Stevens, a Grade 12 student at Central Kings, qualified for the NSSAF track and field provincials June 5-6 in Wolfville in the 100, 800 and 1,500 metres, but was unable to attend the meet. The girls’ rugby provincials were the same weekend, and Stevens, who played both sports this year, made the decision to be with her team.
“This is the first-ever D-2 girls’ rugby provincials,” she said. “It’s the last time I’ll be able to play rugby for my school, and I wanted to be part of it, and to hopefully help our team win.”
Stevens knew when she went out for track this year she might not be able to attend provincials.
“There’s not usually as much of a conflict, but rugby got pushed back this year because of the weather,” she said.
The pull of track was too strong to ignore.
“I wanted to experience track in my Grade 12 year. I like to represent my school as much as I can,” she said. “It’s nice to know I was able to qualify for provincials in track, even though I won’t be there.”
Stevens is a repeat customer at the track provincials – she’s attended every other year.
“I was disappointed to have to choose,” she said.
Multi-sport athlete
A Lakeville resident since age two, Stevens, who turns 18 this month, says she sees herself as a multi-sport athlete.
“I’ve had the luxury of playing, and experiencing, a variety of sports. This year, I did school soccer, hockey, rugby and track,” she said.
Soccer, however, is her main sport.
“(It’s) the sport I’ve played the longest, both indoors and outdoors. There’s probably a month out of the year when I’m not playing.”
Soccer is also the sport that will take her to Acadia starting this fall.
“I had some interest in UNB, where my brothers went, but when it came down to it, Acadia had more to offer,” she said. “A lot of CK soccer players end up at Acadia.”
Axewomen head coach Amit Batra, she added, “has been really supportive and welcoming. That’s a big reason why I chose Acadia.”
‘Adrenaline rush’
Stevens loves playing soccer, and also loves to run, but rugby has a lot of appeal as well.
“Rugby is awesome, a great sport. I love the thrill, and the adrenalin rush.”
She thought about maybe playing rugby at university – or at least trying out – “but the seasons overlap, and I think soccer is a better fit for me. I’ve put a lot of time into soccer over the years, and I’m really happy with my decision.”
When she was in middle school, Stevens also ran cross-country.
“The Acadia cross-country coach contacted me, but I have the same problem – the seasons overlap.”
Asked if she would consider running track at Acadia, Stevens said she might be interested.
“I‘ll have to see how my year goes. School work and soccer will keep me pretty busy, but it might be nice to do some running to stay in shape for soccer.”
In addition to school soccer, Stevens has played the past several years with the Valley United Tier 1 soccer teams. She will play for the senior women’s team this summer.
“The U-18 girls’ team folded because there weren’t enough girls to play. Three or four of us have moved up,” she said. “By the time you get to Grade 12, there’s a lot to do with your time.”
Looking ahead
Stevens said she is very excited about university, and especially attending Acadia. “I’ll be living in residence. I’ll have the luxury of being able to go home because it’s close, but I’ll have my independence, too,” she said.
“I loved my four years of high school, but I’m ready to move on to another chapter in my life, and to new experiences.”
She is also looking forward to the community service part of being an Acadia student-athlete.
“It gives you a chance to be involved, which is something I enjoy.”
During her high school years, she helped out at different school functions and at soccer camps. She was also involved in school life, including student council, where she served as student Prime Minister in her Grade 12 year.
“It definitely keeps a person busy,” she said, “but I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Stevens, a Grade 12 student at Central Kings, qualified for the NSSAF track and field provincials June 5-6 in Wolfville in the 100, 800 and 1,500 metres, but was unable to attend the meet. The girls’ rugby provincials were the same weekend, and Stevens, who played both sports this year, made the decision to be with her team.
“This is the first-ever D-2 girls’ rugby provincials,” she said. “It’s the last time I’ll be able to play rugby for my school, and I wanted to be part of it, and to hopefully help our team win.”
Stevens knew when she went out for track this year she might not be able to attend provincials.
“There’s not usually as much of a conflict, but rugby got pushed back this year because of the weather,” she said.
The pull of track was too strong to ignore.
“I wanted to experience track in my Grade 12 year. I like to represent my school as much as I can,” she said. “It’s nice to know I was able to qualify for provincials in track, even though I won’t be there.”
Stevens is a repeat customer at the track provincials – she’s attended every other year.
“I was disappointed to have to choose,” she said.
Multi-sport athlete
A Lakeville resident since age two, Stevens, who turns 18 this month, says she sees herself as a multi-sport athlete.
“I’ve had the luxury of playing, and experiencing, a variety of sports. This year, I did school soccer, hockey, rugby and track,” she said.
Soccer, however, is her main sport.
“(It’s) the sport I’ve played the longest, both indoors and outdoors. There’s probably a month out of the year when I’m not playing.”
Soccer is also the sport that will take her to Acadia starting this fall.
“I had some interest in UNB, where my brothers went, but when it came down to it, Acadia had more to offer,” she said. “A lot of CK soccer players end up at Acadia.”
Axewomen head coach Amit Batra, she added, “has been really supportive and welcoming. That’s a big reason why I chose Acadia.”
‘Adrenaline rush’
Stevens loves playing soccer, and also loves to run, but rugby has a lot of appeal as well.
“Rugby is awesome, a great sport. I love the thrill, and the adrenalin rush.”
She thought about maybe playing rugby at university – or at least trying out – “but the seasons overlap, and I think soccer is a better fit for me. I’ve put a lot of time into soccer over the years, and I’m really happy with my decision.”
When she was in middle school, Stevens also ran cross-country.
“The Acadia cross-country coach contacted me, but I have the same problem – the seasons overlap.”
Asked if she would consider running track at Acadia, Stevens said she might be interested.
“I‘ll have to see how my year goes. School work and soccer will keep me pretty busy, but it might be nice to do some running to stay in shape for soccer.”
In addition to school soccer, Stevens has played the past several years with the Valley United Tier 1 soccer teams. She will play for the senior women’s team this summer.
“The U-18 girls’ team folded because there weren’t enough girls to play. Three or four of us have moved up,” she said. “By the time you get to Grade 12, there’s a lot to do with your time.”
Looking ahead
Stevens said she is very excited about university, and especially attending Acadia. “I’ll be living in residence. I’ll have the luxury of being able to go home because it’s close, but I’ll have my independence, too,” she said.
“I loved my four years of high school, but I’m ready to move on to another chapter in my life, and to new experiences.”
She is also looking forward to the community service part of being an Acadia student-athlete.
“It gives you a chance to be involved, which is something I enjoy.”
During her high school years, she helped out at different school functions and at soccer camps. She was also involved in school life, including student council, where she served as student Prime Minister in her Grade 12 year.
“It definitely keeps a person busy,” she said, “but I’ve really enjoyed it.”
