Chloe Londono-Ayr is a senior tri-captain on Holliston High’s field hockey team that was battling to make it three consecutive playoff appearances at Local Town Pages deadline. Although the Panthers’ tourney fate was still undecided (6-6-2 record), their star midfielder’s future is set — she’ll be playing the sport in Colombia next year.
The Panthers’ center midfielder enjoyed tournament competition the last two years, especially as a sophomore when Holliston clinched the Tri Valley League championship. The excitement that surrounds playoff field hockey might not occur this fall, and that will create some sadness for Londono-Ayr because she considers her teammates a family. Her passion for the “family,’’ however, will never fade, regardless of the Panthers’ playoff status.
“We lost five starters from last year, but we’ve worked hard and put forth the effort,’’ she emphasized. “I love being on the team, and I have great passion for my teammates. The girls supported me and I consider them all super role models.’’
Playing in Colombia next year is a new wrinkle for Londono-Ayr, a decision she’s carefully mulled. She wants to take a year off after graduation in June and play club soccer in Colombia. College field hockey will follow in the fall of 2019.
“My grandmother lives in Colombia, and that’s where I’ll stay,’’ she said. “I’ve been to the country twice. Field hockey is a new and growing sport in Colombia, played mostly by men. The club team I’ll join will be a men’s squad, and its Spanish name translates to ‘pioneers.’ We’ll practice twice a week and play games on the weekend.’’
The 5-foot-2 Londono-Ayr said she’ll spend the summer after graduation with her friends in Holliston, then depart for Colombia next September. She’s eager to sharpen her skills and her stamina in South America.
“In Colombia, players are still learning the game, but I hope to improve my skills and endurance by playing against men,’’ she emphasized. “The altitude is high there, so my training will help my endurance. Playing against older men will challenge me, allow me to be more flexible and versatile and hopefully improve my offense.’’
A good student who’s vice president of her class, Londono-Ayr currently is applying to about six colleges, primarily Division 2 and 3 schools. She’s working on a deferred acceptance. “I hope to get accepted this school year, defer my attendance, then return to the States and begin college in 2019,’’ she noted. “I’ll major in either pre-med or nursing.’’
A vocal captain who’s been on the varsity for four years, Londono-Ayr has played defender, link and midfield. “I like playing as a midfielder, because it’s like being the quarterback in football,’’ she said. “You see the field totally, you’re always in transition and you have the option to dribble or pass. The key is using your instincts to your advantage.’’
Her coach, Alyssa Wesoly, labels Londono-Ayr as Holliston’s best distributor on offense and one of the Panthers’ top players on defense. “Chloe has a high field hockey IQ, her stick skills are excellent, and she can dodge and distribute the ball effectively,’’ Wesoly said. “Her passing is accurate, long or short, and she handles penalty corners well. Her decision to take a gap year is a mature move. She’s definitely a collegiate prospect.’’
A deliberate competitor, Londono-Ayr relies on an aggressive style when she’s in midfield. She says she’d like to become more aggressive on defense for a full game. But, she wasn’t bashful on defense when she was challenged twice as a freshman.
“Our starting defender got hurt in my first game and coach Wesoly asked me if I was ready to go in,’’ Londono-Ayr recalled. “I was terrified but I played, and did okay. She showed that she believed in me and that really helped my confidence. Later, in a game against top-rival Dover-Sherborn, I was assigned to mark their best scorer (Caroline Bono). I held my own and kept her scoreless. She’s now playing at Holy Cross.’’
The 17-year-old midfielder, who was a TVL all-star as a sophomore, rates that season as her top thrill, because Holliston captured the TVL crown. “That’s a fond memory,’’ she said. “That team was close-knit, we worked hard in the summer on our skills and won the title.’’
Calling her coach “a great motivator whose approach is positive,’’ Londono-Ayr was glad she was a captain with Addie Raymer and Cayla Olson. “Addie is our goalie and Cayla plays defense,’’ she said. “Both are talented and we worked well together.’’
Relying on an athletic philosophy that stresses hard work, Londono-Ayr also believes that reaching one’s potential is a key to winning and enjoying a sport. “It’s also important to be present in a specific moment,’’ she emphasized. “When we won the TVL title, it was significant to embrace it, feel it and react to the moment.’’
Londono-Ayr almost passed up field hockey for volleyball but her former babysitter convinced her to try field hockey. “She gave me a stick, shin guards, a bag and a ball,’’ she recalled. “Addie and I were leaning towards volleyball, but we changed our minds and played field hockey as seventh graders.’’
Now, six years later, Londono-Ayr is preparing to close the book on one chapter of field hockey but will soon pursue the sport in Colombia. Her parents, especially her father who was born in Colombia, are very supportive of her decision and her desire to experience a different culture.
“I wanted to have a different experience than others,’’ she said. “I can take a breather from school for a year, learn Spanish and still explore my passion for field hockey.
Chloe Londono-Ayr’s year in Colombia should be a dynamic venture for a high-caliber student athlete.
Issue Date:
November, 2017
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