Staff Report
South Jersey Glory Days Correspondent Brian Tortella recently caught up with Gloucester County Institute of Technology field hockey senior Rose Vinciguerra for a Q&A. Vinciguerra has helped the Cheetah’s get off to a 3-0-1 start, including 1-0-1 in the Tri-County Conference’s Royal Division. GCIT travels to Kingsway on Monday for a big matchup with the three-time defending state champion Dragons.
Tortella: How old were you when you started playing field hockey and what got you into it?
Vinciguerra: I was 13 when I started. I played street hockey my whole life before it and decided to try out something a little different, and ended up falling in love with it.
Tortella: What was your most memorable moment, play or game from your high school career?
Vinciguerra: Hosting the first round of playoffs against Manalapan last year. Half of the school came outside to watch and cheer us on, and we ended up having a clean 4-0 win.
Tortella: What do you like most about your coaches at GCIT?
Vinciguerra: I like their tough-love style of coaching.
Tortella: What do you like most about GCIT outside of athletics?
Vinciguerra: I like how everyone comes from a different sending district. It was fun making friends throughout the year because everyone came from somewhere different.
Tortella: Who was your biggest inspiration growing up?
Vinciguerra: My parents. They taught me hard work and their stories have always been admirable to me.
Tortella: What are some hobbies you have outside of field hockey?
Vinciguerra: I love to shop and hang out with my friends. I also enjoy baking in my free time.
Tortella: What do you believe is the greatest challenge most high school athletes face today?
Vinciguerra: I think confidence is the biggest issue in all high school athletes. Competing at this level while also dealing with the usual “teenage” emotions and doubts usually leaves high school athletes with issues in the confidence of their abilities.
Tortella: What would you tell your freshman self if you could go back to your first day of high school? What advice would you give?
Vinciguerra: To live in the moment and to make friends with everybody!
Tortella: Who is your best friend in sports?
Vinciguerra: Lily Fleming.
Tortella: Go-to snack food?
Vinciguerra: Pineapple.
Tortella: If someone gave you a plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Vinciguerra: Italy.
Tortella: Favorite artist and song?
Vinciguerra: I have too many favorite artists to pick, but my favorite song is “Waves” by Kanye West.
Tortella: What do you see yourself accomplishing in the next 10 years?
Vinciguerra: Hopefully be married and successful.
Tortella: Your cousin, Mateo, is one of the best heavyweight wrestlers in the country for Woodstown and is the favorite to win the state title this season. Does great athletic genetics run in the family?
Vinciguerra: I think that our family has always been athletic, but I also think that hard work runs deep in our family, which definitely is a factor in athletic achievements.
Contact Brian Tortella: btortreportssj@gmail.com.
