Nina Kucharczyk puts a new spin on being busy, even for a Harvard student. Aside from balancing classes, clubs, and a social life, the New York native is competing on not one, but two varsity athletic teams. Officially recruited for lacrosse, Kucharczyk recently joined the field hockey team as a walk-on after participating in a few practices with the Crimson squad.

The key to her success—love for sports.

“Nina just loves to play,” Kucharczyk’s mother said of the freshman. “That’s what sets her apart. She’s not the most talented player, but she is the most competitive and passionate.”

During high school Kucharczyk was also a multi-sport athlete, playing field hockey and lacrosse, as well as running indoor track.

When the multi-sport standout arrived at Harvard, she intended to focus on lacrosse. But due to the field hockey team’s small size, Harvard coach Sue Caples issued an open invitation to those athletes with experience in the sport to join the team for some full-field scrimmages. After trying it out, Kucharczyk realized this was a chance she couldn’t pass up.

“Coach Caples approached me after a scrimmage and offered a spot on the team,” Kucharczyk said. “This was such a great opportunity that I might never have had at another place.”

Danielle Gallagher, Kucharczyk’s high school lacrosse coach, and Steve Sproul, her high school field hockey and indoor track coach, are not surprised by her decision to play two sports.

“It’s tough for college kids to play more than one sport,” Gallagher said. “But Nina is such a well-balanced person, and is able to have competitiveness not only on the field, but in the classroom and in life.”

“During high school,” Sproul recalled, “Nina was training for the Indoor National Track and Field meet while practicing and competing in varsity lacrosse. She was able to do both exceptionally well, which is not something many athletes can manage.”

Nina feels the pressure of her new commitment to two varsity sports, but is not worried about coping.

“The Ivy League makes [playing two sports] do-able.” Kucharczyk said. “I’ll be busy of course, but it’s manageable. The coaches and my teammates are great, and have been really supportive and welcoming.”

Kucharczyk’s Harvard teammates, from both field hockey and lacrosse, appreciate her drive.

“The fact that Nina is playing two varsity sports while still going to school at Harvard shows the kind of person she is,” said junior lacrosse player Jess Halpern. “She is a really hard and great worker...and has already improved in the two months she’s been here.”

“Obviously being able to step on the field hockey team so late in the season is a difficult thing to do,” said field hockey co-captain Elizabeth Goodman-Bacon, “but [Nina] has already been a great asset and has fit in seamlessly. It’s a testament to her character and athleticism that she is able to balance two Division I athletic teams.”

Kucharczyk’s athleticism is evident from the moment she takes the field, especially through her aggression and speed.