TOPSHAM — Two Mt. Ararat field hockey players made official their plans to compete at the next level during a ceremony Monday night at the high school.

Belle Hemond, who was recently named to the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference All Conference first team, will attend Division II Assumption University in Worcester, Mass. next fall. Mia Rineer will attend Division III Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster Pennsylvania.

 Hemond will be playing for a Division II field hockey program that is ranked sixth in the country and entered the Northeast-10 Conference tournament this week as the No. 2 seed.

“I went to visit in April and I instantly knew that was the place I would fit in,” she said. “(Both) the coach and team were so welcoming. I loved it there, the campus and everything about it. … It’s amazing that this isn’t the end of my career. It was amazing playing for this team, but I get to create new relationships and further my career in field hockey.”

Added Rineer: “I am looking at communications and maybe a minor in sports management. I want to be a high school teacher someday so I may get my teaching certificate after. … I’ve had a love for field hockey for a long time and honestly it’s a blessing to have another four years to play the game I love, I am so grateful.”

Mt. Ararat head coach Krista Chase has coached Hemond and Rineer since elementary school and appreciates what they did for the program.

“It means there’s a lot of enthusiasm and passion for field hockey at Mt. Ararat,” said Chase. “I’m really happy for them and they’re both really good students on top of being really good players.”

Rineer and Hemond earned KVAC All-Academic honors.

“I think it’s a great testament to them both and their families that we recognize them here (Monday) for continuing not just their field hockey careers, but their education,” noted Chase. “I’ve been coaching both of these girls since they were little. I think field hockey just caught on with them. Where it started as maybe something social to do, it’s really transformed into something that’s very important for them as they continue their studies and really start adulthood, life after high school. I always think that’s spectacular when kids choose to continue their sport as they embark on life after high school and future career path.”

Rineer and Hemond added that they are excited for each other.

“I’ve known Belle since the moment I moved to Maine and it’s been a blessing to be able to play field hockey with her,” said Rineer. “We’ve played field hockey together since second grade and we’ve grown together. She’s always been my biggest supporter and I try to be hers, too.”

“I’ve known Mira since the second grade and we’ve grown up playing field hockey,” added Hemond. “We’ve been best friends ever since so it was very important to share this moment with her.”

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