First Year Feature: Abby Larkin
We'd like to introduce you to first year women's hockey player, Abby Larkin
The transition from high school to university athletics is significant. We’re highlighting first year athletes from all varsity teams this season who are on the path to achieving greatness here at Dalhousie University.
This week we would like to introduce Abby Larkin, a first year defender on the women's hockey team. Hailing from Mermaid, PEI, Abby is studying science.
How long have you been playing hockey?
Since I was around 4 or 5 years old.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I did gymnastics until I was 11 and still play field hockey
Who is somebody in the hockey community you admired growing up and why?
My older brother, Cole, because he was a great role model for younger me and always made me want to work hard and be like him.
What is the most memorable moment in your career so far?
Playing for team PEI at the Canada Winter Games in front of our hometown crowd every game.
What made you choose Dalhousie University?
I really liked the campus and had a good coonection with the hockey coach, and it just felt like where I should be for the upcoming years.
Did any of your family members attend Dalhousie University?
No.
How has the transition from high school sports to university sports been for you so far?
It was difficult at the start getting used to the change, with classes, scheduling, and schoolwork being different from high school as well as making it work with hockey, but it is much better now.
How do you balance academics and sports?
Just making sure to stay on top of my work and knowing academics and hockey are both very important.
Any pre-event superstitions/routines?
I have many but here are a few: tape my stick a certain way and place it blade upwards on a wall until time to go on the ice, flip a puck into the puck bucket at the end of on ice warmup, and I am always the last person on the ice.
Any hidden talents?
I can do a handstand for a long time.
Fast Fact Questions (rapid fire, 1-word answers)
Favourite food?
Pasta.
Favourite movie?
Don’t have one
Favourite warm-up song or current favourite song?
Warm up song: Four minutes
Favourite professional athlete or team?
Cale Makar
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
Italy
Favorite class this semester?
Biology