Kyle Dobrie, Tommy Doe, Parker Dube, and Nathalie Antigua contributed to this article.
New England College winter athletes that participated in men’s hockey, women’s hockey, wrestling, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball reflected on their team sport and their experience at NEC.
Womens basketball captain Juliana Hernandez reflected on her team’s strong bond.
“This basketball team means family/sisterhood. I enjoy being around my team and love every single one of them. Whenever we are together, we are stronger and you can feel the care we have for each other,” Hernandez said. “Win or lose, we stay together through it all and work together through it all. This team is always empowering each other and sticking up for each other. It is a sisterhood I will cherish forever.”
basketball game. Photo provided by Alexis Call.
Mens basketball senior Treyjon Lewis reflected on how basketball will help him for the next chapter of his life.
“Taking opportunity of the opportunities that I have been given. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned from [coach], I can also bring the teammates that I have met and how they can become lifetime friends,” Lewis said.
Chris Ludwick, a senior on the wrestling team, explained what the team has meant to him throughout his years at NEC.
“The team has meant everything to me. Going through COVID, losing our coaches and possibly the program. It’s taken time but the culture is changing, and we are closer now than we ever were in my four years,” Ludwick said. “We never gave up on our journey even when everything seems to be falling apart.”
Men’s hockey senior captain Zach Nelson explained how what he learned while playing hockey will help him in the next chapter of his life.
“My time at NEC and with the NEC hockey team in particular has taught me how to be relentless in the face of adversity,” Nelson said. “It has taught me that the outcome of a team is more important than the personal success and I will carry these lessons with me as I move into the next chapter of my life.”
Women’s hockey senior captain AK Fuentes said she’ll never forget the progress made by the team during her time at NEC.
“There has been so much development of the program of the women’s hockey program since my freshman year,” Fuentes explained. “We have come a long way and are competing in every game we are in, no matter who we are playing.”
Alpine ski senior Colin Shaw shared what he would tell young students coming into NEC.
“Definitely don’t try to do so much. I came into college playing baseball and skiing because I was interested in both and that’s caused me so many injuries which ultimately kept me off the mountain,” said Shaw.
The women’s basketball team tips off Tuesday in Winthrop, MA to determine whether they continue on in the GNAC Tournament.
