Understated Gold - Cayla Barnes '17

Cayla Barnes is on her way to see the Zach Brown Band at a Boston area venue with a handful of New Hampton School alumni, some with one year of college under their belt and others just weeks after their high school graduation. Wearing a summer dress and flip flops, she comfortably sits down ready to talk through her story and recent accolades — something she’s had much practice in during the past few months — yet, she is also eager to meet-up with her friends and enjoy the weekend. A stranger might take note of the lanyard holding her keys, decorated with Olympic rings — the only item she carries to the café patio for her interview — and wonder if she is an athlete, a volunteer, or a friend of an Olympian. However, upon further observation, an image of the Olympic rings subtly tattooed underneath her right forearm begins to tell a different story.

At the age of 18, Barnes was the youngest of the candidates vying for a spot on the US Women’s National Hockey team. Months after graduating from New Hampton School, and weeks after matriculating at Boston College, Barnes received a late call-down from the manager of the US Women’s National Team, inviting her to train with them in Florida. Shortly thereafter, she was named to the official roster and invited to compete in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, Republic of Korea. In the weeks to follow, the team prepared for what became a historic Olympics for the US Women’s National Team. Ending in a dramatic sudden-death shootout, the 2018 Winter Olympics saw their first gold medal victory since 1998 by defeating ultimate rival Team Canada.

Barnes’ journey to gold began as she was gaining stability on two feet, which is about the same time she learned to skate. Barnes grew up the youngest of five siblings, and the only girl, in Corona, California. With four older brothers, she attributes her young interest in hockey to them.

While the early memories are few, one memory that characterizes the same tenacity noted by her coaches today is of first

learning to skate — on figure skates. “I was stubborn,” Barnes notes. “My teacher would put Skittles on the ice, and if I skated to them, I could pick them up and eat them.” The game worked. Sort of. Barnes quickly picked up skating, but she didn’t stick to the original plan. Her mother, Michelle Church, recalls how after raising four boys, she had hoped her daughter might become a figure skater, but shortly after her first lesson, her teacher pointed out to Church that her daughter was completely preoccupied with the hockey program at the other end of the rink. “What she wants to do is down there,” he said.

It wasn’t long before Church realized her daughter wanted to follow the path of her big brothers, and switched her from figure skating to ice hockey when she was about three years old. Barnes stuck to the hockey program and her skating and stick handling eventually evolved into playing actual games. These, too, are a distant memory, as Barnes notes in her initial years, “I was terrible. I didn’t touch the puck my first two years, I just skated around and then got off.” But hockey was in the family, and Barnes aspired to keep up withher older brothers, all of whom played some form of the sport, either roller hockey (which Barnes notes she played up until a year ago)

or ice hockey. “She tried it and she never looked back,” recalls her mother.

As Barnes began to grow and mature, still very young in elementary and middle school, an affinity for hockey began to rise above some of her other interests. For much of Barnes’ career, soccer also played a role. In addition, Barnes notes drawing and painting as her other passions. “It’s kind of my thing. I really like doing arts and crafts, even though I’m not good at it.” As Barnes grew up, balancing the demands of an active lifestyle with all kinds of sports, soccer, swimming and hockey, the occasional restful art project – whether by herself or with her grandmother – was always a welcome respite.

Art and other athletic pursuits aside, once she understood hockey and how to properly chase or guard the puck, hockey quickly began to stand out as a sport that Barnes was quite good at. By age 12, she was playing as the lone female on an all-boys team, competing in club hockey across the country and in Canada. It’s hard to discern her passion and prowess, but somehow it all took shape at once. “I was beginning to receive recognition and awards,” Barnes recalls. “That’s when I thought, ‘Wow, I really like doing this and having these opportunities.’”

Playing on a winning elite youth AAA team all across North America saw Barnes traveling almost every weekend. California didn’t have the local competition for this young group of athletes, so they journeyed to places like Detroit, Chicago, Canada and New York in search of competition and tournaments and showcases that would help rank their talent and advance them to higher-level national tournaments. To give a sense of the success of her team, Barnes notes that today five of the boys she played with are playing in the NHL and she is an Olympic Gold Medalist. It was about this time that she also began to pay more attention to women’s hockey, college opportunities, the national team, and consider her future. While heads were turning her way at the early age of twelve on the ice, off the ice Barnes shared that another important element of her youth was balancing school life. “I missed a lot of school, and my school was not happy about it.” The same maturity that characterizes Barnes as a 19-yearold Olympian, was already evident in her middle-school years. Barnes recognized that if she was already struggling to balance her emerging hockey career with age-

appropriate expectations for school, friends, and fun as a teenager, it would only become more difficult in high school.

Prep schools weren’t entirely foreign to Barnes who watched some of her teammates and friends leave California to advance their sport and go to boarding schools out east. Combine that with recruiter and college inquiries, along with Cayla’s own interest in her future prospects, and soon it became apparent to Barnes that prep-school was worth researching. “I wanted to be seen. I wanted to be able to go to school, play soccer, play other sports, and enjoy my high school experience, but also play hockey. That was important to me, not just playing hockey — because obviously I love it — but I didn’t want to get burned-out or miss other opportunities that come with high school.” It was Barnes that first presented the idea to her parents, who had only experienced public school for their family thus far. Barnes and her parents tested out the idea with a visit to Shattuck- St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minnesota, a great hockey school by reputation, and the one most popular with her teammates at the time. Shattuck wasn’t the right fit for Barnes, but she was now turned on to the idea of prep school and wanted to keep looking.

Determined this was the right choice for her future, Barnes spoke with her parents

and asked to visit more schools on the east coast. In retrospect, Church explains how her daughter’s interest in prep-school fits with her career-long outlook: “She’s always been of that mindset, that hockey doesn’t define me… ‘It’s what I do, not who I am.’ ” By the time she officially started looking, Barnes had already connected with a number of coaches at hockey showcases; Craig Churchill, then in his third year at New Hampton School, was one of them.

Churchill and Barnes met in the spring of 2012. Churchill had seen Barnes play, but he started paying more attention after a New Hampton School alumnus tipped him off to her talent. It wasn’t long before Churchill and Barnes met in person and began talking about the school’s program and the prospect of her joining the team.

New Hampton School wasn’t the only name on the list when Cayla and her parents traveled East to visit schools. She had noted in her early conversations that she really liked Churchill, both from what she understood of him as a coach and his personality. However, nothing was set just yet. Barnes and her parents were diligent investigators. Together, they built a master list and scheduled visits with a number of New Hampton School’s competitors on the hockey scene, including places such as St. Paul’s School and Nobles and Greenough. Not unlike stories from other

alumni, Barnes remarks, “When I visited New Hampton, I fell in love with it. This is so cheesy but after my visit, I was like, ‘Mom, I want to go here.’ ” And that was it. Barnes stopped talking to other schools and coaches as she had made her choice, provided the school also chose her.

New Hampton School, under the guidance of a relatively new Coach Churchill, offered the opportunity to help establish a powerful hockey program. As Churchill framed it for her, Barnes would be able to play a role in building the program. She would be a strong member of this young, growing team, and Barnes would have the opportunity to play — and play a lot.

For four years, Barnes was a threesport athlete; in addition to her time on the ice, she contributed on the fields with soccer and lacrosse. She maintained an impressive academic record and continued to excel at hockey. In addition to meeting her expectations in developing her hockey career, what she couldn’t have anticipated, but which might have shaped her experience the most, are the relationships she built with classmates and friends from around the world. “You just don’t really get that in a public school.”

Armed with good friends and a strong support system, Barnes took advantage of the opportunities before her. She led the New Hampton Huskies to their first ever NEPSAC (New England Prep School Athletic Council) Division I Championship title in her senior year. “We did it in rather a dramatic fashion,” Barnes says with a smile, recalling several overtime goals that helped to secure the title. In addition, Barnes was named Division I NEPSAC Player of the Year at the end of her senior season.

If one of her goals was to help build the program, Barnes succeeded. With the support of Coach Churchill, she continued to hone her craft and draw other elite players to New Hampton School. More important than associating his team with Barnes’ national spotlight as a U18 athlete, Churchill credits much of their success during her years to her character and personality. “She was a great leader. She bought into my plan with unequivocal support and made others believe they could achieve greatness.” Six years after first meeting Barnes, Churchill recognizes her most exceptional trait. “It’s

rare to find a star athlete with that kind of talent and coachability,” recalling how she never once, in four years of coaching, questioned a drill, exercise, or game plan.

In the fall of her senior year, Barnes and her teammates, several of whom played together for all four years, said goodbye to Merrill Lindsay Arena — a classic, open-air rink that had been their home for their first three years — with great fondness. At the Jacobson Arena dedication in November 2017, Barnes spoke on behalf of her teammates. “This arena will see big overtime wins and some heartbreaking losses, but the heart of Husky Hockey will electrify this building, making it come to life. I am ecstatic to be playing my last season in such a beautiful facility that will help my teammates and I get better every time we step on the ice.” She was sure to acknowledge that the success of the team was only as good as all of the players together. The poise and thoughtfulness with which she handled this moment are a perfect example of Barnes’ personal growth during her time at New Hampton. “Over the past four years, people like Coach Craig Churchill and my teammates in this very room have pushed me to become better every day. They have showed me the true meaning of friendship and what is means to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

While seeing the Huskies to a first-ever NEPSAC Championship is one of the highlights of her time at New Hampton School, Barnes rounded out her four-year career just as any high school student might. Recalling time spent with her classmates at Powder Keg, enjoying autumn in New England on Foliage Day, and “just hanging out” in the residence houses — these are some of her most memorable moments.

As the New Hampton School Women’s Varsity Hockey Program advanced during Barnes’ four years at New Hampton, so, too, did her personal career. Alongside her NEPSAC sports, academic schedule, and social calendar, Barnes continued to travel with the US National U18 Hockey Team. As a U18 athlete, Barnes was the first player in history to lead the team to three consecutive gold medals. In 2016 and 2017, she was recognized with the Directorate Award given to the top defenseman following the world championships.

“THERE’S PEACE THROUGH SPORT, THE OLYMPICS WERE A GREAT EXAMPLE.”

prospects, Barnes committed to play for Boston College as a sophomore at the age of 15. While she doesn’t acknowledge it with any semblance of regret, Barnes notes the recruiting challenges for young athletes. “I mean, I’m such a different person now than I was back then.” And that was two years after she received her first college offer; an offer that came when she was in only eighth grade.

Though New Hampton School helped balance much of the demands of an elite athletic career with a high school experience, some things just can’t be avoided. Barnes missed out on her senior prom to try out for her first Olympics in the spring of 2017. It was seven years after she’d first set her eyes, and her heart, on the goal. Barnes remembers sitting in her living room watching the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia with her mother. At some point during a game she turned to her mom and said, “I want to do that.” Over the years, her goals changed but, even before high school, Barnes began mapping them out for her mother; if she was eligible for the U18 team at fifteen, she could play with them for three years, then compete at the 2018 Olympic games.

and closer as she received continuous recognition on the national and local level. However, once Barnes and her family understood more about the Women’s National program and Barnes’ academic and athletic goals, she shifted her focus toward the 2022 Olympic games, which would fall after her college graduation. Yet, when her accomplishments in high school, and as a U18 athlete, earned her an invitation to the tryouts in April 2017, Barnes was not about to say no.

Working hard to keep her excitement in check and be present and grateful for the opportunity, Barnes traveled to Wesley Chapel, Florida for tryouts. Upon returning to New Hampton School, and jumping quickly back into end-of-year celebrations with her classmates, Barnes received the news that she did not make the US Women’s National Team. Relatively nonchalant about this disappointing news, Barnes shook it off, reminding herself that it was never an expectation, but welcomed added exposure; she was grateful for four days on the ice with some of the nation’s best athletes. Barnes refocused on her senior spring, graduation, and her upcoming transition to Boston College. Processing the feedback that she had what it takes, but that the team managers

wanted to allow a more senior player the opportunity to pursue their Olympic dreams, Barnes set her sights on growing as an athlete in college. “Keep training,” they said.

With new goals in place, eager to finally experience college life, Barnes arrived at Boston College in the fall of 2017. Flexible isn’t always a term used to characterize a star athlete, yet for Barnes, adaptability has been essential. Shortly after moving into her dorm on the Boston College campus, playing a few games with her new team, and beginning to build a network of friends, Barnes received a call from the manager of the USWomen’s National Team. This time they invited her to train full-time with the team in Florida and, once again, compete for a spot on the Olympic roster. While there was no way to guarantee her spot prior to officially announcing the roster in January 2018, Barnes felt comfortable knowing she’d been cut from the team once and was being invited back down to prepare for the upcoming games. This was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“SHE’S ALWAYS BEEN OF THAT MINDSET, THAT ‘HOCKEY DOESN’T DEFINE ME… IT’S WHAT I DO, NOT WHO I AM.’ ”

The first person Barnes called? Her mom. “She thought I was joking,” Barnes laughs. “I called my mom and said, ‘I’m going to Florida to join the Olympic team.’ She said, ‘No you’re not. Stop messing with me.’” It took a few more minutes before Barnes had both of her parents jumping for joy at the reality of her news.

Before formally being named to the Olympic roster, Barnes had to earn her spot. The challenge was two-fold: Barnes had to quickly adapt to playing at the highest caliber she was yet to experience, and she needed to learn how to pay bills and do her own grocery shopping and laundry. While a national team with primarily twenty and thirty-year-old athletes might seem youthful, Barnes was the youngest by over a year. She made a rapid transition into adulthood.

“Those girls are so intense!” Barnes laughs as she explains the difference between collegiate athletes and the US Women’s National team. For Barnes, they brought the term “live and breathe hockey” to a whole new level. While she’d always maintained a strong focus on the game, she now realized that she had been invited to work with an elite group of women that were focused on winning. Their lives, down to the last detail, are dedicated to becoming the best hockey players in the world. On one hand, the level

of intensity was not new to Barnes. She understood the importance of nutrition and mental skills to enhance her play on the ice. But it was both the pace and intensity of play, and as Barnes puts it, “being a 25-yearold adult in a 19-year-old body,” that forced her to grow up quickly, and sharpened her game.

Luckily for Barnes, two of the younger women on the team took her under their wing and helped her navigate team dynamics and life skills. She aced the challenge and in January of 2018, Barnes was officially named to theroster.

“Dreams do come true,” Barnes posted on her Twitter and Instagram account with a photo of the Olympic roster. While she might have known since that call in October that she was going to make the team, Barnes didn’t share her glory until the news was official. In the midst of all that excitement, Barnes was experiencing a level of intensity and “upping her game” in a way she had yet to encounter. The athletes that had qualified back in April had six months to prepare for the Olympic games. Barnes, who wasn’t invited to train with the team until October, had only three months to prepare for PyeongChang.

New Hampton School might have provided the foundation for Barnes to build confidence and comfort with herself; however, PyeongChang brought that self confidence to an even higher standard. In addition to assimilating with a team of adults, Barnes had to prepare to speak with reporters, media outlets, coaches, trainers and fans. The youngest member of the team, and one of the younger American athletes, she wasn’t going to go unnoticed.

Two moments stand out for Barnes as the most memorable of her Olympic experience. First and foremost, winning Olympic gold against longtime rival Canada in an electrifying overtime victory is unforgettable. The moment resonates but the details are blurry: “I think I blacked out during it. After the shootout, we kind of just — you just get off the bench, and you throw off your gloves, and you’re in the pile, and it’s just — I don’t know. It was so awesome!” What Barnes does remember is how powerful the moment was for some of her other teammates, the ones that she watched on TV during the 2010 and 2014 Olympics. For those women, she humbly acknowledges that this was their second or third Olympics. They had experienced loss in prior years, so for them, this was momentous — a celebration and validation they had been seeking for years. Barnes was sharing an unforgettable moment in the spotlight with women who were once, and likely still are, her idols.

Beyond her moments on the ice, the opening ceremonies are now etched in Barnes’ memory. Connecting the experience back to New Hampton School where she

developed an appreciation for the world beyond herself and established a foundation for global citizenship, the opening ceremonies left a powerful impression. “There’s peace through sport, and the Olympics were a great example. It was so cool to see everyone sharing so much pride for their countries.” Passionate, perceptive, and proud, Barnes was thrilled to walk behind the American flag, representing her country and team.

The experience was compounded upon returning home as an Olympic gold medalist. She recalls the reception they received walking through the airport and the excitement of meeting their supporters in those early days back in the US. “We were just playing hockey,” and yet citizens were thanking them for representing their country. With a deep and continuing appreciation for her mentors and those who have motivated her to pursue her passions, Barnes now finds herself in the spotlight and in a position to inspire others. One of the most empowering parts of her experience she’s found is in serving as a role model and encouraging the next generation.

The media tour for the US Women’s National team included visits on the Ellen Show and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, both highlighted on Barnes’ Instagram account. Yet, Barnes recognizes another visit as one of the most memorable. The women’s hockey team joined the US Women’s Soccer Team at the SheBelieves Cup. With a solid foundation in and love for soccer, Barnes found herself meeting even more childhood idols including professional women’s soccer players Alex Morgan and Carli Loyd. “Our teams are really good friends because we fight for the same things and we are both trying to grow the games, just in different sports.” The teams combined to offer leadership to other young women, and Barnes found herself signing autographs and posing in pictures with young girls that reminded her of her nottoo-distant childhood.

Empowered with new life and athletic experience, Barnes’ journey continues on. In the fall of 2018, she returns to Boston College to restart her freshman year. In between classes and college life, she will continue to play hockey with her eyes set on the 2022 Olympics — the year she once thought might be her first opportunity for gold. When asked what she’s looking forward to when she returns to Boston College, we’re reminded of how grounded Barnes is: “I’m excited to be in class and have a routine schedule. College hockey is really fun. It’s fun to be a college athlete and be part of your sport, but also other sports — going to see other teams and traveling.” Without an ounce of regret, Barnes is looking forward to that “normal” college life she missed out on in the past year. While her aptitude and love for the sport is unmatched, what Barnes has been seeking all along, and what drew her to New Hampton in the first place, is balance. “Just being with people my age will be fun, to hang out and do things… I’m really excited for that.”

Before wrapping up her interview, Barnes took a moment to recognize her two biggest supporters: her parents. Each have played a different role in her success. "They're good people, and they really support me in whatever decision I want to make," she says. A balanced team, Michelle Church and Scott Barnes each provide their own form of encouragement and support for their daughter. "My dad's the calm one," Barnes explains. Her father helps her balance the moments of stress by encouraging her to take a deep breath and reminding her that no matter what, it's all going to be ok. Michelle Church offers Barnes the tough love she sometimes needs to keep chasing her dreams. "She's like, 'If you want something, you've got to go get it.' " Peacemaker and cheerleader respectively, Barnes is backed by two loving parents and four loving brothers that have shared her journey every step of the way.