Ruby Lenhard ’26 is a part of the South girls hockey team. Lenhard has been playing on the team since her freshman year. Lenhard is a leading figure on the team. In her senior year, she took on the role of captain.
Lenhard’s support and energy are noticeable both on and off the ice. Having her on the team makes a huge difference, and her teammate, Sydney Eickhorst ’26, recognizes it.
“Shes always trying the hardest in everything, it sets a good expectation for everyone else,” Eickhorst said. “If someone is having a bad day, she helps them out and is always making an extra effort.”
Lenhard has been playing hockey for 15 years and has learned many lessons that have helped her to where she is now. Off the ice, Lenhard faces the same issues that many other student-athletes have with balancing sports and school.
“I’m able to balance sports, friends and school by setting separate times of day for each, which makes it a lot easier for me,” Lenhard said.
Coach Lexi Bohlinger sees how much effort Lenhard puts in on and off the ice. Bohlinger sees how Lenhard helps the team to bounce back from a tough shift or rough period.
“I’d say she goes out there and she leads by example,” Bohlinger said. “She hits the ice, knows what she has to do and gets the job done. Ruby scored the game-winning goal in the semifinals in overtime, my first year at South. That took us to the state championship game. I will never forget that.”
Hockey is a game of quick decisions, and having a good mindset during high-pressure situations like breakaways matters. While physical speed gets you to the net, your mind has to be as fast as your feet; it is a mental game.
“All of my coaches have told me since I was around 7-years-old that hockey is a sport where if you think for too long, the puck will get taken from you,” Lenhard said. “On a high-pressure play, I always take a split second to look up and see if there’s a better option, and if there is, I immediately make the play; however, on a breakaway, I’m focused on my feet moving them as fast as possible even if I’m gassed.”
Through every practice, win and tough loss, the sport of hockey has taught Lenhard many lessons about herself.
“The most Important thing I’ve learned is to always make friends and talk to your teammates,” Lenhard. “Having lifelong friends on each team makes practices, games and even school so much more fun.”
