Indiana University Athletics
Hempt, Janney Represent Hoosiers at Young Women’s National Championship
7/13/2016 1:07:00 PM | Field Hockey
Indiana’s captain and head coach worked with the best at Spooky Nook
MANHEIM, Pa. – The brightest futures in American collegiate field hockey converged last week at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex for the USA Field Hockey Young Women's National Championship. Representing the Indiana field hockey team on the turf was junior Elle Hempt, who started on the back line for Team USA White. On the sidelines, Indiana head coach Amanda Janney took the reigns of the Team USA Courage squad.
"USA Field Hockey provides this excellent opportunity for our college players to compete at this All-Star level, and I look forward to seeing more Hoosiers get involved next spring," Janney said after spending a week with field hockey's junior national team hopefuls. "Elle was our only player to make the High Performance tournament, and she excelled as Team USA White's center back."
Janney's squad, USA Courage, earned a third-place finish on the weekend with a 3-1 record. They triumphed 3-1 in their opening game, followed by a 4-2 win in the quarterfinals. Courage fell in the semifinals to the USA Under-21 National Team, who is currently training for the upcoming Junior World Cup this November in Chile. Courage rebounded with a 2-1 win in the bronze medal game.
Hempt joined the USA White team for a fifth-place finish, going 1-1-2 over their four game slate. They tied their first two games 1-1 and 2-2, respectively, before dropping their penultimate contest by one goal. White finished the weekend on a high note with a 4-3 win, taking the game in the overtime shootout.
"It was a great experience coaching at this level," said Janney after a week with some of the top young hockey players in the country. "I was able to train with the highest level coaches and players. I had a talented team with top college players from around the country and players headed to the National Team, and some who are already on the Under 19 National Team."
The tournament provides a unique experience for coaches and players in attendance. The biggest challenge, according to Janney, is to bring 17 players from different clubs and college teams and turn them into a cohesive unit, all in about five days. It's a challenge that Indiana's second-year head coach fully embraces, and it's why she's played a role in the Futures system throughout her coaching career.
Many players from these teams will take the valuable experience back to their respective collegiate teams for the upcoming fall season, but some will go beyond that. Others receive offers from the Under-19 National Team, extended offers to attend future National Team tryouts and camps, and even spots on Team USA's senior squad.
"I was fortunate to have a very talented group of athletes. I'm looking forward to seeing them continue to develop and compete for the next 2020 and 2024 Olympic teams," Janney said. "I had four Big Ten Conference players on my team, and it was great to see the strength of our conference presented at the High Performance level."
Janney and Hempt return to the Hoosiers for the start of the preseason on Tuesday, August 9. Indiana will begin with three-a-day practices on Wednesday, August 10. On Friday, August 19, the Hoosiers will play their annual Cream & Crimson Scrimmage in front of fans at the IU Field Hockey Complex. The scrimmage is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.
"USA Field Hockey provides this excellent opportunity for our college players to compete at this All-Star level, and I look forward to seeing more Hoosiers get involved next spring," Janney said after spending a week with field hockey's junior national team hopefuls. "Elle was our only player to make the High Performance tournament, and she excelled as Team USA White's center back."
Janney's squad, USA Courage, earned a third-place finish on the weekend with a 3-1 record. They triumphed 3-1 in their opening game, followed by a 4-2 win in the quarterfinals. Courage fell in the semifinals to the USA Under-21 National Team, who is currently training for the upcoming Junior World Cup this November in Chile. Courage rebounded with a 2-1 win in the bronze medal game.
Hempt joined the USA White team for a fifth-place finish, going 1-1-2 over their four game slate. They tied their first two games 1-1 and 2-2, respectively, before dropping their penultimate contest by one goal. White finished the weekend on a high note with a 4-3 win, taking the game in the overtime shootout.
"It was a great experience coaching at this level," said Janney after a week with some of the top young hockey players in the country. "I was able to train with the highest level coaches and players. I had a talented team with top college players from around the country and players headed to the National Team, and some who are already on the Under 19 National Team."
The tournament provides a unique experience for coaches and players in attendance. The biggest challenge, according to Janney, is to bring 17 players from different clubs and college teams and turn them into a cohesive unit, all in about five days. It's a challenge that Indiana's second-year head coach fully embraces, and it's why she's played a role in the Futures system throughout her coaching career.
Many players from these teams will take the valuable experience back to their respective collegiate teams for the upcoming fall season, but some will go beyond that. Others receive offers from the Under-19 National Team, extended offers to attend future National Team tryouts and camps, and even spots on Team USA's senior squad.
"I was fortunate to have a very talented group of athletes. I'm looking forward to seeing them continue to develop and compete for the next 2020 and 2024 Olympic teams," Janney said. "I had four Big Ten Conference players on my team, and it was great to see the strength of our conference presented at the High Performance level."
Janney and Hempt return to the Hoosiers for the start of the preseason on Tuesday, August 9. Indiana will begin with three-a-day practices on Wednesday, August 10. On Friday, August 19, the Hoosiers will play their annual Cream & Crimson Scrimmage in front of fans at the IU Field Hockey Complex. The scrimmage is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
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