ROCHESTER — Playing sports is something Old Rochester Regional High School senior, Sam Austin has done for most of his life.

Austin’s father taught him how to skate at the age of three. By age six, Austin joined the hockey team, where his sports career began to bud.

A year later, Austin joined the lacrosse team to be with his friends.

However, by the time he was in middle school, Austin became a part of the travel lacrosse team, competing in games throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Though Austin considers hockey his primary sport, he loves playing lacrosse because it’s more physical.

“It’s more aggressive. I just have an aggressive nature in sports,” said Austin, “I get to use that a lot more in lacrosse.” 

Freshman year, Austin joined the hockey team. He played hockey throughout high school and eventually became the senior captain, along with his childhood friend, Owen Powers.

Austin also played lacrosse until his sophomore year and didn’t pick it up again until this year when he made a bet with his father that he would make the top three highest scored goals.

Austin won that bet, after scoring 29 goals this season.

Austin credits some of his accomplishments to his team and said he couldn’t have been successful alone without its support.

“I can’t do it all by myself, it’s a team effort,” said Austin, “The stats can say what they want, but it’s the kids who are behind the scenes that are giving you good passes.” 

Outside of sports, Austin was Student of the Month twice, once as a sophomore and this year.

Austin was nominated this year by his math teacher, Micah Kidney, who has served two tours and is currently in the army reserves for training.

Getting that student of the month recommendation from Kidney before he left for army training meant a lot to Austin, said his father, Jim Austin. 

Jim said he is proud of Sam’s achievements.

“It is always tough being on the humble side when talking about your kids, especially when you preach to them to be humble,” said Jim, “But we are very proud of what Sammy has accomplished in his four years at ORR.”

Austin will graduate in June and will attend Southern New Hampshire University as a Criminal Justice major.