Field hockey program honors Mikenzie Helphenstine
OCEAN CITY – Mikenzie Helphenstine has been a tenacious fighter from her days playing field hockey and basketball for Ocean City High School, during her collegiate athletic career, coaching different teams in the local school district through her ongoing battle for her life against cancer.
The impact Helphenstine (formerly Custer) has made on those around her was evident last week. She was surprised at the end of the Red Raider field hockey game against Mainland Regional when daughter Andi, a junior and field hockey player, led her onto the field at Carey Stadium. They were joined by son Kyle and husband Clint, a captain in the Ocean City Police Department.
Athletic Director Geoff Haines read a tribute over the loudspeakers and then former teammates, coaches, players, families and friends ran onto the field to join her in a group picture at midfield in an outpouring of love for the 2020-21 Ocean City Primary School Teacher of the Year.
“We want to take a moment to recognize one of the strongest cancer fighters we know and love, Mikenzie Helphenstine. Also known affectionately as Coach H to so many and mom to our junior captain, Andi,” Haines said.
“Coach H has been an integral part of the Ocean City field hockey program for decades. She has filled many roles – player, coach, booster club president, parent and fan. Regardless of her title, she has always been a role model for every girl who wears the Red Raider (logo). Our program is built on simple foundations – teamwork, ethic and grit. Coach H embodies these pillars and exhibits them daily, whether having a good day or a bad day, Coach H always puts the team first.
“She is willing to help anyone with anything at any time,” he said, adding she is an exemplary role model for the girls.
“Officially you won’t find someone with a stronger work ethic than Coach H. She is constantly working to make things better for the future of this program.” He pointed out she currently coaches youth teams and the intermediate field hockey program, “all while preparing young girls for the high school team.”
“Coach H has grit. A person with true grit has passion and perseverance. Coach H loves field hockey. Her love for the team is evident by her passion for the program and the people in it. If you were to look up perseverance in the dictionary, you would see a picture of Coach H because she is persistent in fighting cancer day after day, year after year, with focus and determination. If you learn nothing else from Coach H over your field hockey career … you will truly find a day in the future when you need to put your big-girl pants on. When that day comes, I hope you think of Coach H and smile.
“Coach H, we fight with you, we fight for you and we love you,” Haines said.
Megan (Edwards) Rattray was a longtime teammate of Helphenstine. Rattray graduated in 1998 and Helphenstine graduated in 1997.
“She is such as an inspiration to all of us and I just feel so proud that I got to play so many years of field hockey with her,” Rattray said. “She graduated the year before me and we played three years together in high school and we also played together at Towson University for three years. A lot of my field hockey memories include Mikenzie.”
Asked to describe her former teammate, she summed it up in a few words.
“She was such a leader on the field and was always out there talking to the girls and pumping them up,” Rattray said. “The only words I can think of when I think of Mikenzie on the field is a fighter and a leader.” She noted Helphenine was just as tenacious as a coach as when she was a player.
Rattray was on the first OCHS field hockey team to win a state championship. The program has been one of the most outstanding in the state with 10 state titles starting in fall 1997.
“I have no words,” Jane Custer, Helphenstine’s mother, said after the ceremony while she was crying. “It’s a good cry,” she added. “It’s tears of joy living in a community like this and for this celebration. I’m humbled and grateful. Every day is a gift for my daughter.”
Ocean City 4
Mainland 1
The field hockey game between Ocean City and Mainland was a fierce fight as usual between rivals, but became secondary to the post-game activities.
Ocean City won, 4-1.
Red Raider Camryn Flynn started the scoring for Ocean City with a penalty stroke at 11:28 of the first period.
Teammate Carly Hanin, assisted by Julia Neff, scored with 9:40 remaining and Neff added a second period score at 5:44 with an assist by Nicole Carey.
Mustang Emily Smith brought the score to 3-1 when she knocked one in from in front of Ocean City’s goal with 3:16 left in the second period. Julianna Medina was credited with the assist.
Neff picked up her second assist with 7:09 left in the third period on Sophia Tucker’s score, making the final 4-1. No one scored in the fourth period.
One of the busiest players on the field was Mainland goalie Farley O’Brien. Although the Red Raiders were able to score four times, O’Brien rebuffed 20 shots in the game.
The Mainland girls are now 9-8-1 on the season.
Ocean City is 15-2. Ocean City lost to Haddonfield 3-2 Saturday in an out-of-conference game, and to Egg Harbor Township in overtime earlier in the season. The Red Raiders avenged the loss to EHT when they met Oct. 6. The game again went to overtime with Hanin scoring, assisted by Neff.
Ocean City and EHT are atop the American Conference with matching 13-1 records courtesy of their losses to each other. Hammonton is 14-2 overall.
St. Joseph’s of Hammonton leads the National Conference with a 12-2 record (13-2 overall). Lower Cape May is ranked right below St. Joseph’s with a 13-2 conference record, including a 1-0 defeat of St. Joseph’s Oct. 14.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
