Athlete Profile: Taylar Cianfarano

NSA Pulls a Robbery

by Kelsey Lynch

Cianfarano leaning on NSA's school sign

LAKE PLACID--- Northwood transfer student, Taylar Cianfarano of Oswego, NY, will lace’em up and hit the ice for the 2011-2012-hockey season sporting NSA’s red, white, and blue rather than Northwood blue and white.

NSA’s youngest player, Cianfarano, chose to leave behind her family and friends in order to become a stronger and more developed hockey player. Although saying goodbye is never easy, this is not her first rodeo.

As a former Northwood student, Cianfarano has already experienced the constant struggles and new responsibilities that come along with living away from home. Cianfarano made her decision to transfer to NSA during the summer of 2011.

Most high school students are never thrilled about transferring from school to school because of the normal challenges that teenagers face in order to be accepted.

Cianfarano, on the other hand, did not have this problem. Being the social butterfly that she is her ability to adjust was fairly easy. She made new friends and immediately made herself at home.

Although she is easy going and fun to be around that is not why she was asked to join the Mountaineers ice hockey team. Cianfarano made head coach Bill Ward’s job a lot easier when she stepped on the ice at the u14 national championships.

“She was the most talented player on a strong team”, Ward said.  “She has great ability to score in critical situations.”

Cianfarano sniping during NSA practice

Not only does Cianfarano have the season to look forward to, but also a big home game against former Northwood teammates. As you can imagine leaving behind a total of ten girls is not ideal for anyone but also it puts a big target on her back.

Words or fists may be thrown but if they are, new teammates will not hesitate to step up and protect Cianfarano.

NSA senior Jaclyn Arbour stated,“ if Northwood is going to bring it to us then we are going to bring it right back.”

That being said, with the support of her teammates and coaches it will allow her to forget about whom she is playing against and concentrate on whom she is playing for.

Overall Cianfarano is happy with her decision and is looking forward to a successful season with the NSA Mountaineers. She is hoping that her hard work will “pay off leading her to a D1 hockey program and eventually to win a gold medal!”

With the right attitude and work ethic, there will be no stopping Cianfarano’s success in the future.