‘My biggest goal is to make the Olympics,’ Kelby Dings on being named to the U‑16 USA women’s team for the first FIH World Youth Hockey Festival
Kelby Dings on the left in England representing Team USA. And, on the right Penn Manor High School. Photos: Submitted, Bob Benscoter
Kelby Dings spent a sizzling June morning in Virginia Beach doing a little bit of everything — pressing, sprinting, sliding and searching for the chance to flip the U-16 National Club Championship semifinal in her team’s favor.
The Penn Manor junior was playing for Next Level Field Hockey, a young club already making noise with three straight trips to USA Field Hockey’s National Club Championships.
In the semi against WC Eagles, one of the country’s top programs, Dings was locked in.
With the game still scoreless, Dings read the backfield pass, trusted her first step and attacked the lane. She slid on her stomach, stretched her stick forward, and poked the ball past the goalie.
“I saw it coming,” Dings said. “She turned her body, and I could tell she was going to pass it back, so I just started running.”
She managed to accomplish what a few teams can do when pitted against the WC Eagles — score.
Even though Next Level ultimately lost to WC Eagles in shootouts, Dings and her team went on to win their first bronze, a goal the team had set prior to leaving, Next Level owner Jess Shellenberger told Female Athlete News in Virginia Beach.
Kelby Dings celebrates with her teammates in England during the 2026 Four Nations Tour. Photo: Submitted
Next Level defeated Texas Pride 5-1.
“Look how far we’ve come,” Dings said of the goal she scored against WC Eagles at the club championship. “We’re a really small club that is basically new, and we’re going against the No. 1 team in the country. We’re so relentless. We’re never going to give up, no matter who we face.”
In a few days, Dings will be departing for the inaugural 2026 FIH World Youth Hockey Festival. The FIH World Cups are being held in Belgium for the women, and the Netherlands for the men.
That kind of fearlessness that Dings displayed at the club championship fits the goal she is not afraid to say out loud.
“My biggest goal is to be in the Olympics one day,” she said.
The next step: an international tour with the U-16 USA Women's Field Hockey team.
“I’m proud that I get to represent the U.S. team," Dings said. "I’m blessed to go places and play my sport.”
Her summer has been a blur of sticks, turf and travel. Penn Manor trains three days a week, and Dings has packed the rest of the calendar with club practices, clinics, camps and national-team opportunities.
It is a lot. It is also exactly where she wants to be.
“This whole summer, I was basically just playing field hockey,” Dings said. “I can balance it. I have my own life, and I do what I enjoy doing.”
What sets Dings apart is not just her speed but also her humble, playful personality. At the time this story was published, two ACC college field hockey programs and three Big Ten were attempting to recruit her.
In national-team settings, where everybody is talented and someone is always faster, stronger or more experienced, Dings leans into effort.
“Even if I make a mistake, I tell myself to make something out of it,” Dings said. “Get the ball back. Calm down, next play. And, don’t give up.”
Her support system travels with her, too. Her family asks about every clinic, camp and game. Her grandparents are regulars on the sideline, and the encouragement reaches well beyond the field hockey circle.
“All of my grandparents come to every single game that I play,” Dings said. “My whole family supports me every day.”
Kelby Dings scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to give Penn Manor the 2025 District 3 Class 3A title over Mechanicsburg. Photo: Bob Benscoter
Dings is eager to not only play against international teams her age, but also to sit in the stands and watch international powerhouses in a first-time event at the FIH World Cup.
“It’s a dream come true,” Dings said. “I’m playing with my friends for two weeks and playing the sport that I love.”
She also hopes the opportunity gives younger players something to chase.
“I hope other kids are inspired to play field hockey,” Dings said. “I’m really excited to meet new people, play with my friends, train and travel, and get better as a person and an athlete.”
Her mom traveled with Dings to England earlier this year, where her daughter competed on the U-16 USA Women's Field Hockey Team in the Four Nations Tour. The Manheim Central teacher said she is "sitting this one out," but she's excited to hear from her husband and his parents about their experiences.
"It's amazing to us that she goes out there and does her sport," JoAnn said. "She teaches all of us not to give up. We do try to instill those values. Don’t give up, be resilient, and don’t show your emotions. Win with class. Lose with class. It’s been really important to us to teach those values. It’s inspiring to see them all succeed."
Dings has already traveled internationally and has been tested through USA camps, clinics, and trials. But, she has not yet been to Belgium.
"I think, in the games, winning and losing, I’m going to win and lose things my entire life," Dings said. "There’s going to be ups and downs. Traveling alone, there are going to be times when things don’t go my way. I'm learning how to deal with those things now, and I think this will help me to set up my entire life."
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