Published: July 22, 2008 11:44 pm            

FIELD HOCKEY: Starpoint’s Braun has dream come true

PENDLETON — Brittany Braun remembers it like it was yesterday.

For four years, she was a mean, rough, tough, bruising offensive lineman for the Pendleton Cougars, paving the way for running back Brandon Bratek. Yes, a girl in the youth football trenches.

“I always wanted to play football,” she said at her home this past week. “I loved it.”

Some half dozen years later, Bratek is still starring on the gridiron as a two-time first team CRUNCH honoree at Starpoint High School.

At the same time, Braun is finding success in another sport — field hockey. The Starpoint senior has picked up all-ECIC honors of some sort all four years on the varsity and recently was selected to represent the Western Region at this week’s 38th annual Empire State Games in Binghamton. The ESG berth was a dream come true for Braun, who had failed to make the team the past three summers.

“At the end of tryouts, everyone gets a number and sits on the field waiting for the coach to call yours,” she said. “I remember I was number 520. When they finally read it off, I was like ‘wait, read it again.’ It was a big relief that I had finally made it.”

Braun will play sweeper or defensive back for the Western region, which features a number of girls from Williamsville and Rochester. The Western team will open against defending gold medalist Hudson Valley on Thursday and Braun is looking forward to the challenge.

“Last year Western took the silver, so it’s definitely a difficult tournament,” she said. “It’s like college play — very quick, very strong.”

Braun said she’s been in contact with former high school teammate and ESG competitor Lauren Bordonaro to get a feel for what the atmosphere might be downstate.

“She told me it was one of the best experiences she ever had playing field hockey,” Braun said. “She said to show them exactly who you are and play your best all the time.”

With only 16 players on the roster, Braun said everyone should see their own fair share of playing time and hopefully contribute toward a gold medal.

“Our defense is really solid and our offense is quick and can score, so we’re ready to take the gold this year,” she said.

Braun’s also ready to finish her prep career on a high note and hopefully find a school where she can continue to build her love of field hockey. She listed Brockport State, Morrisville State, Lynchburg (Va.) University and The College of Wooster (Ohio) as possible destinations.

“With field hockey, I’ve been able to let myself go and get better and better each year,” Braun said. “I feel like I haven’t peaked in field hockey. I’ve still got more to learn and more to show in the future.”

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.



BRITTANY BRAUN

• HOMETOWN: Pendleton

• EVENT: Field Hockey

• DIVISION: Scholastic Women’s

• POSITION: Sweeper

• LOWDOWN: Starpoint senior started out on the gridiron, but found her way to field hockey. Now she wants a gold medal at the Games.

        

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