Athlete of the Issue: Keira Austen

Deer!eld cheerleader, tri-varsity athlete, and an incoming student-athlete for the Brown University hockey team Keira Austen ’26 joined Deer!eld as a freshman. She had primarily hoped to play for the Girls’ Varsity Hockey team, but also participated and made the team for both the Girls’ Varsity Soccer and the Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse. Soccer was one of Austen’s !rst sports, as she o$en played with her sister, Olivia Austen ’27, in their backyard. Both of Austen’s parents played Division I Soccer and this further in&uenced her to begin her athletic journey with the sport at a young age. Some of Austen’s favorite Deer- !eld memories come from the soccer team. She recalled the soccer pre-season trip in Spain this summer, where the team bonded over long bus rides, watching pro soccer games, and singing in Pace’s bodega. In addition, during Austen's sophomore year, the soccer team beat Choate Rosemary Hall 2-1 during Choate Day, despite a large disadvantage in rankings. Austen emphasized that this was “genuinely the best feeling ever.” Austen recalled how one of her happiest seasons throughout her time at Deer!eld was her freshman year soccer season, as there was less pressure on her. She felt that each year came with “more and more pressure.” "e progressing responsibility eventually led Austen to becomecaptain of the soccer team her senior year. Despite the added responsibility of captainship, she said she still enjoys playing soccer as the increased pressure makes “it[playing soccer] way more fun.” On and o# the !eld, Austen works with the co-captains to care for and cultivate a healthy team culture. “[Austen] is such a great teammate and I think our leadership styles worked well together … On the !eld, she has such a strong presence and I think the rest of our team, speci!cally underclassmen, really looked up to her,” said co-captain Eleanor DuPont ’26. DuPont added that when Austen was injured, “I got to experience how she cheered on her teammates and continued to bring the energy even as a captain on the bench.” On another note, Austen started lacrosse in seventh grade because the sport was popular in her town. She was able to carry this interest to Deer!eld. As a freshman Austen played defense on the Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team. Austen said that lacrosse is her newest commitment, yet she still enjoys playing on the team. She describes playing lacrosse as a “zero stress kinda sport” where she can relax and have fun with her teammates. Speci!cally, Austen mentioned that on the pre-season lacrosse trip, the team would go to the “shark attack capital of the world, New Smyrna Beach” each year. “["e trip was] one of the most fun things all year,” she said. Despite her love for soccer and lacrosse, Austen considers hockey to be her favorite sport because it is deemed one of the “cooler” sports. Austen mentions that when she was younger, she !gure skated and a$er, she would see the “big girls” playing hockey. From then on she decided she wanted to play hockey. Austen recieved her commitment letter to play Division I Hockey for Brown University during her sophomore year. Expressing gratitude, she said that she “couldn’t have gotten that o#er without my teammates on Mid Fair!eld and Deer!eld and my sister, Olivia.” Austen noted that she’s excited to spend another 3 years with her sister, who also committed to Brown University a$er Deer!eld. Assistant Coach of Girls Varsity Hockey Toby Emerson described Austen in three words: “nasty, skilled, and strong.” Mr. Emerson also noted that Austen learned throughout her years on the team to be “less hard on herself,” which Mr. Emerson believes is an important skill for a defensive hockey player like herself. Emerson also o#ered that obtaining a positive mindset is a skill that Austen has continued to work on throughout her hockey career that will carry into other sports. Despite still being a little tough on herself, Mr. Emerson explained that Austen always makes sure her teammates feel supported. Mr. Emerson noted that a$er making a mistake, no matter the challenge, Austen's next thought is to bounce back by playing harder, all while continuing to stay positive. Mr. Emerson highlighted Austen’s knack for “hard work, grit and toughness,” showcasing the many facets of Austen as an athlete and person. Mr. Emerson remains con!dent that Austen will be able to carry these skills with her to Brown University in the future. Re&ecting on her journey through Deer!eld sports, Austen hopes to enjoy the last seasons of her senior year. “[I feel like I have] a family on each team … [and] just want to have the most fun with my teammates and try to savor every last moment of playing for Deer- !eld.” "ough she is sad to leave the family she has found in her hockey teammtes, Austen remains excited for her future in hockey beyond Deer!eld. "roughout her time at Deer- !eld, Austen, a tri-varsity athelete, described how she was truly able to !nd a true community in the rid#erent sports teams she played on. Austen explained how she began to view her teammates as family as each season passed and although she is sentimental about leaving, she anticipates her future at Brown University, especially with her sister by her side.