When Haley Downs, senior, stepped out onto the field for her first field hockey practice of the season, something felt different. Haley’s sister, Maddie, a freshman, was on the field with her, her first ever MHS practice.
“It’s really cool because we’re kind of inseparable,” Haley said. “We have a really close bond in general so it’s super cool to see her there.”
Haley said working with the natural chemistry she and her sister share has made playing field hockey easier.
“Playing on the field together, we have good chemistry,” Haley said. “It’s easier to communicate on the field and pass and receive and do all the different things we do.”
Maddie had a much different account of that first practice.
“I kind of just followed her around,” Maddie said. “She kind of told me what to do more than the coach did.”
Maddie said Haley’s presence on the team as a leader has helped her grow as an athlete and teammate.
“It makes it more comfortable for me to play and be part of the team,” Maddie said. “I always have someone to talk to and she’s not afraid to give me good advice sometimes.”
Every year at MHS, freshmen enter their desired sports and activities. For some with older siblings, the process towards success and friendship is expedited.
Jake Rapp, senior, said his mood and that of the hockey team has been shaped by having his brother, Justin, on the team.
“If we get on the same line together, a lot of times we have better chemistry because we’ve grown up together,” Jake said. “So it’s easier for me to find him on the ice and know where he’s gonna be than anyone else on the team.”
The two have been playing hockey together since Jake can remember. At Marquette, that’s helped their on ice product.
“We spent a lot of time together growing up,” Jake said. “And at practices, we’re always screwing around.”
Jake said his presence on the team can only serve to motivate his younger brother.
“I’m a senior and a captain so I have to push all my teammates,” Jake said. “I push him a lot more, especially at home so he can get more time on the ice.
When he sees me playing and scoring goals, he wants to live up to me and try and do better than I can.”
Justin echoed his brother’s sentiments. He said playing on the Marquette team has given him a rare opportunity to take the ice with his brother competitively.
“It’s really cool because he’s so much older than me,” Justin said. “We don’t usually get to play together. It motivates me a lot because I want to be able to keep up with him and play with him.”
Justin said Jake has acquainted him with his teammates and supported his play.
“He helps me to know everyone and know how high school hockey works,” Justin said.