Lexington Secreto ’21 celebrates her NCAA National Women’s Hockey Championship.
By Bella Welch ’26
From former Choate hockey player to Ohio State University national champion, Lexington Secreto ’21 embodied the gold and blue spirit at the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women’s Hockey Championship. Taking place at the Whittemore Center Arena on March 24, the last eight minutes of the championship determined a close match, resulting in Secreto and the Ohio State Buckeyes defeating the Wisconsin Badgers with a 1-0 victory.
On the road to playing Division I Hockey in college, Secreto embraced the experiences and values instilled in her from her time at Choate for her continued success on the ice. “I have learned so much about what it means to be a student-athlete, and I wouldn’t have been able to adjust as quickly as I did without going to Choate,” Secreto said.
The opportunity to win an NCAA National Title does not come by easily to just any hockey player. Behind the scenes, Secreto and her team made their practices more intense than the games, so the reward of winning was even more pronounced. Secreto and her team’s motto states, “You have to reach the top of the mountain, and then it’ll be easier on the way down.”
Facing the challenges of the pandemic, Secreto’s final season on the Choate Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey team was upended. Still, as a captain, Secreto always found ways to roll with the punches. “She was the perfect goalie for that Covid-19 year. She was a really important bridge to spanning the pre-Covid-19 post-Covid-19 reality show,” Mr. Stanley, the Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey Assistant Coach, said. Secreto’s success derives from her unwavering dedication and ability to handle demanding situations. Due to limited ice time, Secreto resorted to practicing with the Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey team during the unique circumstances of the Covid-19 year.
As team captain, many of her fellow members looked up to her. Current sixth-former on the team Ellie Bissell ’24 said, “She still made an effort to talk to me and reach out to me and walk around campus with me. … Definitely a good role model.”
During her time boarding at Choate, Secreto learned important life skills such as balancing academics with hockey, which shaped her success at Ohio State University. With the guidance of faculty and student mentors, she arrived at practice on time, dressed nicely for game days, and communicated extensively with her teachers and coaches. This skillset has translated well to life at Ohio State University for Secreto as she continues to grow as a student-athlete. “Everything I am today is because of Choate,” Secreto said.
By understanding her strengths and weaknesses, Secreto ensures that she is prepared for any challenges that come her way. “I need to be grounded in knowing my strengths as an athlete and as a person. Just because all the odds are stacked against you doesn’t mean you necessarily have to give in to that pressure,” she said.
Looking ahead, Secreto sees herself striving for more as she aspires to guard the National Championship Title and win it as many times as possible. In the meantime, Secreto looks forward to continuing her studies at Ohio State University.
