Keli Smith (plus two) by Kaitlan Mitchell
The pages of Xavi’s passport are chock-full of various colored stamps from places like valencia and England – souvenirs of faded ink from his recent tour with the Women’s USA National Field Hockey Team.
A new face to the organization, Xavi has an extraordinary role on the team. He frequently observes practices and enjoys strengthening his own stick work on the sidelines. And when he is not training on the pitch, he is mastering training pants.
Already a frequent flyer member,18-month-old Xavi is the son of Keli Smith-Puzo, a member of the National Team since 2001. Keli’s bio is overflowing with accomplishments ranging from playing on both the World Cup and Pan American teams to participating in the Beijing Olympics. Keli is about to add yet another achievement to her running list. Catalogued somewhere after achieving her 100th international cap but before her 2012 Olympic training is another accomplishment – soon-to-be mother of two. This makes her an even bigger threat on the field.
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“I enjoy playing more now that I have a child,” Keli says. “I think further balancing my life is a positive thing for my game. It’s important to be focused on the field and in the hockey environment, but it’s so important mentally to be able to let go.”
A balancing act that started on January 8, 2010 with the birth of Xavi, is only expected to continue with the family’s next addition around August 30, 2011. The Smith-Puzo’s full schedule keeps Keli’s concentration centered.
“Obviously when the game ends and you’re running off the field to change a diaper and the baby is crying it totally brings you back to perspective. I’m able to have that cutoff at the end of the day and just let hockey go. Waking up the next day you are really able to refocus.”
Field hockey is the central root of the Smith-Puzo’s family tree. Keli’s love of the sport is matched by her husband Iñako’s passion for the game.
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