While the spring athletics season is underway here on campus, an unprecedented number of Cushing Penguins are competing this weekend against the top club teams across the country during the 2019 USA Hockey National Championships. Of the current members of Cushing’s Varsity Girls’ Hockey team, eight of those players are back on the ice through Monday in a battle for top honors.

But the numbers don’t end there. Four newly accepted students and future hockey teammates bring that number to 12, making Cushing's representation one of the largest among the nation’s prep schools.

“This is the largest gathering of high level youth girls’ hockey players in the United States and it is extremely difficult to achieve this level of play. It’s a life-changing experience,”

said Coach Valerie Bono ’97 who is a three-time National Champion with the Chelmsford Lions including back-to-back wins in 1993 and 1994. “Not only is this a testament to the level of hockey players at Cushing, but it comes at a time when the tremendous growth, reputation, and opportunities for women in hockey have set the stage and broadened the dreams for younger players exponentially.”

Current Cushing Contenders:

East Coast Wizards U19-2 - Tier II (Competing in Amherst, NY)

Sarah Potter ’20

Maddie Biondi ’20

East Coast Wizards U16-2 - Tier II (Competing in Amherst, NY)

Sajel Desai ’21

North Shore Vipers U14-1 Tier I (Competing in Irvine, California)

Lily Brazis ’22

Lilley Tague-Bleau ‘22

Ava Doyle ’22

Mia Langlois ’22

Shea Frost ’22

(This group of Vipers is back for their 2nd time in 2 years. Looking to go back to back at Nationals!)