Most sixth graders do not even know what they want to eat for lunch that day; however, senior Caileen Quinn knew from the time she could walk that she wanted to play field hockey for as long as possible, and she was willing to do whatever it takes to make that dream happen. In fact, before Quinn was even old enough to play on the field, she was a part of the Porker team as their mascot.

After four years of playing for the Walpole Porkers, Quinn made her lifelong dream of playing at college come true. On Nov. 15, Quinn signed her National Letter of Intent to continue playing Division I field hockey at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania.

“The summer going into my junior year was when I realized that [Saint Francis] was the school I wanted to go to,” Quinn said. “It was one of the last schools I visited.”

Quinn began playing field hockey in third grade. Since her mother Jen coached in Walpole’s program, Quinn has been involved with the sport since kindergarten, whether it was being a ball girl or the team mascot.

“Somewhere in middle school, Caileen’s field hockey career really started to develop through playing club, attending national showcases and playing for the Walpole youth program," Jen Quinn said. "This is when her love for the game really started to grow. It’s very easy to do something you love."

Although her mother was a major factor in her field hockey career, she was not the only one who saw Quinn’s potential. Quinn’s club coaches also encouraged her passion for the sport.

“My club coach, Leslie Jones, taught me to be the player I am both on and off the field,” Quinn said. “She was always encouraging no matter what happened in the game.”

“Somewhere in middle school, Caileen’s field hockey career really started to develop through playing club, attending national showcases and playing for the Walpole youth program," Jen Quinn said. "This is when her love for the game really started to grow. It’s very easy to do something you love."

Quinn understands high school level field hockey and college level field hockey are very different. College field hockey players are much more committed to the sport; therefore, they tend to play at a more intense level, but Caileen is up for the challenge. Despite the difference in intensity, she also noticed several similarities in the various levels.

“They have the same feel that we, the Porkers, had with a sisterhood among the girls,” Quinn said. “I got that vibe since the time I met my new teammates that they were all together.”

In addition to winning the 2017 Bay State League All Star, her favorite memory as a Porker was when the team won the state championship her sophomore year. In the fall of 2016, the Walpole Porkers took home the Division I state title, defeating Longmeadow 3-2 in overtime.

“It was a big moment in my life, and it was a great accomplishment, especially only being a sophomore on the team,” Quinn said.

Quinn was a key center defender for the Walpole Porkers. Being a captain, she helped lead the team to a 20-2 record this year. Quinn was proud of the way she and her team played this season, and she hopes to carry this momentum into her future at Saint Francis University.

"I’m really excited for Caileen to be able to continue her field hockey career into college. Saint Francis is an all-around perfect fit for her: athletics, academics and community," Jen Quinn said.