NEB's Carlsen named Female Athlete of the Year.
By: Chris Manning | Towanda Daily Review | June 11, 2012 | Photo courtesy Chris Manning
2012 NTL and District 4 News
Northeast Bradford's Kelsey Carlsen has put together some strong seasons in her four sports but nothing like she did this year.
"I'm glad I can go out senior year and have so much fun the whole time," Carlsen said.
This spring, she performed well in both her sports, medaling the javelin at states with a fourth place finish while also being named to a First Team NTL All-Star for softball.
Despite all the running around, she wouldn't change anything about her choice to do both for the past three years.
"I think there are a lot of people out there that are like, 'you should have done track,'" Carlsen explained. "That's what you're doing in college but I would never give up playing softball in high school. It's a great decision to do both."
The senior especially enjoyed her time on the softball team this year.
"It's been really fun," she said. "I have a great team."
Carlsen had a better season from the plate while continuing her good defensive play from first base. She was a key factor in the Panthers going 22-1 this season while picking up NTL and District IV titles a long the way.
"In the off season I worked really hard to get into better shape and be more ready to play this year," Carlsen explained. "I think it helped a lot."
As for the javelin, she continued to improve as she was much more consistent this year than in the past two.
"I started working with a new coach from East Stroudsburg," credits Carlsen. "He really helped me out a lot. Hopefully in the future he'll keep helping me."
She will now take those javelin skills to LSU.
"I hope I can do great things at LSU," Carlsen remarked. "I would really love that."
Carlsen also excelled at two other sports this season: soccer and basketball.
She continued to play in goal for the Panthers this season.
"It was definitely pretty fun," Carlsen said about being back in goal. "I was on a great team with a lot of really good teammates."
She enjoyed being in goal again this season.
"I love playing goalie," Carlsen said. "I don't know what it is about it but I just really like that position."
In the winter Carlsen helped lead a scrappy Northeast basketball team. She was the team's leading scorer and notched her 1,000 career point.
"That's definitely really special," she said about the milestone. "I had a lot of teammates that helped me a long the way and I had Mr. (Bob) Moore for years as coach and Paul (Burgert) this last year. Always really great coaches and I had a lot of fun."
The senior credits anyone who she met along her winding path that gave her a helping hand.
"I never could have imagined it," Carlsen remarked. "I have so many people who have helped me."
She's also honored to be recognized for her achievements.
"There are so many talented athletes that are really deserving kids in the NTL," Carlsen said. "I'm really honored to have gotten this."
