Although Miami University's women's club ice hockey team is only three years old, its players are getting a lot of recognition.
The Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association (CCWHA) named senior captain Channing Ahbe and first-year defenseman Morgan McGrath first-team all-conference. According to head coach Scott Hicks, this is the first time the CCWHA has named any of the team's players. Out of the entire conference with about 200 girls in the pool, only six girls are selected.
When Ahbe found out the news, she said she was shocked.
"My coach informed me and I was very excited and very surprised," Ahbe said. "I was not expecting such a great honor. This is a great way to leave my Miami career behind."
Hicks said he believes both girls deserved this recognition.
"Not only are they leaders for us, they are leaders on and off the ice," Hicks said. "They lead by example and bring everyone together."
McGrath said she feels it is an incredible honor to be recognized, but also said she thinks it says a lot about Miami's women's ice hockey program.
"I think it speaks a lot about our team and our program as well," McGrath said. "Having two girls chosen for first-team shows how far Miami's women's hockey has come in the three short years it's been in existence. This was only our second official season and I think we're turning quite a few heads already."
Junior Anna Lampros, co-host of her own radio show on WMSR, said she was excited when she read the news about the women's hockey team.
"I am so used to talking about the men's ice hockey team, so when I read the news about the women's team, I was thrilled," Lampros said. "I hope I can continue to talk about them in our sports section on the show."
Hicks explained although the team did not have the numbers of wins and losses it wanted this year, the team and the players were still recognized for their hard work. He also said it is rare for a first-year to be named first-team all-conference.
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"It's unlikely for a freshman to be recognized because our league is loaded with upperclassman," Hicks said. "It shows that her defense abilities were recognized, which is not common."
Both Ahbe and McGrath said they are excited for each other, and believe one another earned this recognition.
"It's exciting for Morgan since she's a freshman," Ahbe said. "She's still young and has so much potential."
McGrath said she has looked up to Ahbe during the season and it was an honor to have her name next to Ahbes'.
"I know what an incredible player our captain is, so seeing my name on the same list as hers was an honor in itself," McGrath said. "Channing's leadership and passion for the team both on and off the ice made her a role model all season."
As the women's ice hockey team continues to grow, the players want more students to go out and support them, according to McGrath.
"Come watch our games, we need some more fans," McGrath said.
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