UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- An emotional weekend awaits the Penn State women's ice hockey program.
The games Friday and Saturday against Mercyhurst will be the last two games the trio of seniors will play at Pegula Ice Arena. It is also THON weekend, an annual 46-hour dance marathon that raises money for the fight against pediatric cancer.
Defenseman Kelsey Crow, forward Meike Meilleur, and redshirt senior Christi Vetter reflected on their time at Penn State and their experiences playing hockey here.
With only three seniors, one of which is a redshirt senior, this is a relatively small senior class, compared to next year's senior group, which will include seven girls.
The trio have been putting in time, hard work and effort in their years, and have helped improve the culture and talent level of this program.
Captain Crow
Although Kelsey Crow is not one to get emotional, she has taken her role as captain very seriously and hopes to see this program continue to succeed.
Head coach Jeff Kampersal joked that it took forever for Crow to introduce herself when he started here two years ago, but he has nothing but praise for the captain of his team.
"She's had a phenomenal career. She's quintessential-hopefully the standard for women's ice hockey at Penn State in terms of being a player. The preparation that she put into it, and then the fact that she's a great student going off to medical school. She pretty much crushed her whole Penn State experience," Kampersal said.
As for Crow's growth throughout her career here and as a captain her senior year, she feels she has learned a lot through the process.
"I've definitely grown more aware of my strengths and flaws and trying to develop more skills that can help me be a better leader, and then be a better person and be a better teammate. Whether that's things that will help me now or in the future, just that awareness and developing those skills," Crow said.
For the future of the program, she is confident the younger girls will step up and maintain the strong culture the team has worked so hard to establish.
Crow will head off to medical school at the University of Minnesota, following her graduation from Penn State.
Vetter Says Final Goodbye
The team's other senior Minnesota native, Christi Vetter, will play her final games at Pegula as a redshirt senior, making the feeling that this is really the end of her collegiate career become a reality.
The topic got emotional as Vetter talked about what she will miss the most.
"I think it's going to be having that experience with my teammates. I've been playing almost 20 years… and out of that entire team, this team has been amazing. It's been an experience that I'll look back on and be like wow, I've been with some incredible women. I've had some great staff here," Vetter said. "I'm going to miss having that everyday connection with (the players)."
Reflecting on what this weekend means to her, Vetter noted the special part of playing on the hockey team here at Penn State.
"It's your last time on the ice here. You can come and do open skate, or you can hang out with the girls, but it's not the same," she said.
When it comes to giving advice to the incoming senior class, Vetter wants to see the players succeed here at Penn State.
"Take advantage of every opportunity given to you here. We're a Division I school and we're a very blessed Division I school. I have some friends at other schools and they don't have the resources we have here," Vetter said. "They really take care of the student-athletes. They want you to be successful academically. They want you to be able to feel confident in a job in the future or in another sporting event that you may go pro or something else."
"And get to know your professors," Vetter said, embodying the true meaning of being a student-athlete here at Penn State.
Kampersal values what Vetter brings to the table every day.
"She's a heart and soul player. Always willing to sacrifice her body to block shots, and do little things to help us win. She also has crushed the academic side," Kampersal said.
Vetter will attend John's Hopkins nursing school following her graduation from Penn State.
Meilleur Fufills Dream
Playing ice hockey at Penn State has been a dream come true for Winnipeg native, Meike Meilleur.
"I'm feeling mixed emotions…I think I'm excited but obviously super sad to think it's my last games at Pegula. Pegula's been such a dream, I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else. So thinking it'll be my last couple games is pretty heartbreaking, but I am looking forward to finishing strong and being with my teammates while I do it," Meilleur said.
Kampersal has appreciated having a caring player like Meilleur.
"She's behind the scenes, taking care of a range of things, like players asking advice, some organizational team things. But in terms of the way that she plays, she's a very coachable player."
Meilleur will be shadowing a child life specialist in Winnipeg this summer, a career she hopes to make her full-time job.
While the seniors are sharing their final moments of game action on the ice, a big weekend of Penn State pride is happening around them at THON.
THON Weekend
The Penn State Dance Marathon will take place across the street from Pegula, at the Bryce Jordan Center. Athletic teams that are home for the weekend get the opportunity to perform during the Saturday pep rally, a fan favorite.
This team has been working hard to come up with a good dance to try and win the pep rally contest.
"I've done it twice already, and it's like such an incredible experience, and I think my parents are going to come watch us dance, so that's pretty cool," Meilleur said.
Vetter is excited to show support for the families affected by childhood cancer.
"As a team, we don't want to just be 'check in, check out,' we want to be there, making sure that they have everything that they need, and support them the best we can. So I'm excited," Vetter said.
On a lighter note, Crow is just hoping she doesn't mess up the dance.
"I like (THON). I'm not much of a dancer though, so you'll probably see me mess up in it. And I'm in the front which is the worst part. I probably will not even smile the whole time because I'll be focusing on not messing up," Crow said.
The Nittany Lions will host the last postgame skate of the season following Saturday's game which is starting at 3:00 p.m.
