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Photo by: Nat LeDonne / Duke Athletics
Leading by Example: Megan Maransky's Field Hockey Journey
11/5/2024 9:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
If you were to wander around Duke's campus, chances are you could easily spot a field hockey player—or even a group of them—in the crowd. The Duke field hockey program radiates a unique sense of unity and authenticity that's simply contagious.
This positive environment starts with the coaching staff, whose leadership sets the tone and trickles down to the team captains, guiding the Blue Devils both on and off the field.
Among the players, one who takes pride in fostering this positive team dynamic is none other than senior captain, Megan Maransky.
When Megan Maransky committed to Duke's field hockey program as a high school sophomore, she had years to envision herself playing for the Blue Devils. But when she arrived, the program was not the dominant program that it is today, and her early years presented challenges.
Maransky and her class faced extreme difficulties and despite their struggles, they had grown close and felt a strong connection to the team. Together, they chose to stay and work to transform the program from within.
"Freshman year is honestly really tough," Maransky recalled. "I went through the classic 'you're the best in your high school,' and then you don't play a second as a freshman. That was tough, and the team wasn't winning. So, it got to a moment like, after that season, my whole grade was thinking about what was going on."
Maransky played in just six games her rookie season and started one as Duke limped its way through a 6-11 season and 0-6 mark against ACC foes. The Blue Bell, Pennsylvania came back and started 17 of 18 games, but the Blue Devils struggled to find success on the field.
While disappointed about the team's record on the turf, Maransky and her classmates had a love for Duke and decided to take reins and start driving change within the program.
"We all love this team so much and I love my grade so much," Maransky said. "We decided to make changes from within. Since then, it's been on the rise and something that makes the program so special is the people. I wouldn't trade the team for any success in the world."
This mindset caught the attention of head coach Pam Bustin, who emphasized that Maransky's impact was infectious to the team dynamic.
"From day one, she just brought clarity and confidence to what Duke truly means, and it's just being accountable," said Bustin "You've got to earn everything and nothing comes easy to us because we're Duke or because teams before us have done so well. She made each person recognize that each of us has an accountability to bring to the team to bring us success. And from that point on, when she spoke up, things changed."
In Bustin's eyes, Maransky possesses unique qualities as a person that allow her to be an effective leader for the Blue Devils. She walks the walk and talks the talk.
"She's authentic," Bustin said. "She comes up and she does her job, and she does it in her own personality. She takes a lot of pride in her work."
In the Blue Devils' 2023 season, Maransky's defensive presence was instrumental in Duke's success. She started all 23 games, helping the Blue Devils to nine shutouts and a 1.02 goals-against average—the fourth lowest in Duke's single-season history. She also contributed two assists, including one in the NCAA Semifinals.
Off the field, Maransky's consistency and dedication both on the field and in the classroom have earned her numerous honors. She's been named to the NFHCA National Academic Team each year from 2021 to 2023 and the ACC Academic Honor Roll three times, in addition to All-ACC Academic Team honors in 2022 and 2023.
While Maransky has led by example, she's also developed a voice that her teammates respect and appreciate. Bustin has enjoyed witnessing Maransky evolve as a player and even more as a person over these four years.
"She has all the right characteristics of a leader, as far as just doing it by example," Bustin said. "If you look at her and watch her and how she goes about, not only in field hockey but her academics and her life in general, she's such a great role model. And she has grown into being more verbal, and it can be hard to demand things from your teammates, but she's been able to do that, and they respect her so much."
Maransky's journey reflects resilience, accountability, and a deep commitment to the game she loves. For her, success isn't just measured in wins but in the joy of playing with teammates who feel like family.
When asked what her biggest takeaway has been, Maransky's response was simple:
"Just have fun. It's not worth it if you're not having fun. At the end of the day, it's a sport and you should love what you're doing. It's such a blessing to be able to play with your best friends every day. So just keep it fun, keep it light, and success will follow."
Maransky's story embodies quiet strength and leadership, illustrating how authenticity and accountability can uplift an entire program.
As her time as a Blue Devil begins to wrap up, she continues to lead by example and inspires those around her to strive for greatness, proving that true impact goes beyond the field.
This positive environment starts with the coaching staff, whose leadership sets the tone and trickles down to the team captains, guiding the Blue Devils both on and off the field.
Among the players, one who takes pride in fostering this positive team dynamic is none other than senior captain, Megan Maransky.
When Megan Maransky committed to Duke's field hockey program as a high school sophomore, she had years to envision herself playing for the Blue Devils. But when she arrived, the program was not the dominant program that it is today, and her early years presented challenges.
Maransky and her class faced extreme difficulties and despite their struggles, they had grown close and felt a strong connection to the team. Together, they chose to stay and work to transform the program from within.
"Freshman year is honestly really tough," Maransky recalled. "I went through the classic 'you're the best in your high school,' and then you don't play a second as a freshman. That was tough, and the team wasn't winning. So, it got to a moment like, after that season, my whole grade was thinking about what was going on."
Maransky played in just six games her rookie season and started one as Duke limped its way through a 6-11 season and 0-6 mark against ACC foes. The Blue Bell, Pennsylvania came back and started 17 of 18 games, but the Blue Devils struggled to find success on the field.
While disappointed about the team's record on the turf, Maransky and her classmates had a love for Duke and decided to take reins and start driving change within the program.
"We all love this team so much and I love my grade so much," Maransky said. "We decided to make changes from within. Since then, it's been on the rise and something that makes the program so special is the people. I wouldn't trade the team for any success in the world."
This mindset caught the attention of head coach Pam Bustin, who emphasized that Maransky's impact was infectious to the team dynamic.
"From day one, she just brought clarity and confidence to what Duke truly means, and it's just being accountable," said Bustin "You've got to earn everything and nothing comes easy to us because we're Duke or because teams before us have done so well. She made each person recognize that each of us has an accountability to bring to the team to bring us success. And from that point on, when she spoke up, things changed."
In Bustin's eyes, Maransky possesses unique qualities as a person that allow her to be an effective leader for the Blue Devils. She walks the walk and talks the talk.
"She's authentic," Bustin said. "She comes up and she does her job, and she does it in her own personality. She takes a lot of pride in her work."
In the Blue Devils' 2023 season, Maransky's defensive presence was instrumental in Duke's success. She started all 23 games, helping the Blue Devils to nine shutouts and a 1.02 goals-against average—the fourth lowest in Duke's single-season history. She also contributed two assists, including one in the NCAA Semifinals.
Off the field, Maransky's consistency and dedication both on the field and in the classroom have earned her numerous honors. She's been named to the NFHCA National Academic Team each year from 2021 to 2023 and the ACC Academic Honor Roll three times, in addition to All-ACC Academic Team honors in 2022 and 2023.
While Maransky has led by example, she's also developed a voice that her teammates respect and appreciate. Bustin has enjoyed witnessing Maransky evolve as a player and even more as a person over these four years.
"She has all the right characteristics of a leader, as far as just doing it by example," Bustin said. "If you look at her and watch her and how she goes about, not only in field hockey but her academics and her life in general, she's such a great role model. And she has grown into being more verbal, and it can be hard to demand things from your teammates, but she's been able to do that, and they respect her so much."
Maransky's journey reflects resilience, accountability, and a deep commitment to the game she loves. For her, success isn't just measured in wins but in the joy of playing with teammates who feel like family.
When asked what her biggest takeaway has been, Maransky's response was simple:
"Just have fun. It's not worth it if you're not having fun. At the end of the day, it's a sport and you should love what you're doing. It's such a blessing to be able to play with your best friends every day. So just keep it fun, keep it light, and success will follow."
Maransky's story embodies quiet strength and leadership, illustrating how authenticity and accountability can uplift an entire program.
As her time as a Blue Devil begins to wrap up, she continues to lead by example and inspires those around her to strive for greatness, proving that true impact goes beyond the field.
Players Mentioned
B
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