The Sun One-On-One … with Haddonfield junior Bridget McCormick
The Haddonfield junior field hockey standout has aspirations of playing for an academically strong Division-1 college, following her older sister’s footsteps. But first, more state titles in high school.
Bridget McCormick is a middle child, but, technically, so are five of her brothers and sisters.
The Haddonfield Memorial High School field hockey standout comes from a family that’s nearly big enough to field its own hockey team. McCormick is the second-oldest girl in the group and, naturally, idolizes her sister, Jaimie, who is two years older and playing hockey at Columbia University.
Before the latest McCormick graduates from Haddonfield, the family is hoping to continue to leave its legacy on one of the most successful programs in New Jersey. Haddonfield field hockey has won nine state championships since they were first awarded in 1975; only five schools have won more.
The Bulldawgs have appeared in each of the last three Group 1 state title games and enter this month’s NJSIAA postseason as the back-to-back Group 1 champions. McCormick took part in the latest episode of The Sun One-On-One before Haddonfield’s playoffs got underway last week.
The Sun: You guys have won state championships in each of the last two years. Is there pressure to three-pete?
McCormick: Every single year I think there’s a target on our back. We just have to focus on one game at a time. Everyone is out to beat Haddonfield all the time, so, we just have to try to play hard every single game. We don’t look forward that much.
The Sun: What’s your favorite single thing about this team? Because even though you won last year and the year before, every year is different in high school with new players and kids graduating.
McCormick: I really like how close we are. We’re not just a team. We’re really close, like a family to me. I think we’ve all grown up together, we all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and we play and utilize each other’s strengths and help with each other’s weaknesses. And it’s really helpful.
The Sun: That makes sense.
When was the first time you ever picked up a stick?
McCormick: Third grade. My older sister Jaimie played in second grade to try it out and then I played. And now my other sisters played, too.
The Sun: How many sisters?
McCormick: Four. I’m the second-oldest.
The Sun: How long ago was your older sister here?
McCormick: She graduated last year. She plays at Columbia now. I love watching her play.
The Sun: That probably answers my next question: Is she your field hockey influence?
McCormick: Yes. Yes, definitely.
The Sun: Do you play any other sports?
McCormick: Winter track and lacrosse.
The Sun: Did you know that the movie “Halloween” took place in Haddonfield.
McCormick: Yes. Illinois.
The Sun: Haddonfield, Illinois. But you know why that is, right?
McCormick: No.
The Sun: The writer and producer was from Haddonfield, New Jersey.
McCormick: Really?
The Sun: Yeah, her name was Debra Hill.
McCormick: What?!
The Sun: She was one of the writers and producers. She was very influential, a pioneer for women filmmakers.
OTD John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) had its theatrical release and spawned the slasher cycle. It also initiated the convention of the final girl, in this instance Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie, who survives the onslaughts of the serial killer, through moral fortitude and pluck. https://t.co/QY9LVP5avU
McCormick: I was just watching that the other night. I didn’t get to see the new one yet.
The Sun: Me neither.
McCormick: I want to see it.
The Sun: What are you going as for Halloween?
McCormick: We’re going as Barbie, the juniors.
The Sun: So you’re just a junior. So you can win a state title in field hockey all four years.
Possibly. [Laughs].
The Sun: Your sister didn’t do that, right?
McCormick: She lost her sophomore year and then (Haddonfield) won the next two years.
The Sun: So you can top her in that?
McCormick: Yeah I can [laughs].
The Sun: Are you going to play hockey in college?
McCormick: Yes.
The Sun: Do you know where yet?
McCormick: I don’t know, but I’m hoping to decide in November.
The Sun: Hoping to follow your sister?
McCormick: Mmm Hmm. [Laughs]
The Sun: Do you know what you want to major in?
McCormick: No, I’m not sure. I’m still exploring.
The Sun: What’s your favorite class here at Haddonfield?
McCormick: Spanish.
The Sun: Why?
McCormick: I just really like it. My teammates are all pretty good at it, too. … I want to go study abroad. My brother did that in high school.
The Sun: So wait, you have a brother too?
McCormick: I have three brothers.
The Sun: Oh my goodness.
McCormick: [Laughs]
The Sun: Are they all older?
McCormick: Um, so my oldest brother goes to St. Joe’s, he plays rugby. The second-oldest goes to Georgetown and plays rugby.
The Sun: So help me out here, that’s six or seven McCormicks?
McCormick: There are eight of us total, including me.
The Sun: That’s a huge family, bigger than the Brady Bunch. [Laughs]
McCormick: [Laughs]. Griffin is at St. Joe’s, Jack is a sophomore at Georgetown, Jaimie is at Columbia. Then me. Katie is a sophomore (at Haddonfield), Kerry is in eighth grade, Michael is in sixth grade, and Casey is in fourth grade.
The Sun: Do you have any favorite teachers here at Haddonfield?
McCormick: My Spanish teacher freshman year, Senorita (Framary) DeLaCruz.
The Sun: Who is your funniest teammate?
McCormick: Abby Marthins.
The Sun: Why?
McCormick: I’ve been playing with her since sixth grade all the way up. She’s been my best friend in field hockey.
The Sun: Who is the smartest girl on the team?
McCormick: Hmmm. I don’t know. I have no idea.
The Sun: Your sister went to Columbia so maybe she’d win that award last year.
McCormick: [Laughs]. We’ve never talked about that.
The Sun: That’s OK, if you are all good in school, that’s good.
Do you have a favorite food?
McCormick: Chinese food.
The Sun: How about a favorite TV show?
McCormick: Any cooking show. I love cooking.
The Sun: If you’re at the state tournament and you can come out to any song during intros, what are you coming out to?
McCormick: “Hustle.” I don’t know who it’s by, but we just always come out on the field playing that song.
The Sun: Last question: If all of South Jersey had a pickup game, and you had first pick, who do you pick? It can be anyone from any team.
McCormick: Can it be someone who graduated?
The Sun: Sure.
McCormick: Jaimie. My sister. She knows me the best, playing-wise.
The Sun: OK, that’s fine, you can pick your sister.
McCormick: [Laughs].
