Seniors Kelly Darchuk and Laura Ruddy have been best friends since sixth grade when they met in math class. They are very close and do almost everything together, and though their friendship is unusual, it has never been stronger.

“Our friendship is really strange,” said Darchuk. “We get bored a lot so we do a lot of random stuff together. I don’t even know where we get most of our ideas.”

One thing the two girls share is athleticism. Darchuk and Ruddy each play three sports: both are members of the field hockey and softball teams, but during winter, Darchuk can be found on the soccer field while Ruddy hits the basketball court.

They both agree, however, that field hockey is their favorite.

“The girls on the team are the best,” said Ruddy. “We have really good team chemistry and field hockey is the most fun because you get to run around. Plus, it always helps when you are really good.”

This season, co-captains Darchuk and Ruddy led the girls to an 8-1-3 league record and second place finish in CCS. From the center forward position, Darchuk controlled the offense and was the team’s leading scorer while Ruddy anchored the defense. In three games during the championship tournament, the dominant duo combined for a goal and two assists, not to mention several other key plays that aren’t seen on the stat sheet.

Athlete of the Issue is not a prestigious award, but Ruddy said she still appreciates the recognition for her and Darchuk’s efforts.
“I think that is an honor,” said Ruddy. “It displays not just our hard work but the hard work of all of our teammates, too, because without them we never could have done as well as we did.”