By Josh Wagner\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College sophomore Hannah Loughry is known on campus as a goalkeeper for the women\u2019s soccer team, however, this winter, she took her talents to the court and joined the women\u2019s basketball team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision allowed her to continue to compete during the winter season and marked the first time she has competed in two collegiate sports at Hood College. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI used to joke about playing basketball here like I did in high school, but I was never serious,” Loughry said.”Two weeks before Thanksgiving break, my soccer coach asked if I missed playing, and when I said yes, she told me she was going to talk to the basketball coach about me joining the team. I didn\u2019t think it would actually happen, but after a workout, I was offered a spot.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loughry said the opportunity came quickly. After meeting with the basketball coach and completing a workout, she officially joined the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the transition came with challenges, Loughry said she was already familiar with balancing multiple sports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loughry attended Arundel High School in Gambrills, Maryland, where she played soccer, basketball and softball. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said playing multiple sports in high school helped ease the transition at Hood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a huge adjustment for me since I did this all throughout high school, but the running practices were definitely not easy,\u201d Loughry said. \u201cWith me being in goal for soccer season and recovering from knee surgery at the beginning of the season, I wasn\u2019t doing a whole lot of running and sprinting.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loughry said her teammates’ support helped her build confidence as she learned the system and adjusted to the game’s pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe team is so welcoming when I joined; they helped explain drills, went over plays with me, and gave me pointers when I needed them. They even cheered me on when I felt like I wasn\u2019t doing well,” Loughry said. \u201cI\u2019m so grateful for this team and how they made me feel when I first joined.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loughry credited several people within the basketball program and across campus for helping her adjust to her new environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBetween the coaches, the team, and even some of my friends on the men\u2019s basketball team, I had a lot of help transitioning into basketball,” Loughry said. “They would work with me outside of practice and help me with plays or shooting.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loughry recorded her first points of the season against Albright College, finishing the game with five points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She recorded 38 minutes this season, playing in nine games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As she looks ahead, Loughry remains a key member of the women\u2019s soccer program while having gained valuable experience on the basketball court. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlaying basketball again showed me that if you work hard, anything is possible,” Loughry said. “I never imagined I\u2019d play college basketball, and it also made me realize I\u2019m mentally stronger than I thought.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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