Adamo Di Carlo ‘24 | Jonathan Logan ‘24
Photo courtesy of Ashley Kennedy ‘22
Macy Szukics ‘22, a strong leader and Division I commit to Duke University is December’s Athlete of the Month. Throughout her high school career, Szukics has developed her skills and become a dominant force within Inter-Ac field hockey. In the opinions of her coaches and teammates, she has been a vital asset to the team and has contributed to their high-level performance, including helping the team capture the 2019 State Championship .
Szukics joined the varsity field hockey team her freshman year and has played a key role on the team ever since. Szukics, who committed to Duke University, has been a leader both on and off the field according to her teammates. Captain Kelly Smith ‘21 describes Szukics as “hardworking, and [she] always gives 100% during practices and games.” Smith adds that she “encourages everyone around her to work harder too.”
Szukics favorite memory from her four years on the team is winning the PAISAA Championship as a freshman. The outcome of the game was determined by a shootout with Germantown Academy. Szukics described it as “an intense and insane environment. It was crazy to win something that big for the first time, especially as a freshman.” Her devotion to the sport has only intensified since then. She also plays on the U16 Nationals Team and was named Inter-Ac All League First Team.
Stefanie Fee, Coach for the EA Girl’s Varsity Field Hockey Team, describes Szukics as a force to be reckoned with. Fee shares, “Macy’s technical skills and tactical awareness on the field greatly impacted the success of EA field hockey on both the attacking and defensive ends.” However, Fee expresses that despite Szukics’s incredible skill, “she is always looking for ways to improve. According to teammates, not only is Szukics a stellar athlete, but also a selfless and focused team player. They describe her as possessing uncanny athletic abilities and a strong morale.”
Teammate Olivia Corrato ‘22 says of Szukics, “Macy is the kind of player that will help anyone when they need something. She is always willing to give people advice and has definitely helped me. She is one of the most selfless people on the team and you can tell [that by] her style of play.” Corrato explains Szukics positive influence on the team, “Macy is not only a phenomenal player, but you can see her passion and love for the sport at each practice and game. Her energy is always so contagious and makes others around her happy.” Corrato also mentions her skills as a playmaker, saying, “She knows exactly when to pass the ball and exactly when to carry it”. Szukics is an important leader off the field as well. Caleigh Dinsmore ‘22 says that as a new student, “Macy was supportive and went out of her way to make me feel included with other girls,” and that “Macy was a great person to ask about anything regarding field hockey.”