Athlete Profile

From NSA to PSU

By Martha Smith

LAKE PLACID- After four grueling years at National Sports Academy, senior Emily Laurenzi became the first Mountaineer to make a college commitment, verbally agreeing to join Penn State University as part of their inaugural women’s hockey team.

There is plenty for the NSA star to look forward to in the next year, but she plans on taking care of business her senior year.

NSA Forward Emily Laurenzi

Laurenzi has been part of some important milestones as a center on National Sports Academy’s hockey team. 

During the 2009-2010 season, Laurenzi helped lead the team to its first appearance at the National Championships, a major milestone for the NSA program. 

With only one season left at NSA, Laurenzi is hoping to finish the year with a return trip to nationals, along with a good season without drama.  Even with the great offer from Penn State, Laurenzi still thinks she will miss parts of NSA, such as the smaller class sizes along with the packed hockey season.

After visiting a bunch of other schools Laurenzi knew Penn State was right.  She really loved the coach, and when they gave her an offer she claims she “couldn’t turn it down.”

Laurenzi committed to Penn State’s first ever women’s hockey team. 

Joining a new hockey team could be rough, but Laurenzi believes things will get better and says it is “excit[ing] to get to say you’re a part of that.”    

She will be sporting a Nittany Lions jersey in their new 80 million dollar rink.  If that’s not enough, she along with her team, get to cut the ribbon of the rink.

With one more year of high school Laurenzi says she has to stay focused and not slack off now that she is in college.  She doesn’t plan on taking a chance and losing her spot on the team.