KUTZTOWN, Pa. – This fall, six senior student-athletes from various Kutztown athletic programs will embark on their final collegiate seasons in Maroon and Gold. These Golden Bears reflected on some of their past milestones and looked forward to future endeavors for one last run.
 
Paige Bucher (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) from field hockey, Kyree Butler (Ambler, Pa./Upper Dublin) of the football team, women's volleyball's Kristina Diaz (Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park), Maura Lenhart (Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh) and Robby Lloyd (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) from the women's and men's cross country teams and Morgan O'Donnell (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin) of women's soccer headline the senior spotlight. Each student-athlete answered four different questions.
 
Why did you choose to attend Kutztown 4-5 years ago?
 
Bucher – I chose KU because it felt like the perfect place for me to grow both on and off the field. I am a big family person and it was important to me that I wasn't too far from home. I loved the field hockey program and coaches. Looking back, I'm so grateful I chose Kutztown because it has truly become home.
 
Butler – I chose KU because of the genuine connection I was able to make with the coaches that recruited me.
 
Diaz – I chose KU because I loved the campus and how welcoming everyone was when I first visited. I knew it was a place where I could grow both as a student and an athlete. I'm so glad I chose KU and have gotten to spend these four years here. 
 
Lenhart – I chose Kutztown because I liked the team and coaches and it seemed like a fun environment when I visited.
 
Lloyd – I chose KU four years ago for the Sport Management Program, the campus, and the opportunity to run collegiately.
 
O'Donnell – Every time someone asks me this, I always say, after coming to KU for a visit I just knew it was the place for me. I really liked the campus, it's not too far from home, the soccer program is successful and coached by amazing people. It was so different from any other visit I had been on, something about it just stood out to me and I knew this was the place I wanted to come to and grow athletically and academically. 
 
What is your favorite athletic moment so far in your career?
 
Bucher – Winning the 2023 National Championship will always be one of my favorite memories. Being able to celebrate that with my teammates was something I'll never forget. But some of my favorite memories have been the moments off the field. Having Bible studies together and growing closer as a team, the final fours, dancing in the lock room together before every game are all moments that mean so much to me. Looking back, it's hard to pick just one because it's really the people that have made these four years so special.
 
Butler – My favorite memory so far would have to be when we were able to 3-peat last year, because all of the focus and preparation that went into the season.
 
Diaz – My favorite athletic moment so far was beating Shippensburg on Senior Day last year. It was such a special way to celebrate our seniors and a great memory to share with my teammates.
 
Lenhart – My favorite athletic moment so far was probably winning the home meet last year.
 
Lloyd – My favorite athletic moment so far was placing third in the 5k at indoor PSACs 2026.
 
O'Donnell – There's a lot, but one that comes to mind was when we were in the second round of the NCAA tournament my sophomore year. Sadly, the majority of the season I was out from a very strange pinky incident, but we were playing Gannon and we were down 2-1, in the 81st minute Maura Day (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Abington) scored an absolutely beautiful goal to tie the game and she came running over to the sideline so we could all celebrate with her. We sadly did not end up winning that game, but even with the loss that was one of my favorite moments, it was just amazing.
 
As a senior, how do you hope to lead the team this season?
 
Bucher – I hope to lead through the knowledge and experience I've gained over the past four years. I want to lead with character by being dependable, respectful, and encouraging. Most importantly, I will give my all in every practice, game and opportunity to support my teammates and represent the program.
 
Butler – This year I hope to get better at being a vocal leader, as I prefer lead by example with my actions.
 
Diaz – I want every player on this team to know their value, regardless of their year or role. To me, leadership means building confidence in others and creating an environment where we can all compete and push each other to be better.
 
Lenhart – As a senior I hope to lead by example and keep the team atmosphere supportive.
 
Lloyd – I hope to lead the team by example through my hard work ethic and hopefully, my teammates will continue it after I am gone.
 
O'Donnell – As someone who has been with this team for four years and has had many ups and downs, I want to be able to be a support system for the awesome group around me. I want to be able to uplift them and push them to be the best they can be. We're all in this together, we're a family, I want to pick people up when they're down or frustrated and know that my teammates would do the same for me. 
 
What are you looking forward to in your final season and then your future?
 
Bucher – I'm looking forward to competing with the girls I've grown so close with and enjoying all the little moments that I know I'll miss. I am most looking forward to making it to Missouri and winning another national championship. After college, I'm excited to start the next chapter and become an elementary teacher. I'm really looking forward to taking everything I've learned at Kutztown, both in the classroom and through field hockey, and bringing it with me into my career.
 
Butler – I'm looking forward to finishing the season with the ending we want by putting my best foot forward in all aspects of leadership and preparation.
 
Diaz – This season, I want to make the most of every moment and enjoy my final year with my teammates. After volleyball, I'm excited to take the work ethic and lessons I've learned as an athlete into the professional world and start the next chapter.
 
Lenhart – I'm looking forward to regionals later on this season.
 
Lloyd – I am looking forward to another great year with my teammates, with the goal of taking home the PSAC cross country title. Following my last year, I will complete my MBA program by Fall of 2027.
 
O'Donnell – The biggest thing I am looking forward to this season is getting the opportunity to be able to get this team back to a conference final and finally bring a championship back for this program, all the women who have played here before me, and especially our coaches (mainly because our GK will let us shave her head if we win lol). Other than the deals we have with our coaches, this program is overdue for a conference title, and it would be amazing if we can get it done this year. As much as I don't want to hang up the cleats and gloves, I am excited to see what my future holds. I would love to get into coaching and be a support system for young goalkeepers and help them reach their goals and potential.