Jenna Skrinak played important role in Wyoming Area’s field hockey success earlier this decade. She left the Warriors with a bit of history, as well.

In 2012, Skrinak became the first Wyoming Area field hockey player to accept an athletic scholarship — she went to Lindenwood University. Since then, Skrinak has moved back home and is currently a staple on the Wilkes University field hockey team.

Following her freshman season at Lindenwood, located in Saint Charles, Missouri, Skrinak decided it was time to return home. Lindenwood offered a nursing program, but only two years of the program were conducted on campus. Skrinak wanted to play hockey more than that, so she made the switch to Wilkes after taking the 2013 season off.

“I love it back home because my mom and my family come to all of my games,” she said. “It’s a lot easier with school. We don’t travel very far so I get enough time to study and play.”

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During her time at Lindenwood, the then-freshman appeared in 16 games and started seven. She finished with a pair of goals on 14 shots, including a game-winner.

At both Lindenwood and Wilkes, Skrinak seems to do her best in the biggest spots.

Against rival King’s College in 2014, Skrinak recorded the game-winner. It was her second of two goals on the season. At Lindenwood, an NCAA Division 2 school, Skrinak scored the winning goal in the D2 Independent Alliance Tournament championship game.

Although a junior at Wilkes, it’s just Skrinak’s second with the team because of her absence in 2013. As a sophomore, she appeared in 17 games with the Colonels scoring two goals and adding an assist.

This season has gone much better for the junior forward.

“When I took time off, my skills weren’t all there,” she said. “Last year, I was basically getting back to where I was originally.”

Through just 10 games, Skrinak has already scored three goals and added two assists. She’s been moved from a left or right forward to now a center forward.

“We work really well together,” Skrinak said of her forward line. “It’s a lot easier to have teammates that will work with you. They all want each other to score.”

Sara Myers is a Crestwood graduate in her seventh season as the Colonels’ head coach. She believes Skrinak has handled the transition to the center of the field very well.

“Jenna has amazing stick stills and she’s a very dynamic and smart player,” Myers said. “She sees the field very well and she’s a key component to our attack.”

Since Skrinak, daughter of Kathy Skrinak and the late Bob Skrinak, West Wyoming, accepted her scholarship, Wyoming Area has been a hotbed for field hockey talent. Most recently, current Wyoming Area senior Bree Bednarski has verbally committed to play for the University of Michigan.

Skrinak credits Wyoming Area coach Chris Comiskey and his staff, along with the players, for getting the program on the map.

“As we were growing up, we would always help the younger kids,” she said. “It was exciting to be the first person to get a scholarship, but it’s even more exciting that people behind me are going Division 1.”

Granteed providing depth

Wyoming Area graduate Christina Granteed is currently a freshman on the Wilkes’ team. Thus far, she’s appeared in two games. The Colonels have a pair of strong freshman keepers, including Granteed, according to Myers.

In the season opener against Keystone College, Wilkes took a 7-1 win. In that game, Granteed logged just under five minutes of play and made her first career save. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, Granteed saw 10 minutes of action in a 4-0 win over Immaculata University.

“It’s a lot different, but I enjoy it,” Granteed said of the college game. “The pace is a lot faster than high school. It was an adjustment but I just have to continue to work hard and be positive about it.”

Wilkes’ other freshman keeper Dallas Kendra is from Crestwood.

“Christina is a very coachable and hard-working player,” Myers said. “She is improving every day. We have two strong freshman keepers. I can lean on either of them at any time.”

Granteed is the daughter of Debbie and Joe Granteed of West Wyoming. Currently, she’s undecided on a major, but leaning toward Business.

The Colonels currently sit at 6-4. After a game with Desales University on Saturday, Oct. 3, Granteed and Skrinak will continue the season when they host Elizabethtown College on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Christina Granteed
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_christina_granteed.jpg.optimal.jpgChristina Granteed

Jenna Skrinak
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_jenna_skrinak.jpg.optimal.jpgJenna Skrinak

Wilkes University junior Jenna Skrinak, a Wyoming Area graduate, takes the ball upfield in a field hockey game recently.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_JennaSkrinak.jpg.optimal.jpgWilkes University junior Jenna Skrinak, a Wyoming Area graduate, takes the ball upfield in a field hockey game recently. Submitted photo
Granteed providing strong keeper depth

By Nick Wagner

nwagner@timesleader.com

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Do you know a Greater Pittston athlete excelling at the college level? Contact Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or email nwagner@timesleader.com.

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