The Saint Joseph's field hockey program will welcome 10 new student-athletes for the 2016 season.  Over the coming weeks, we'll introduce Hawk fans to the new additions, one by one. This week: Gail Podlesny.

Fredericksburg, Virginia, native Gail Podlesny is the newest member of the Saint Joseph's field hockey program, joining the Hawks in time for the 2016 season.  Podlesny was a standout defender and midfielder at Stafford High School.

Podlesny was named the Northern Virginia Player of the Year as a senior and earned First Team All-State and All-Area honors as well.  A two-year team captain, she was named Stafford's Most Valuable Player and the conference Player of the Year after leading Stafford to a league championship and an appearance in the state semifinals for the third time in four years.

As a junior, Podlesny earned All-Conference First Team and All-Region Second Team accolades as well as All-Area Honorable Mention status.  During her career at Stafford, she was a part of a regional championship squad, a pair of regional runners-up, two conference titles, and four appearances in the conference championship game.

She was also a member of Stafford's 2014 conference champion swimming team, and serves as the Senior Class President.

“I am really excited to be a part of the field hockey program at Saint Joseph's,” Podlesny said.  “The coaches and players are so welcoming and I feel like I will be able to learn so much from all of them.”

Podlesny is a member of the High Voltage club program, where she was a member of the club's 2014 National Field Hockey Festival pool championship squad.  She also played for High Voltage in the 2014 National Club Championship and the 2015 National Indoor Tournament.

“The first time I ever visited SJU, I just fell completely in love with the campus and the people,” Podlesny said of choosing to become a Hawk.  “My religion is very important to me as well, and the fact that Saint Joseph's is a Jesuit school really helped me in my decision.”

“Gail's contagious effort and class both on and off the field will have a great impact on our program,” Saint Joseph's head coach Lynn Farquhar said.  “Her leadership on the field helped drive Stafford High School to a conference championship, and her leadership off the field is on display in her duties as class president.”

Podlesny and the rest of the new Hawks will join the field hockey program in time for the 2016 season.