St. Francis, and Bucknell, at both indoor and outdoor venues. Shelby currently lives in Ambler, PA. sealsfieldhockey.com would like to thank Shelby for her willingness to take time out of her busy schedule. She was an enthusiastic interviewee.
Shelby wishes the seals the best of luck in playoffs and post-season play.
SFH.com: It's rumored that you were originally a soccer player. When and how did you become interested in field hockey?
SL: Yes, I was originally a soccer player. I first took up hockey when most other Selingrovians do, in middle school at 7th/8th grade hockey. As decision time arose for high school, Coach Keiser encouraged me to play on an indoor team with Traci Anselmo and Holly Miller during the Selinsgrove Indoor Tournament (I was in 8th grade at the time). The encouragement of both Coach Keiser and the teammates that I played with had a big role in helping me choose to play field hockey in high school. The depth of field hockey was evident, something that girls soccer lacked as it was such a new sport to Selinsgrove. It also didn’t hurt that we beat Middleburg’s 1995 seniors in the finals to win the tournament!
SFH.com: What was special about playing field hockey?
SL: The best part about playing Selinsgrove field hockey was being part a team and carrying on the traditions, rivalries, and excellence that only Selinsgrove could do.
SFH.com: When you played for the Seals, who were your coaches?
SL: Coach Keiser, Coach Strickler, and Coach Long
SFH.com: What older player most influenced you?
SL:
Traci Anselmo- On and off the field she made you feel like
her friend and a part of the team- she always encouraged you. Keli
Smith- Her dedication to skill and physical fitness gave every younger player a
great role model.
As great as she was, she was always a team player. Holly
Miller- She was my “big sister” and helped me get through the adjustment of
playing a
varsity sport.
SFH.com: What were your strongest recollections of having Keli Smith as a teammate?
SL: Her clinch goals in Line Mountain games, Middleburg games, and other playoff games- well, actually it was her smile and celebration after those goals. In difficult games she always had her heart in the game, and she always would remind us (the younger players) that she needed us too. Practicing against her in almost every scrimmage also made me a MUCH better player.
SFH.com: Was there a particular game or practice that was especially significant?
SL: If I had to pick only one, I would have to say it was the Championship game of the Middleburg Tournament my senior year. We had such a close team and we had so much fun the entire day. As a senior it was so exciting to lead a team that I know supported me and wanted it as bad as I did.
SFH.com: What advice would you give to a freshman player who aspires to be a successful player?
SL: Technically speaking- stay low, keep your stick down, practice, practice, practice, and be in shape! Mentally, have confidence in yourself and your team and have fun.
SFH.com: Any funny hockey stories to tell?
SL: There really isn’t any one particular story that sticks out in my mind. We had fun every day we played.
SFH.com: Do you remember any special team accomplishments?
SL: Winning the Middleburg Tourney my senior year.Coming back to beat Benton after they scored during a time-out (we were not aware that the game was restarting and they were already set up on the field).Being featured on the local high school sports show (Fox, I think).
SFH.com:
Where
is your hockey stick? When is the last time that you used it?
SFH.com: What is your current job. Spare no details. Enquiring minds want to know.
SL: Biochemist at GlaxoSmithKline- I test material being used to make biopharmaceuticals and also test the biopharmaceutical drug for purity and concentration. In particular, I am focused on running gels, such as SDS-PAGE gels and IEF gels. An SDS-PAGE gel separates a substance by protein size over a gel gradient. An IEF gel separates a substance by pH (different parts of a protein can have different pHs when chemically separated). I am working on becoming the “expert” of our department in Gels.
SFH.com: After your career as a Seals field hockey player ended, what lessons did you carry off the field with you?
SL: One lesson I learned is how important your team is on and off the field. I also learned how to handle pressure and stress better. Another lesson I learned was how much I loved the sport and how dedicated I was to it. I also found out how to leave some things on the field.
SFH.com: You were part of a program that has a great tradition. Coach Keiser has been a huge contributor, if not progenitor, of that tradition. While she might quickly divert any credit to great assistant coaches, great players, and supportive parents, what makes Coach Keiser so special?
SL: Coach Keiser has so many qualities that make her a great coach. She has so much knowledge of the game and is dedicated to her team. She sees potential and makes you want to be the best player that you can be. Her encouragement never ended when the high school season did- she encouraged us to excel through indoor, Keystones, Futures, tournaments, and into college. Coach Keiser eats, sleeps, and breaths field hockey- it is in her blood, sweat, and tears- and when you play for someone special like that, you become special too.