July 16-19, 114 of the best U17, U19 and U21 field hockey players congregated at the University of Maryland for Junior National Camp. Among those elite players was Pinkerton Academy junior Jordyn Hamilton.
Jordyn was chosen for the U17 Junior National Team and will be heading to the Netherlands to play in 2011.
Junior National Camp is the premier selection camp for USA Field Hockey's Women's Junior National Teams.
As soon as the athletes got checked into their dorms they were immediately sent down to the pitch for their first session. Each group was broken down by age, so selections could happen throughout the weekend.
Each group played two to three sessions daily, battling the grueling heat. Each group also partook in a tactical session that was carried out in a classroom setting.
At the conclusion of the camp the coaches admitted it was a tough choice to finalize the teams, mentioning the talent level has increased, specifically in the U17 age group.
Next year will hold exciting competition for the Junior National Squads, with the U21s slated to compete in Asia, the U19s headed to Chile and the U17s making their way to the Netherlands. These international exposures give valuable experience to USA Field Hockey's up-and-coming athletes and gives them the exciting opportunity to represent their country on the pitch.
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