Although graduated, Kenzie Kent is still known as one of the most versatile athletes in the NCAA. Kenzie was not only a superstar for the Boston College hockey program in Division I, but she was also one of the best lacrosse players in the nation's top lacrosse conference. She is a two-time all-region honoree (2015, 2016) and two-time Tewaaraton Award Watch List inclusion (2016, 2017). In this short interview, Kenzie offers advice and insight into being a dual sport athlete in college:
How Hard Was it to Get Recruited For Two Sports?
It was hard because I didn't know what I wanted to do. I originally thought I wanted to play only lacrosse, so the hardest part was making the decision of whether or not to do both.
How do You Manage Academics and Two Sports?
It's pretty difficult, but we have really good resources here at Boston College. I have an academic advisor who gets me set up with tutors and helps me stay organized. It's hard when you're on the road all the time and you're exhausted and just want to sleep, so getting help from the resources at BC is a lot of help.
What do You Love About Hockey?
I love that it is a game of mistakes. There's probably 10 mistakes made in each shift, and each shift is like a minute and 30 seconds. My favorite part is that you don't have to worry too much about the mistakes, the game flows so nicely. I also love how close I am with my teammates.
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What do You Love About Lacrosse?
I love that it's a controlled sport. It's a completely different sport than hockey in my opinion. I don't love that it's not as common to make mistakes, but I do like the controlled aspect.
Related: 7 Tips and Tricks to Reach Your Full Potential in Lacrosse in 2023
How do Your Hockey Teammates and Lacrosse Teammates Differ?
I think both teams are actually very similar at BC. The hockey team is a little more laid back, and the lacrosse team has more of an intense atmosphere when it comes to the sport.
What is the Best Piece of Advice You Can Give Recruits?
I didn't commit anywhere until the winter of my junior year which is kind of uncommon for both lacrosse and hockey. I always tell people to not rush into any decision. The school you pick is part of the start of the rest of your life, so that is not a decision you want to rush.
How do the Locker Room Atmospheres Differ Before Games?
Hockey you're in the locker room for most of the time, so there is way more locker room talk. Usually before the game, it is really laid back. Everyone is laughing, dancing, and singing. But then once the game starts, we don't listen to music or anything. After every period, we come off and sit in the locker room for like 15 minutes, so it is more talk about what's going on in the game and it's a lot more serious. For lacrosse, we listen to music and then go straight to the field. There is less time to talk, so we mostly listen to music and then head out to the game.
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Who is Your Inspiration?
I would say that my mom is my inspiration. She played 3 sports at Colby College and she has been a coach her entire life. She actually just got in the hall of fame for starting a lacrosse program in my hometown. So I would have to say her, she's been my role model my whole life and she's really easy to look up to.
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Image Credit: Boston College
* Originally published on June 8, 2023, by Barbara Gonzalez
