Most high school athletes spend their off-season in recovery or practicing their sport with the aim of playing on one collegiate team. However, senior Kassidy Carmichael braves not only the ice in the winter but also the field in the spring, and has climbed to the highest level in each of her athletic pursuits.
Carmichael committed to The Ohio State University (OSU) for both hockey and lacrosse when she was in her junior year of high school due to the school’s focused environment and its competitive D1 sports programs.
The reason she chose OSU rather than Boston College or Penn State, which she had previously looked at, was because she felt The Ohio State University best suited her own personal needs and her goal of being a dual sport athlete.
Ever since she first started playing lacrosse and hockey at around five years old, Carmichael knew she wanted to pursue both sports at a higher level.
“I’ve played hockey and lacrosse since I was about five or six [and] I’ve always wanted to play both sports [in college],” Carmichael said.
For Carmichael, her dedication to athletics extends beyond WA. Every year since she was a freshmen, Carmichael has transferred to the North American Hockey Academy (NAHA) in Boston to play for their ice hockey team in the winter. After the winter season, she comes back to Westford Academy to join the girls’ lacrosse team and becomes a key player in their spring season.
Carmichael has been the captain of the WA Girls’ Lacrosse team for two years and, according to WA Girls’ Lacrosse Coach Julie Oliver, Carmichael has been a great asset to her team.
“Kassidy is focused, she drills in as soon as she steps on that field, and is always thinking strategically. She always puts in 110%, and strives against a challenge. She really inspires others to push harder,” Olivier said.
While Carmichael will have her hands full playing for the lacrosse and ice hockey teams at Ohio State, she also plans to stay focused on her studies.
“Ohio has a lot of resources that will help me balance both athletics and academics,” Carmichael said.
While in Ohio, Carmichael plans to pursue a major in the sports industry. She also knows a handful of people who will be attending OSU from her hockey team at NAHA and her club lacrosse team. Carmichael has been lucky enough to have already met her future hockey and lacrosse teammates as well.
Carmichael took initiative during her commitment process, and secured both her position on the team, and interviews with colleges as a result of her hard work and aspirations. Although Carmichael is looking forward to starting this new chapter in her life, she is also grateful for the support she’s gotten from her family and coaches.
“She owned the whole [commitment] process. I spoke with her Ohio State [lacrosse] coach once it was all said and done to say, ‘Do you know how lucky you are to have such an outstanding athlete coming your way?’” Olivier said.
While Carmichael is excited for the new opportunities and changes that college will undoubtedly bring, she also feels proud of her own experiences and journey that has brought her to this point.
“[Some] advice I would give other players is everyone has their own unique path in committing to a college, so stay focused on yourself and work hard,” Carmichael said.
