We are Inspired: A Look at Women's History

While February is the shortest month of the calendar year, many significant events are celebrated within its days. This year the Chinese Lunar New Year has landed in February while the entire month is focused on celebrating Black History Month; celebrating Black achievement and giving visibility to the people and organizations creating change. For those who love and support one of America's most popular sports, the Super Bowl takes place in February along with National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The month of February wraps up the winter sports season and brings in the Spring. March sees the infamous March Madness Tournament and all the iconic memories that have come from that, but even more vital is March is Women’s History Month, which is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history. This pivotal month actually just started as an annual weekly celebration, but with the continued support and recognition of the importance of Women in Society, the Week quickly grew to encompass the entire month.

NCAA Division I basketball is home to many blueblood programs. Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina on the men's side of the game generate a lot of money and eyeballs to TV Screens each year, but the same goes for many notable programs on the women's side of the game. LSU and Iowa have emerged as the top-tier programs in recent years while perennial powerhouses UConn, Tennessee, and South Carolina are not to be left behind with the rise of this generation's stars such Caitlin Clarke and Angel Reese. These women, along with decades of female talent ranging from the likes of Billie Jean King (Former Women’s Tennis World #1 with 39 Grand Slam Title and Women’s Equal Pay and Rights Trailblazer), Cammi Granato (US Women’s Ice Hockey Gold Medalist and Assistant General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks), Mia Hamm (Two-time Women’s Soccer Olympic and FIFA World Cup Gold Medalist), Rebecca Lobo (Women’s Basketball NCAA National Champion and Basketball Hall of Famer), Serena Williams (23- Grand Slam Winning Tennis Player and Former World #1), Jennie Finch (Olympic Softball Gold Medal Winner and Softball College World Series Winner) and Lindsey Vonn (Four-time World Cup Champion in Alpine Skiing and Olympic Gold Medal winner in Downhill Skiing), just to name a few, have solidified the prominence of the women's athletics in our culture and for many, have made women’s athletics arguably more entertaining today, than many a men’s game. Just in the past few years women’s sports have broken broadcasting barriers with the most watched televised volleyball match, an NCAA career leading scorer in basketball, and professional primetime coverage of sports such as field hockey and women’s ice hockey, with more to follow, just to name a few of the most recent glass ceilings to shatter. 

While Worcester State may not be a Division I program, the continued success of the Women’s athletes, can not and should not be overlooked. Two women who would cosign that last statement are senior Anya Laxton and junior Jordan Geloso. These two Worcester State Athletes are highly passionate about seeing more exposure for women in sports and promoting the continued success of female athletes. They are passionate about the stories and narratives that can come out of higher female participation in athletics.

Anya Laxton:

What made you get involved in hockey?

• My dad is a major influence and inspiration to my hockey career. My dad got me involved in hockey at a very young age and relentlessly did the best for me, encouraged me, and shaped me into the woman and player I am today. My mom and dad went out of their way for me growing up and playing ice hockey, and I'm forever grateful. They constantly took me to the women's Olympic games and encouraged women's sports all while working full-time positions. They are the true definition of hard workers and hustlers and a big influence on why I’m playing collegiate ice hockey and hope to be as “go-getting” and dedicated in everything they do. I reflect their hard work and dedication on the ice and every time I step foot onto a fresh sheet, it reminds me every day to work harder and harder and continue to make them proud. 

Would you say that having a twin sister who also played hockey gave you some added support? 

• Having a twin sister who played ice hockey with me definitely added a lot of support. It was some of the best years of my life playing with her up until my freshman year of college when we decided to take different paths in life. Playing college hockey “solo” for the first time without her was hard and definitely eye-opening, but shaped me into the person I am today. I believe that being “on my own” for the first time really helped me find myself as an individual and a player, and aided in my successes today. While I'm forever grateful for her support, I'm glad I found myself and am able to still play the sport I deeply love. 

What’s one difference between the men's game to the women's game that most people might not notice? 

• One difference between the men's and women's games people may not notice is how truly similar they are becoming. As of our 2022 season, the NCAA allowed the “incidental contact” rule which now allows female players to make contact while playing the body. While we are still not able to “check” this definitely made the game faster and much more physical. I feel as if the men's game is currently swaying more towards skills, and speed and less of the “old fashioned” hockey where “goons” and “big hitters” were more prevalent. Making the men's game more based on skills and speed, like the women's. Also, the men's and women's games are more similar in play style than they have ever been before. I hope the expansion of women's sports continues to grow and succeed. 

Do you believe that hockey as a sport can do more to be more open to the promotion of women's Hockey leagues? 

• I most definitely think there should be more promotion of the women's hockey league. While I am extremely grateful for the PWHL, and making a professional women's ice hockey league in August of 2023. I hope the league continues to expand and grow and more promotion continues, as it's definitely working with the increasing number of fans coming to the games. It's a true inspiration to watch women play professionally, as well as extremely influential to younger players which will ultimately grow the league more and more, and I'm beyond excited to continue to watch the league grow and prosper.

Lastly, what four female athletes are on your Mount Rushmore when it comes to female athletes? 

• The four female athletes I would have on Mount Rushmore are Serena Williams, Hilary Knight, Kelli Stack, and Simon Biles. Serena Williams was a huge inspiration to me as a child. I would watch her matches and professionalism on and off the court and how she held herself so well in any situation, which attributes to her 14 grand slams, and three gold medals. Hillary Knight is truly a public figure for women's ice hockey, she's professional, smart and an overall icon in women's hockey. Kelli Stack at the Lake Placid arena in 2013 on the team's hardship loss to Canada, was a true standout player to me. At the game, I truly waited and was excited for every shift she was out for, she was quick, speedy, and smart with the puck and overall one of the best female hockey players I've been able to watch in person. Finally Simon Biles, is the definition of dedication and a true icon in women's sports as a whole. Biles is truly such an amazing athlete they band moves/tricks she created because it gave her an “unfair advantage” because of how truly skilled and athletically ahead she is above the rest. All of the four women above and off the court/ice/floor are professional, educated, intelligent and inspiring to women and women's athletes globally. 

Jordan Geloso:

When did you decide you wanted to play softball in college and how would you describe your experience so far? 

• I knew I wanted to play softball in college as soon as I hit competitive travel ball in high school. The competition got tougher, and my teammates pushed me to be a better catcher. I realized I didn’t want to stop playing at the end of high school. So far my experience these past two seasons has been amazing playing ball. Not only playing, but I wouldn’t have wanted to play college softball with any other group of girls. We all push each other to be the best versions of ourselves on and off the field, and it makes us closer as a team. 

If a mother came up to you and said her daughter wanted to play softball what pieces of advice would you give the mom?

• If a mother came up to me and told her daughter wanted to play softball I would encourage her to start playing! I would tell her I played recreational softball since I was 10, but I did not start playing travel till I was 12 which is a little on the later side. At first it may not be easy, but the sooner she starts the better! Finding a summer ball team that you can stick with and grow with for years down the line is so important.

What is a unique pregame ritual you do before games?

• I am a really high energy person before games, so whether the game is home or away I have a pregame hype playlist I listen to in the locker room, or the bus ride to our games. The first inning of every game I catch I dig out behind the plate where I am going to squat, so I know I am going to have a good game. I do the same thing, and kick away their dirt after the other team's catchers have caught an inning. 

What is one of your favorite aspects of softball?

• Like many other sports my favorite aspect of softball is that it is a team sport. Everyone needs to work together to push runs across the board. If we strand runners with one out it does not matter. There are still two more outs and more opportunities to pick up the last teammate who got out. Short memory is key in any softball because there's always another play. On the other hand It only takes one player to change the mood of a game to pull the whole team together. 

If you could have one quality from one of your teammates which teammate would it be and why?

• If I could have one quality from one of my teammates it would probably be speed. We have a couple girls on the team that are insanely fast. I am definitely not the slowest, but it would be so cool to be the fastest. 

Lastly, what is something you want to see home fans do this year when watching you and your teammates play this Spring?

• The fans and family from home are very supportive, and passionate for our team. Their support plays a big part in why our team has been so successful, and all I ask is that they keep it up! Feeling their support is very comforting, and will always hype us up. I am so grateful for my friends and family that come to support and watch Worcester State softball. 

Worcester State has had numerous successful women’s programs and athletes over the years and we look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of not only our teams, but women’s athletics across the spectrum. We commend, support and congratulate all our women student-athletes, past, present and future.