Top of Their Game: Wildcats and Strong Girls Team Up

DURHAM, N.H. - Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the UNH Wildcats teamed up with Strong Girls United for a day of athletics, mentoring, and mindfulness. The event, now in its second year, brought more than 75 young athletes to the UNH Field House on Sunday, Feb. 25, for opening activities. It concluded with VIP access to UNH Gymnastics at the Whittemore Center, where "strong girls" lined the cheer tunnel and high-fived competitors as they entered the arena.

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Prior to the gymnastics meet, student-athletes representing women's and men's teams from basketball and soccer to football, field hockey, and track mentored girls ages 6 - 14 from across New England.

Many came to Durham with their club gymnastics teams eager to showcase their own skills. One young competitor challenged soccer players to a handstand contest. Other girls stretched in full splits while designing posters for the afternoon meet. An athlete from Atlantic Gymnastics in Portsmouth decorated her poster in royal blue and hot pink and looked up the UNH team roster to make sure she named every gymnast.

The event also attracted gymnastics alumnae, including Tracy (Manforte) Sweet '92 who serves on the SGU advisory board, and former teammates from the 1980s, 90s, and recent alums who joined the girls for photos.

Elise Pelletier, SGU program coordinator, noted the exceptional turnout by UNH student-athletes. Close to 40 volunteered their time. "Their enthusiasm and dedication to their sports undoubtedly left a positive impact on the kids," she said. "Special thanks to Sally Rainey (women's soccer goalie) for serving as SGU ambassador and leading the way."

Rainey and fellow student-athletes led a variety of group activities including team-building skills, cup stacking, yoga-inspired power poses, and creativity stations. They even helped the girls adopt a personal mantra, like "I am powerful!" and "I got this!"

"It was fantastic to see our student-athletes engage in such a fun and impactful way with the young athletes who look up to them as role models and heroes," said Allison Rich, UNH Director of Athletics. "We are proud of our Wildcats who joined Strong Girls United to set a great example for the next generation."

"We are so proud to work with the Wildcats and grateful for the mentorship and dedication of their student-athletes," said SGU President Lani Silversides G'09. "They always bring boundless energy and positivity to our events. They are true champions for girls in sports."

Silversides founded SGU in 2019 with a mission to empower girls to be strong, confident, and resilient through sports, mentorship, and mental health programming.

Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day, UNH teamed up with Strong Girls United Foundation for a day of athletics, mentoring, and mindfulness. The event concluded with gymnastics at the Whittemore Center, where UNH swept the four-team competition. Founded in 2019 by Lani Silversides G'09, SGU Foundation empowers girls to be strong, confident, and resilient through sports, mentorship, and mental health programming. (sgunitedfoundation.org)

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Top of Their Game: Wildcats and Strong Girls Team Up

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