For 2 Warwick seniors, PIAA Class 2A field hockey championship is next step toward a beautiful future

MECHANICSBURG — Addy Zimmerman and Shelby Kline dream of opening their own salon someday. That way going to work won’t feel like work at all.

Warwick’s seniors can’t say exactly how long they’ve been friends. It goes back farther than their memories.

They live a minute apart from each other. They play field hockey together. They’re classmates today and they will be in the future.

“She’s my comfort person,” Kline said. “Every time I see her, we just smile and laugh.”

Zimmerman and Kline shared a new memory Saturday. Maybe the best of them all. They helped Warwick defeat Northern York 4-0 to claim the PIAA Class 2A championship at Cumberland Valley.

It was the end of one chapter. Soon, another will begin. Both have decided to enroll at Running With Scissors, a cosmetology school in Middletown, next fall.

Zimmerman is one of the state’s most accomplished players. She’s a Division I talent who could step into many college programs and excel right away. She chose a different path.

The decision came with a cost. It meant this championship game was potentially Zimmerman’s last. That reality started to wash over her as she waited in line to receive her gold medal.

“I was crying a little bit,” Zimmerman said. “Once I leave the bus today, it’ll hit me. It’s sad. But there’s no better way to end it than this way.”

It’s impossible to overstate what Zimmerman means to Warwick, which took home its first state title since 2000. She’s a captain, a defensive stalwart in the midfield and someone every teammate admires.

Warwick coach Ron Stief had Zimmerman on the middle school team four years ago. There were times when he asked her to score a goal and she’d simply dribble through the opponent and deposit the ball into the net.

“I can’t explain how much of a backbone of Warwick hockey she’s been,” Stief said. “Her skill is unparalleled. But, also, it’s her heart and her leadership. She’s such a quality kid that people are gonna follow her.”

No one knows that better than Kline. She and Zimmerman have been wearing the same uniform almost as long as they’ve been friends.

Back in their younger days, when the best players tended to stand out even more, Zimmerman’s talent was clear.

“She was always a very dominant player,” Kline said. “She has been a star. But she’s humble. You never hear a selfish word out of her mouth. A great player and a great person.”

Kline provided her own important moments during Warwick’s 12-week journey to district and state gold. The senior left back stepped in when starter Hailee Adams was out with an injury.

Stief made sure to get Kline onto the field during the fourth quarter so she could soak up her final minutes as a senior.

“It was great to help the team,” Kline said. “I truly love the girls. Even though I don’t always play, I have so much fun every day. I love to cheer them on.”

Zimmerman and Kline made their choice to go to cosmetology school separately. They didn’t want to influence one another. Once they arrived at the decision, they were thrilled. Instead of carpooling to Warwick, they’ll take a longer ride to their classes.

The girls haven’t picked a name for that salon they hope to open. It’s playful speculation at this point.

“We didn’t get that far,” Kline said with a smile, ”but we definitely talk about it.”

If it ever happens, maybe they can put their state championship medals on display. That dream has already come true.