Watertown High School Junior Jonna Kennedy recently made the Under 17 National Team. Here she plays for her club team, Boston Field Hockey Club.
Jonna Kennedy’s play with the Watertown High School field hockey team has drawn national interest, and the junior goalie recently learned she was named to the United States’ Under 17 National Squad.
The year was already a successful one for Kennedy, who helped guide the Raiders to their eighth straight state title as one of the team’s co-captains. She was on the way home from the team’s tryouts in Pennsylvania when she got the news.
“I was first very excited to be invited to try out for the team but more excited when I heard that I made the U17 National Squad,” Kennedy said. “I’m just vey fortunate to have been coached well at WHS and on my club team, Boston Field Hockey Club.”
Kennedy, who has verbally committed to play at Boston College, looks forward to the chance to play with the nation’s best on the U17 team.
“I am really excited to be playing with the best girls in the country,” Kennedy said. “I will definitely learn a lot of new goalie skills while training.”
Watertown field hockey has been a family affair for Kennedy. Her fellow co-captain this year was older sister Kourtney, who will play at UConn next year.
“It was amazing winning the State Championship as a captain with Kourtney,” she said. “She is a great role model and I have learned a lot from Kourtney.”
Charlie Breitrose
Sisters junior Jonna Kennedy, left, and senior Kourtney Kennedy raise the State Championship trophy.
The pair also played with their younger sister Ally, this year, as well as their cousin, Maddie Leitner.
Just because field hockey season is over does not mean Kennedy’s athletic activities are done at WHS. She also plays goalie on the school’s girls’ ice hockey and lacrosse teams.
“I played more ice hockey growing up and I have been able to take some of the skills from ice hockey onto the field hockey field,” Kennedy said. “I am still learning new skills on the field hockey field and I am excited to continue learning.”
While the WHS ice hockey team has not enjoyed the same success as the field hockey team, Kennedy said the team is improving with every game.