Athlete of the Issue: Keira Austen

As a Deerfield cheerleader, tri-varsity athlete, and an incoming student-athlete for the Brown University hockey team, Keira Austen ’26 joined Deerfield as a freshman. She had primarily hoped to play for the Girls’ Varsity Hockey team, but also participated and made the team for both the Girls’ Varsity Soccer and the Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse. 

Soccer was one of Austen’s first sports, often playing with her sister, Olivia Austen ’27 in their backyard. Both of Austen’s parents played Division I Soccer and this further influenced her to begin her athletic journey with the sport at a young age. 

Some of Austen’s favorite Deerfield memories come from the soccer team. She recalled the soccer pre-season trip in Spain this summer, where Austen and her teammates “[bonded] on the long bus rides, singing in Pace’s bodega, and going to watch pro soccer games.” In addition, in Austen's sophomore year, the soccer team beat Choate Rosemary School 2-1 during Choate day despite a large disadvantage in rankings. She emphasized that this was “genuinely the best feeling ever.”  

Austen recalled how one of her happiest seasons was freshman year soccer as she progressed throughout her time at Deerfield as there was less pressure on her. She felt that each year came with “more and more pressure.” Nonetheless, as Austen progressed through Deerfield she gained more responsibility, eventually becoming captain of the team her senior year. Despite the added responsibility she said she still enjoys playing soccer as the added pressure makes “it [playing soccer] way more fun.” 

On and off the field, Austen works with the co-captains to care for and cultivate a healthy team culture. “[Austen] is such a great teammate and I think our leadership styles worked well together … On the field, she has such a strong presence and I think the rest of our team, specifically underclassmen, really looked up to her,” said co-captain Eleanor DuPont ’26. When Austen was injured, DuPont said she   “got to experience how she cheered on her teammates and continued to bring the energy even as a captain on the bench.”

Moreover, Austen started lacrosse in seventh grade because the sport was popular in her town. As a freshman, Austen played defense on the Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team. Austen said that lacrosse is her newest commitment yet still enjoys playing on the team, describing playing lacrosse as a “zero stress kinda sport” where she can relax and have fun with her teammates. 

Specifically, Austen mentioned on the pre-season lacrosse trip, the team would go to the “shark attack capital of the world, New Smyrna Beach” each year. “[The trip was] one of the most fun things all year,” she said. 

However, hockey is her favorite because it was deemed one of the “cooler” sports for her. Austen mentions that when she was younger she figure skated and after she would see the “big girls” playing hockey, from then on she decided she wanted to play hockey. 

Austen got her commitment letter to play Division I Hockey for Brown University in her sophomore year. Expressing gratitude, she said that she “couldn’t have gotten that offer without my teammates on Mid Fairfield and Deerfield and my sister, Olivia.” Austen noted that she’s excited to spend another 3 years with her sister who has also committed to Brown University after Deerfield. 

Assistant Coach of the Girls’ Varsity Hockey Team Toby Emerson explained Austen in three words; a hockey player who is “nasty, skilled, and strong.” He also noted how Austen learned throughout her years on the team to be “less hard on herself,” which Mr. Emerson believes is an important skill for a defensive hockey player like herself. 

Despite still being a little tough on herself, Mr. Emerson explained that Austen always makes sure her teammates are supported. When she makes a mistake in a shift, or when she is on the ice, her next shift she plays harder and always comes back from each mistake while managing to stay positive no matter the challenge. Mr. Emerson highlighted Austen’s knack for “hard work, grit and toughness,” showcasing the many facets of Austen as an athlete and person.  

Reflecting on her Deerfield sports journey, Austen hopes to enjoy the last seasons of her senior year. “[I feel like I have] a family on each team … [and] just want to have the most fun with my teammates and try to savor every last moment of playing for Deerfield.”