Delaware may be a small state, but when it comes to field hockey, it's produced some giants of the game. From Olympic standouts to NCAA champions, the First State has consistently punched above its weight on the national and international stage. Now, as the USA TODAY Sports network celebrates America's 250th anniversary, we're turning the spotlight on the high school legends who put Delaware on the map.
After naming our top football players, it's time to honor the best field hockey stars to ever come out of the state. Our list of 10 all-time greats is packed with athletes who didn't just dominate locally—they went on to represent the U.S. in the Olympics and beyond. Here are just a few of the names you need to know:
The Collegiate Champion
This William Penn High graduate led West Chester to three national titles and earned the prestigious 1980 Broderick Award as the nation's top field hockey player. She was in contention for the U.S. Olympic team that was unfortunately sidelined by the 1980 Moscow boycott, but her national team experience still cemented her legacy.
The Olympic Trailblazer
Katie Falgowski began her national team journey while still at Saint Mark's High School, making her Delaware's only three-time Summer Olympian. With 261 appearances for the U.S. senior team, two NCAA titles at North Carolina, and a school-record 83 career assists, she was a first-team All-American twice and National Player of the Year in 2011. Her gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games and fifth-place Olympic finish in 2016 are just highlights of an extraordinary career.
The ODU Dynasty
Another William Penn product, Hill was instrumental in Old Dominion's three-peat NCAA titles in 1982, 1983, and 1984. She led the 1985 runner-up squad with 29 goals and set an NCAA record with six goals in four tournament games.
These are just a few of the incredible athletes who've made Delaware a powerhouse in field hockey. Now it's your turn to weigh in—who do you think is the state's all-time best? Cast your vote and help us celebrate the legends who started right here at home.