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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Van Sickle was born on January 26, 1990, in [[Wilmington, Delaware]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/132109|website=Olympedia.org|title=Caitlin Van Sickle}}</ref> She played [[golf]] at an early age, with her mother being the head professional and an instructor at [[DuPont Country Club]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012100/https://townsquaredelaware.com/2016/07/14/caitlyn-van-sickle-heads-to-rio-for-olympic-gold/|website=Town Square Delaware|date=July 14, 2016|author=Noonan, Kevin|via=[[Wayback Machine]]|title=Caitlin Van Sickle Heads to Rio for Olympic Gold}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/lnp-always-lancaster/143911434/|newspaper=[[LNP Always Lancaster]]|author=[[USA Field Hockey]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=June 26, 2016|page=52|title=Van Sickle stays cool}} {{Open access}}</ref> At age six, she tried out [[soccer]], and in fourth grade, she was introduced to [[field hockey]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/07/26/delaware-field-hockey-duo-bound-olympics-brazil/87056770/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|title=Delaware field hockey duo bound for Olympics in Brazil|date=July 26, 2016|author=Tresolini, Kevin|author-link=Kevin Tresolini}}</ref> She attended [[Tower Hill School]] and was a standout athlete, excelling at field hockey, [[basketball]] and [[lacrosse]].<ref |
Van Sickle was born on January 26, 1990, in [[Wilmington, Delaware]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/132109|website=Olympedia.org|title=Caitlin Van Sickle}}</ref> She played [[golf]] at an early age, with her mother being the head professional and an instructor at [[DuPont Country Club]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012100/https://townsquaredelaware.com/2016/07/14/caitlyn-van-sickle-heads-to-rio-for-olympic-gold/|website=Town Square Delaware|date=July 14, 2016|author=Noonan, Kevin|via=[[Wayback Machine]]|title=Caitlin Van Sickle Heads to Rio for Olympic Gold}}</ref><ref name="auto8">{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/lnp-always-lancaster/143911434/|newspaper=[[LNP Always Lancaster]]|author=[[USA Field Hockey]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=June 26, 2016|page=52|title=Van Sickle stays cool}} {{Open access}}</ref> At age six, she tried out [[soccer]], and in fourth grade, she was introduced to [[field hockey]].<ref name="auto3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/07/26/delaware-field-hockey-duo-bound-olympics-brazil/87056770/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|title=Delaware field hockey duo bound for Olympics in Brazil|date=July 26, 2016|author=Tresolini, Kevin|author-link=Kevin Tresolini}}</ref> She attended [[Tower Hill School]] and was a standout athlete, excelling at field hockey, [[basketball]] and [[lacrosse]].<ref name="auto3"/> |
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Van Sickle was friends with future Olympic basketball player [[Elena Delle Donne]] through sixth grade at Tower Hill; she focused mainly on the sport until 10th grade and competed at [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) basketball tournaments, before deciding to concentrate on field hockey as a [[sophomore]] in high school.<ref |
Van Sickle was friends with future Olympic basketball player [[Elena Delle Donne]] through sixth grade at Tower Hill; she focused mainly on the sport until 10th grade and competed at [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) basketball tournaments, before deciding to concentrate on field hockey as a [[sophomore]] in high school.<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto5">{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143912748/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 26, 2007|page=25, [https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143912819/ 28]|title=Nothing subtle about Van Sickle's collegiate destination|author=Smith, Brian}} {{Open access}}</ref> |
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With the field hockey team, Van Sickle made the varsity squad as a high school [[freshman]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143912927/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|title=Van Sickle discovers true calling|author=Hurlock, Buddy|date=December 13, 2006|page=21, [https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143913032/ 24]}} {{Open access}}</ref> She won a state championship with the team as a [[sophomore]] in 2005, one of three consecutive she played an important role in leading the team to.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.towerhill.org/news-detail?pk=698407|publisher=[[Tower Hill School]]|title=Delaware athletes: Caitlin Van Sickle bleeds UNC blue. Tower Hill standout has helped lead the Tar Heels' title-winning field hockey team|date=April 21, 2011}}</ref> As a [[Junior (education year)|junior]] in 2006, Van Sickle, a midfielder, recorded 10 goals and four assists, which included an assist for the first score of the team's 2–0 state championship victory over [[William Penn High School (Delaware)|William Penn High School]].<ref |
With the field hockey team, Van Sickle made the varsity squad as a high school [[freshman]].<ref name="auto6">{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143912927/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|title=Van Sickle discovers true calling|author=Hurlock, Buddy|date=December 13, 2006|page=21, [https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143913032/ 24]}} {{Open access}}</ref> She won a state championship with the team as a [[sophomore]] in 2005, one of three consecutive she played an important role in leading the team to.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.towerhill.org/news-detail?pk=698407|publisher=[[Tower Hill School]]|title=Delaware athletes: Caitlin Van Sickle bleeds UNC blue. Tower Hill standout has helped lead the Tar Heels' title-winning field hockey team|date=April 21, 2011}}</ref> As a [[Junior (education year)|junior]] in 2006, Van Sickle, a midfielder, recorded 10 goals and four assists, which included an assist for the first score of the team's 2–0 state championship victory over [[William Penn High School (Delaware)|William Penn High School]].<ref name="auto6"/> At the end of the season, she was named by the Delaware Field Hockey Coaches Association as a first-team all-state selection and the state's player of the year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143913988/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 13, 2006|page=24|title=All State Field Hockey First Team}} {{Open access}}</ref> As a [[Senior (education)|senior]], she helped Tower Hill compile an undefeated record of 20–0 while winning their third-straight title; Van Sickle was again chosen first-team all-state and the state player of the year.<ref name="auto5"/> |
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Van Sickle also helped the lacrosse team win three-straight state championships; she was all-state in her last two years and was the Delaware Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year in her final season, after scoring 53 goals and 26 assists as a defender.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143915125/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=June 24, 2008|page=17, [https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal-scott-brozey-4/11193087/ 19]|title=Van Sickle leaves tower Hill as two-sport state player of the year|author=Pyles, Alexander}} {{Open access}}</ref> In the 2008 lacrosse state championship game, against [[St. Andrew's School (Delaware)|St. Andrew's School]], she scored two goals and two assists in the win.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143915300/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=June 10, 2008|page=22|title=Manos, Brozey lacrosse players of year}} {{Open access}}</ref> She also earned second-team all-state honors as a basketball player as a senior.<ref |
Van Sickle also helped the lacrosse team win three-straight state championships; she was all-state in her last two years and was the Delaware Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year in her final season, after scoring 53 goals and 26 assists as a defender.<ref name="auto7">{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143915125/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=June 24, 2008|page=17, [https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal-scott-brozey-4/11193087/ 19]|title=Van Sickle leaves tower Hill as two-sport state player of the year|author=Pyles, Alexander}} {{Open access}}</ref> In the 2008 lacrosse state championship game, against [[St. Andrew's School (Delaware)|St. Andrew's School]], she scored two goals and two assists in the win.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143915300/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=June 10, 2008|page=22|title=Manos, Brozey lacrosse players of year}} {{Open access}}</ref> She also earned second-team all-state honors as a basketball player as a senior.<ref name="auto7"/> One publication also selected Van Sickle as the Delaware High School Athlete of the Year for 2007–2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://desports.org/caitlin-van-sickle/|publisher=[[Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame]]|title=Caitlin Van Sickle}}</ref> |
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In her senior year, Van Sickle was teammates on the lacrosse team with her younger sister, Taylor.<ref |
In her senior year, Van Sickle was teammates on the lacrosse team with her younger sister, Taylor.<ref name="auto7"/> She accepted an [[athletic scholarship]] offer from the [[University of North Carolina]] (UNC) to play field hockey for the [[North Carolina Tar Heels field hockey|North Carolina Tar Heels]], a team that she had grown up a fan of.<ref name="auto5"/> |
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==College career== |
==College career== |
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At UNC, Van Sickle first [[Academic major|majored]] in exercise and sports science, before later switching to communications.<ref |
At UNC, Van Sickle first [[Academic major|majored]] in exercise and sports science, before later switching to communications.<ref name="auto7"/><ref name="auto4">{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143920873/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=April 21, 2011|page=65|title=Van Sickle bleeds UNC blue|author=Jasner, Andy}} {{Open access}}</ref> She joined three fellow Delaware natives with the Tar Heels.<ref name="auto1"/> She [[Redshirt (college sports)|redshirted]] as a freshman in 2008, but still was named the winner of the team's Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year award.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143918933/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 2, 2009|page=116|author=Ireland, Jack|title=UNC salutes local athletes in two sports}} {{Open access}}</ref> After her redshirt year, she became an immediate starter in 2009, starting all 22 games for the team while helping them win the national championship, with Van Sickle recording an assist on the game-winning goal in the title game.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143919355/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 23, 2010|page=60|title=Tower Hill grad helps UNC Tar Heels remain on top}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://goheels.com/sports/field-hockey/roster/coaches/caitlin-van-sickle/4133|publisher=[[North Carolina Tar Heels]]|title=Caitlin Van Sickle}}</ref> |
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As a sophomore, Van Sickle remained a starter, appearing in every game while scoring 12 goals and six assists, and helping the team to a 22–3 record and an appearance in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] championship.<ref |
As a sophomore, Van Sickle remained a starter, appearing in every game while scoring 12 goals and six assists, and helping the team to a 22–3 record and an appearance in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] championship.<ref name="auto1"/> North Carolina lost in the championship to the [[Maryland Terrapins field hockey|Maryland Terrapins]] in double overtime, by a score of 3–2.<ref name="auto1"/> After the season, Van Sickle received numerous honors, including being named first-team [[All-American]], one of four UNC All-[[Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC) selections, All-ACC Tournament, and being named the ACC Defender of the Year.<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-and-observer/143920750/|newspaper=[[The News and Observer]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 4, 2010|page=26|title=Field Hockey}} {{Open access}}</ref> |
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In 2011, Van Sickle helped North Carolina go 23–2, winning the ACC championship while reaching another national championship; she was named All-ACC, first-team All-American, the ACC Defender of the Year, and All-ACC Tournament again, while also being named to the All-NCAA Tournament squad.<ref |
In 2011, Van Sickle helped North Carolina go 23–2, winning the ACC championship while reaching another national championship; she was named All-ACC, first-team All-American, the ACC Defender of the Year, and All-ACC Tournament again, while also being named to the All-NCAA Tournament squad.<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143921211/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 15, 2011|page=55|title=All-tourney team}} {{Open access}}</ref> As a senior in 2012, she helped them reach their fourth-straight NCAA championship, while also winning the ACC crown, and was named the ACC Defender of the Year, All-ACC Tournament, All-ACC, the ACC Tournament [[Most valuable player|Most Valuable Player]], and first-team All-American.<ref name="auto2"/> In her collegiate career, Van Sickle also received three National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) first-team All-Region laurels (and second-team honors as a freshman) and was three times named the UNC most valuable player.<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-news-journal/143923016/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 20, 2012|page=55|title=Van Sickle honored}} {{Open access}}</ref> She received three first-team All-American, three All-ACC Tournament, three All-ACC, and three ACC Defender of the Year honors while also receiving one ACC Tournament MVP selection in her four years as a starter, with four NCAA championship game appearances.<ref name="auto2"/> |
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While at North Carolina, a teammate gave her the nickname "Poppy".<ref |
While at North Carolina, a teammate gave her the nickname "Poppy".<ref name="auto8"/> The nickname is short for the dessert [[Popsicle (brand)|popsicle]], with the teammate noting that Van Sickle's last name sounded similar to it.<ref name="auto8"/> |
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==International career== |
==International career== |
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Van Sickle's first experience with [[USA Field Hockey]] was in 2004, when she became a member of the [[Olympic Development Program]] as part of the Futures squad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usafieldhockey.com/news/2024/march/12/van-sickle-inducted-into-delaware-sports-museum-hof|publisher=[[USA Field Hockey]]|date=March 12, 2024|title=Van Sickle Inducted into Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame}}</ref> She competed a the National Futures Championship and participated in several Junior National Camps.<ref |
Van Sickle's first experience with [[USA Field Hockey]] was in 2004, when she became a member of the [[Olympic Development Program]] as part of the Futures squad.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usafieldhockey.com/news/2024/march/12/van-sickle-inducted-into-delaware-sports-museum-hof|publisher=[[USA Field Hockey]]|date=March 12, 2024|title=Van Sickle Inducted into Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame}}</ref> She competed a the National Futures Championship and participated in several Junior National Camps.<ref name="auto"/> She was part of the High Performance squad for six years before being promoted in 2010 to the national women's under-21 field hockey team.<ref name="auto"/> She was one of 18 players, which included three Tar Heels, selected to tour with the under-21 team in [[Germany]] and [[Ireland]] in 2011, and helped them go 2–1–2 against those countries' junior national teams.<ref name="auto4"/> Van Sickle was promoted to the [[United States women's national field hockey team]] in 2013, following that year's Women's National Championship.<ref name="auto"/> |
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Van Sickle debuted for the team at the Four Nations tournament in [[New Zealand]] in 2013 and helped the team win the silver medal at the [[Women's Pan American Cup]] later in the year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lancasteronline.com/sports/defender-caitlin-van-sickle-announces-her-retirement-from-usa-field-hockey/article_f80a8f24-2074-11ea-9920-237967b35760.html|newspaper=[[LancasterOnline.com]]|title=Defender Caitlin Van Sickle announces her retirement from USA Field Hockey|author=Pugliese, Diana|date=December 16, 2019}}</ref> Two years later, she was an alternate for the national team at the [[2015 Pan American Games]].<ref |
Van Sickle debuted for the team at the Four Nations tournament in [[New Zealand]] in 2013 and helped the team win the silver medal at the [[Women's Pan American Cup]] later in the year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lancasteronline.com/sports/defender-caitlin-van-sickle-announces-her-retirement-from-usa-field-hockey/article_f80a8f24-2074-11ea-9920-237967b35760.html|newspaper=[[LancasterOnline.com]]|title=Defender Caitlin Van Sickle announces her retirement from USA Field Hockey|author=Pugliese, Diana|date=December 16, 2019}}</ref> Two years later, she was an alternate for the national team at the [[2015 Pan American Games]].<ref name="auto3"/> She also played for the national team in their appearance in the [[Women's FIH Hockey World League]], and in the [[Hockey Champions Trophy]] tournament; in the latter she contributed a goal in a 2–2 tie game against [[Australia women's national field hockey team|Australia]].<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/caitlin-van-sickle-853103|publisher=[[Team USA]]|title=Caitlin Van Sickle}}</ref> One of her national team teammates, [[Katelyn Falgowski]], was also her roommate and teammate at UNC.<ref name="auto3"/> |
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On July 1, 2016, Van Sickle was named to the United States women's field hockey team for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]].<ref |
On July 1, 2016, Van Sickle was named to the United States women's field hockey team for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]].<ref name="auto3"/> Van Sickle scored the deciding goal in the team's second game of Olympic preliminary play against Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://delawarepublic.org/post/wilmingtons-van-sickle-helps-boost-us-olympic-field-hockey-win#stream/0 |title=Wilmington's Van Sickle helps boost U.S. to Olympic field hockey win |last=Byrne |first=Tom |date=August 8, 2016 |website=DelawarePublic.org |publisher= |access-date=August 11, 2016}}</ref> She helped the U.S. to a fifth-place finish.<ref name="auto"/> The following year, she competed at the FIH Hockey World League and helped the U.S. earn gold in the semifinals.<ref name="auto"/> She played at the [[2018 Women's Hockey World Cup]] and in 2019 participated in the [[Women's FIH Pro League]].<ref name="auto"/> She helped the U.S. win the bronze medal at the [[2019 Pan American Games]].<ref name="auto"/> |
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Van Sickle retired from field hockey in December 2019, finishing her international career with nine goals in 148 appearances; she was considered "a key element on the defensive line and as a penalty corner inserter" with the national team.<ref |
Van Sickle retired from field hockey in December 2019, finishing her international career with nine goals in 148 appearances; she was considered "a key element on the defensive line and as a penalty corner inserter" with the national team.<ref name="auto"/> |
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==Coaching career and honors== |
==Coaching career and honors== |
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Van Sickle became a coach after her playing career.<ref |
Van Sickle became a coach after her playing career.<ref name="auto"/> She served a year as the director of PowerHouse Field Hockey Club, in [[Wayne, Pennsylvania]], before becoming an assistant coach for the [[Princeton Tigers field hockey|Princeton Tigers]] in 2021.<ref name="auto2"/> She returned to her [[alma mater]], North Carolina, in 2022, as assistant field hockey coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goheels.com/news/2022/1/11/field-hockey-van-sickle-returns-to-chapel-hill|publisher=[[North Carolina Tar Heels]]|title=Van Sickle Returns To Chapel Hill|date=January 11, 2022}}</ref> She has also served as a coach at the 2023 Pan American Cup and at the 2024 FIH World Cup.<ref name="auto"/> |
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North Carolina named their annual defender of the year award after Van Sickle.<ref |
North Carolina named their annual defender of the year award after Van Sickle.<ref name="auto2"/> She was selected for induction into the [[Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/2024/03/13/delaware-sports-hall-of-fame-adds-9-member-class-of-2024/72941987007/|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|title=Power lifter, Phillie Phanatic, sportswriter among Delaware Sports Hall of Fame 2024 class|date=March 13, 2024|author=Holveck, Brandon}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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 Caitlin Van Sickle during the 2019 FIH Pro League game against Great Britain | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
January 26, 1990 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) | ||
| Weight | 128 lb (58 kg) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder / defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | First State Diamonds | ||
| National team | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2019 | United States | 148 | (9) |
Medal record | |||
Caitlin Van Sickle (born January 26, 1990) is an American field hockey player. In July 2016, Van Sickle was named to the United States women's field hockey team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Early life
Van Sickle was born on January 26, 1990, in Wilmington, Delaware.[1] She played golf at an early age, with her mother being the head professional and an instructor at DuPont Country Club.[2][3] At age six, she tried out soccer, and in fourth grade, she was introduced to field hockey.[4] She attended Tower Hill School and was a standout athlete, excelling at field hockey, basketball and lacrosse.[4]
Van Sickle was friends with future Olympic basketball player Elena Delle Donne through sixth grade at Tower Hill; she focused mainly on the sport until 10th grade and competed at Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball tournaments, before deciding to concentrate on field hockey as a sophomore in high school.[4][5]
With the field hockey team, Van Sickle made the varsity squad as a high school freshman.[6] She won a state championship with the team as a sophomore in 2005, one of three consecutive she played an important role in leading the team to.[7] As a junior in 2006, Van Sickle, a midfielder, recorded 10 goals and four assists, which included an assist for the first score of the team's 2–0 state championship victory over William Penn High School.[6] At the end of the season, she was named by the Delaware Field Hockey Coaches Association as a first-team all-state selection and the state's player of the year.[8] As a senior, she helped Tower Hill compile an undefeated record of 20–0 while winning their third-straight title; Van Sickle was again chosen first-team all-state and the state player of the year.[5]
Van Sickle also helped the lacrosse team win three-straight state championships; she was all-state in her last two years and was the Delaware Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year in her final season, after scoring 53 goals and 26 assists as a defender.[9] In the 2008 lacrosse state championship game, against St. Andrew's School, she scored two goals and two assists in the win.[10] She also earned second-team all-state honors as a basketball player as a senior.[9] One publication also selected Van Sickle as the Delaware High School Athlete of the Year for 2007–2008.[11]
In her senior year, Van Sickle was teammates on the lacrosse team with her younger sister, Taylor.[9] She accepted an athletic scholarship offer from the University of North Carolina (UNC) to play field hockey for the North Carolina Tar Heels, a team that she had grown up a fan of.[5]
College career
At UNC, Van Sickle first majored in exercise and sports science, before later switching to communications.[9][12] She joined three fellow Delaware natives with the Tar Heels.[7] She redshirted as a freshman in 2008, but still was named the winner of the team's Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year award.[13] After her redshirt year, she became an immediate starter in 2009, starting all 22 games for the team while helping them win the national championship, with Van Sickle recording an assist on the game-winning goal in the title game.[14][15]
As a sophomore, Van Sickle remained a starter, appearing in every game while scoring 12 goals and six assists, and helping the team to a 22–3 record and an appearance in the NCAA championship.[7] North Carolina lost in the championship to the Maryland Terrapins in double overtime, by a score of 3–2.[7] After the season, Van Sickle received numerous honors, including being named first-team All-American, one of four UNC All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selections, All-ACC Tournament, and being named the ACC Defender of the Year.[15][16]
In 2011, Van Sickle helped North Carolina go 23–2, winning the ACC championship while reaching another national championship; she was named All-ACC, first-team All-American, the ACC Defender of the Year, and All-ACC Tournament again, while also being named to the All-NCAA Tournament squad.[15][17] As a senior in 2012, she helped them reach their fourth-straight NCAA championship, while also winning the ACC crown, and was named the ACC Defender of the Year, All-ACC Tournament, All-ACC, the ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player, and first-team All-American.[15] In her collegiate career, Van Sickle also received three National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) first-team All-Region laurels (and second-team honors as a freshman) and was three times named the UNC most valuable player.[15][18] She received three first-team All-American, three All-ACC Tournament, three All-ACC, and three ACC Defender of the Year honors while also receiving one ACC Tournament MVP selection in her four years as a starter, with four NCAA championship game appearances.[15]
While at North Carolina, a teammate gave her the nickname "Poppy".[3] The nickname is short for the dessert popsicle, with the teammate noting that Van Sickle's last name sounded similar to it.[3]
International career
Van Sickle's first experience with USA Field Hockey was in 2004, when she became a member of the Olympic Development Program as part of the Futures squad.[19] She competed a the National Futures Championship and participated in several Junior National Camps.[19] She was part of the High Performance squad for six years before being promoted in 2010 to the national women's under-21 field hockey team.[19] She was one of 18 players, which included three Tar Heels, selected to tour with the under-21 team in Germany and Ireland in 2011, and helped them go 2–1–2 against those countries' junior national teams.[12] Van Sickle was promoted to the United States women's national field hockey team in 2013, following that year's Women's National Championship.[19]
Van Sickle debuted for the team at the Four Nations tournament in New Zealand in 2013 and helped the team win the silver medal at the Women's Pan American Cup later in the year.[20] Two years later, she was an alternate for the national team at the 2015 Pan American Games.[4] She also played for the national team in their appearance in the Women's FIH Hockey World League, and in the Hockey Champions Trophy tournament; in the latter she contributed a goal in a 2–2 tie game against Australia.[4][21] One of her national team teammates, Katelyn Falgowski, was also her roommate and teammate at UNC.[4]
On July 1, 2016, Van Sickle was named to the United States women's field hockey team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[4] Van Sickle scored the deciding goal in the team's second game of Olympic preliminary play against Australia.[22] She helped the U.S. to a fifth-place finish.[19] The following year, she competed at the FIH Hockey World League and helped the U.S. earn gold in the semifinals.[19] She played at the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup and in 2019 participated in the Women's FIH Pro League.[19] She helped the U.S. win the bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games.[19]
Van Sickle retired from field hockey in December 2019, finishing her international career with nine goals in 148 appearances; she was considered "a key element on the defensive line and as a penalty corner inserter" with the national team.[19]
Coaching career and honors
Van Sickle became a coach after her playing career.[19] She served a year as the director of PowerHouse Field Hockey Club, in Wayne, Pennsylvania, before becoming an assistant coach for the Princeton Tigers in 2021.[15] She returned to her alma mater, North Carolina, in 2022, as assistant field hockey coach.[23] She has also served as a coach at the 2023 Pan American Cup and at the 2024 FIH World Cup.[19]
North Carolina named their annual defender of the year award after Van Sickle.[15] She was selected for induction into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 2024.[24]
References
- ^ "Caitlin Van Sickle". Olympedia.org.
- ^ Noonan, Kevin (July 14, 2016). "Caitlin Van Sickle Heads to Rio for Olympic Gold". Town Square Delaware – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b c USA Field Hockey (June 26, 2016). "Van Sickle stays cool". LNP Always Lancaster. p. 52 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g Tresolini, Kevin (July 26, 2016). "Delaware field hockey duo bound for Olympics in Brazil". The News Journal.
- ^ a b c Smith, Brian (December 26, 2007). "Nothing subtle about Van Sickle's collegiate destination". The News Journal. p. 25, 28 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Hurlock, Buddy (December 13, 2006). "Van Sickle discovers true calling". The News Journal. p. 21, 24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Delaware athletes: Caitlin Van Sickle bleeds UNC blue. Tower Hill standout has helped lead the Tar Heels' title-winning field hockey team". Tower Hill School. April 21, 2011.
- ^ "All State Field Hockey First Team". The News Journal. December 13, 2006. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Pyles, Alexander (June 24, 2008). "Van Sickle leaves tower Hill as two-sport state player of the year". The News Journal. p. 17, 19 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Manos, Brozey lacrosse players of year". The News Journal. June 10, 2008. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Caitlin Van Sickle". Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
- ^ a b Jasner, Andy (April 21, 2011). "Van Sickle bleeds UNC blue". The News Journal. p. 65 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Ireland, Jack (July 2, 2009). "UNC salutes local athletes in two sports". The News Journal. p. 116 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Tower Hill grad helps UNC Tar Heels remain on top". The News Journal. September 23, 2010. p. 60 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Caitlin Van Sickle". North Carolina Tar Heels.
- ^ "Field Hockey". The News and Observer. November 4, 2010. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "All-tourney team". The News Journal. December 15, 2011. p. 55 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Van Sickle honored". The News Journal. December 20, 2012. p. 55 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Van Sickle Inducted into Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame". USA Field Hockey. March 12, 2024.
- ^ Pugliese, Diana (December 16, 2019). "Defender Caitlin Van Sickle announces her retirement from USA Field Hockey". LancasterOnline.com.
- ^ "Caitlin Van Sickle". Team USA.
- ^ Byrne, Tom (August 8, 2016). "Wilmington's Van Sickle helps boost U.S. to Olympic field hockey win". DelawarePublic.org. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- ^ "Van Sickle Returns To Chapel Hill". North Carolina Tar Heels. January 11, 2022.
- ^ Holveck, Brandon (March 13, 2024). "Power lifter, Phillie Phanatic, sportswriter among Delaware Sports Hall of Fame 2024 class". The News Journal.
External links
- Caitlin Van Sickle at Olympedia
- Caitlin Van Sickle at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
- Caitlin Van Sickle on Twitter
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Categories:
- 1990 births
- Living people
- American female field hockey players
- Female field hockey defenders
- Olympic field hockey players for the United States
- Field hockey players at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- North Carolina Tar Heels field hockey players
- Sportspeople from Wilmington, Delaware
- Field hockey players at the 2019 Pan American Games
- Medalists at the 2019 Pan American Games
- Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in field hockey