Freshman Friday is a Q-and-A feature with the new members of the women's hockey team. This fourth installment features forward Grace Graham of Island View, New Brunswick. Graham talks about the different sports (and the musical) she participated in during high school, how playing boys' hockey shaped her game and the adjustment to life at Cornell, on and off the ice.
 
Q: What was the recruiting process like for you?
A: Well I went to prep school in grade 10 and I was there until grade 11. I had gone to a couple of showcases and was figuring out the whole NCAA thing. I ended up coming home for my grade 12 year and the spring before is when I'd been talking to Cornell. I actually ended up committing super late in January of my grade 12 year.
 
Q: What about Cornell made you like it so much?
A: I think Cornell had the best of everything. The academics and athletics, obviously, are just so incredible. It's such a high level for both of them that I think it was the best school for me because of that. Also, the campus was absolutely beautiful and everyone who has been on it knows that. The rink was a huge thing too - beautiful rink - I think it's probably one of the best rinks in the NCAA. Also, the coaches were a huge part of it. They're easily some of the greatest coaches I've ever had and they're a big part in what makes our team our team.
 
 
Q: You mentioned you went to two high schools and at both of those you played sports other than hockey, including volleyball. Why did you do that when everyone else was just focusing on one?
A: Well when I went to prep school, I actually did rowing in the spring. It's mandatory that you do a sport all three seasons – spring, fall and winter. So our fall and winter was hockey and then you could do a third one in the spring. A lot of people kind of just worked out but I thought it would be pretty cool to try something I had never tried before so I ended up trying rowing, which I actually really liked. And then last year when I came home…I actually really like volleyball so I decided to try out. I hadn't played since grade eight and I really liked it and I'm not really sure how I made the team but I ended up playing that and it was a lot of fun. And I did track and field just as a conditioning thing for hockey.
 
Q: And you also did the musical? How did that happen?
A: Well that was kind of a collective hockey team thing. Everyone on the team had done it…and they were kind of like "We're doing this, you want to join?" And so we all went a couple times a week and we had a scene where we all danced – and it was just the hockey girls – so that was pretty interesting.
 
Q: Now going back to hockey, you were the first girl on the midget and varsity boys' teams. How did that impact the way you play the game?
A: I think playing boys hockey, you have to have your head up and obviously it's more physical because there is checking. That's a huge impact on the game and how you play. So I think when I played boys, I kind of had to be that player who was aware or else I would get hit and potentially hurt and I was lucky enough to get through my years not getting hurt. I think it probably helped me a little bit coming into college, just having my head up more and being ready for the physicality of these college-level players.
 
Q: What was the hardest adjustment to the college game?
A: I think the hardest adjustment was the skill level that all the girls have. I think in guys' hockey, you can get away with just being a grinder and working hard but in girls' hockey, everyone is skilled, everyone can skate, everyone has perfected the skills and you have to keep up with that and compete up there.
 
Q: What has been the toughest thing off the ice?
A: Definitely time management. Just trying to figure out my school work with my hockey, balancing that and getting stuff done when I need to. It definitely improved a lot as the fall semester went along.
 
Q: Who helped you out with figuring that out?
A: Honestly, I think as a team, everyone has done a great job of accepting each other and welcoming each other and just making everyone feel comfortable – especially the freshmen coming in. I don't think anyone has shied away from helping people, so I would say the whole team.

Q: What kind of classes have you been taking?
A: I'm in biological sciences right now…I took more science courses [last semester] like oceanography, chemistry, a writing seminar, calculus. It's all kind of geared towards dentistry right now, that's the end goal. It definitely could switch in the next year or so.
 
Q: What is one thing you want to accomplish over the next four years?
A:  Obviously I want to get my degree. I think I want to be successful in hockey and in my academics. It's not one or the other, or just getting by in one or the other. I want to excel in both and improve and learn as much as I can in school and in hockey while I'm here.
 
Frozen Four
The same four questions asked to every member of the Class of 2020.

1) If you could switch lives with someone for one day, who would it be and why?
    I would switch with Don Cherry. I think he kind of has the life. He gets to wear cool suits every day and no one judges him. He just says what he wants and everyone has     accepted the fact that he can have his own opinion…It'd be awesome to be on television.
2) What three words would you want someone else to use to describe you?
    Competitive, spunky and kind.
3) What is your favorite book?
    Tuck Everlasting.
4) What is your dream four-vs-four team?
    I would have to go with Pavel Datsyuk, coach Derraugh [head coach Doug Derraugh '91], and Phil Graham.