ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University field hockey team recently completed the most successful season in the three-year history of the program.
Sophomore Ava Barker played a key role in the Redhawks' record-setting campaign, starting all 15 games and playing 765 minutes, an average of 51 per game.
Barker, a native of Johnstown, N.Y., scored the first goal of her career in a 6-1 triumph over Elmira on Oct. 25, as Roberts recorded its seventh victory of the season.
Barker, who was named a Scholar of Distinction by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association after her freshman season, also excels in the classroom as a History major. She carries a 4.0 grade point average and has been selected the Roberts Wesleyan University Female Scholar-Athlete of the Month for October.
Barker enjoys reading and serves as a Resident Advisor at Roberts. She played basketball and ran track in high school while also playing field hockey throughout the year.
Barker took a few moments to share her thoughts on being a student-athlete at Roberts. Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
When did you start playing field hockey?
"When I was in seventh grade. I had just moved to a new school and my dad really wanted me to play field hockey because the field hockey team there was really good. I just kind of went along with it for a while and it was something that I did, but then when I got to high school I really started to love it."
What did you love about it?
"It's just so relaxing for me. If my day is really stressful, it is a great way to decompress. It also provides a way for me to get exercise and express my creativity."
What did you enjoy the most about your recently completed season?
"I loved that we could be competitive this season. … Everyone worked so hard in the off-season and I think that hard work really paid off. I feel surrounded by a group of people that are really special."
How did you find out about Roberts?
"Coach Marissa (Kocher) sent me and email. We talked on the phone and she asked me to come visit. When I came to visit, I just fell in love with the campus and with her. I could just tell that Coach Marissa really cares about you as a person."
How would you describe the culture in the field hockey program?
"We are very close and we are very dedicated to being close without forcing it."
How would you describe your role on the team?
"I am more of a quiet, lead-by-example teammate. I just try to bring everything that I have to practice every day."
What is it like to be an RA?
"It's definitely something different. Before this year I was very quiet. I would talk to you if you talked to me, but as an RA you have to be a welcoming presence to the campus community so I find myself being the one who starts more conversations than I did last year."
How would you describe the Roberts community?
"I went to a really small high school where everybody knew everybody and I tell people that it feels like high school, but where everyone is nice. Everyone is so polite and friendly, it is a very nice environment."
Have you had a favorite professor during your time at Roberts?
"Dr. Scott B. Caton. We have a lot of big books to read for his classes, but I enjoy reading and I love the way that he teaches. He makes connections with the students while teaching the topic and is open to helping. You can tell that he cares about the students a lot."
Do you have an idea of what you would like to do for a career?
"Right now, I am not sure. I am thinking about maybe becoming a preservationist for artwork or artifacts. Those careers combine history and science which are two things that I enjoy."
Who is your favorite author?
"I really like Kate DiCamillo who wrote The Tale of Despereaux and The Tiger Rising."
What does being a Redhawk mean to you?
"It is really about representing yourself and the school to the best of your ability. Everyone here seems so driven, so I really want to prioritize my sports and my academics so that I am doing everything that I can to contribute as a member of the campus community."
