With another Nepsac Championship title in mind, Co-Captain Charlotte Welch ’18 inspires her teammates and coaches with her humility and passion for the sport.
Welch’s hockey experience began when she and her four older siblings played hockey in their backyard. She started her Andover career as a Junior, and her journey since has been highly rewarding, according to Welch.
Welch said, “My experience with the Andover hockey team has been super fun. It’s been definitely a great team to be a part of — not too stressful or hardcore. It’s been a mix between working your hardest, as well as having fun off the ice.”
Welch’s greatest inspiration on the team is Head Coach Martha Fenton and the seniors that were on the team her Junior year.
“[Coach Fenton and the Seniors] made us [newcomers] feel included on the team and welcomed,” said Welch.
According to Molly MacQueen ’21 and Lilly Feeny ’20, Welch has strived to follow in the footsteps of the seniors that guided her through the ice in her junior year while also leading by demonstrating a consistent work ethic.
MacQueen said, “She is incredibly gritty, and it shows. She is a supportive teammate, but she also holds us accountable. She’s the kind of person you want to work hard for.”
Lilly Feeney ’20 added, “[Welch] is a great teammate. In the locker room, she is a leader, always offering advice between periods. She is willing to communicate with us on the bench.”
Co-Captain Sarah Rigazio ’18 said, “Charlotte is honestly inspiring. I have never seen her giving less than one-hundred percent. She is a role model to so many on the team. I think the younger girls will take the tone that Charlotte has set for Andover and continue it for years to come.”
Welch also always has the right balance between seriousness and humor required to effectively lead her team, according to Feeney and Rigazio.
“She is so quiet but so funny. She is fun and crazy, but she can be serious when she needs to, which is what makes her such a strong captain,” said Alexa Matses ’18.
Feeney said, “Once, [Welch] convinced Coach Fenton to let us stop at Friendly’s on the ride back from a game. It was great.”
Welch looks to continue building bonds, as well as pushing her team towards success.
“I hope that I lead the team in a way that’s very unassuming and not controlling or too intense in any way. I want to make sure that everyone feels at home and excited to be there every day,” said Welch. “I want everyone to feel like they enjoyed the season; that the team environment was compatible to what they wanted it to be, as well as their work ethic paying off in the end and hopefully with a rewarding end to the season.”
