OUR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK COMMUNITY PARTNER
Each week, Monitor staff selects and interviews a local Athlete of the Week. Learn more about their accomplishments, their goals and what makes them unique. We’d like to thank our sponsor Capital City Kia.
Our partners do not participate in the selection of these athletes. That is fully at the discretion of our journalists.
Bow sophomore Peyton Vaughn has been an offensive threat on both the field hockey and basketball teams since breaking into the varsity squads last year.
In the fall, Vaughn helped her team finish runner-up against Souhegan in the Division II state championship. She earned first-team all-state honors in field hockey with 26 goals and 24 assists in just 19 games.
After a disappointing defeat in field hockey, she went right into the basketball season for the Falcons and has had a similar impact on the court.
She’s currently leading the squad in points and steals with 15.4 points and 3.3 steals per game. Add to that 3.1 rebounds per tilt and her impact more than passes the eye test.
Basketball coach Kate Walsh said Vaughn was named a captain of the team as a sophomore because she has a strong work ethic, leads by example, and is a great teammate.
“She is such a valuable member of our program not only because of her skill, but because she brings so much more to the team each day,” Walsh said.
The Monitor asked Vaughn about her journey through varsity athletics, her goals and aspirations for the future.
Bow sophomore forward Peyton Vaughn (2) scored Bow’s lone goal in the second quarter to put the Falcons ahead, 1-0. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Freshman guard Peyton Vaughn (22) led the Falcons with 19 points against the Coe-Brown Bears in the D-II prelim. Credit: Chip Griffin—Photos by Chip 
Bow’s Peyton Vaughn (blue), dribbles past a Hollis-Brookline defender in the Falcons’ 3-0 loss to Hollis-Brookline in the 2024 field hockey semifinals. Credit: Chip Griffin / Photos by Chip 
Bow’s Peyton Vaugh (22) goes up for a layup during the Capital Classic girls’ basketball championship game at Pembroke Academy on Monday. Vaughn scored a game-high 25 points to lead the Falcons to a 43-41 victory over Merrimack Valley. Credit: Chip Griffin / Photos By Chip
Q: How would you describe yourself as an athlete?
A: I would describe myself as a hardworking and very competitive athlete. I will do anything it takes to win.
Q: What are some of the best lessons your sports have taught you?
A: Sports have taught me that hard work separates you from your opponents. Staying in your own path and responding the right way to setbacks is everything. A few bad games or practices does not define you, how you bounce back does.
Q: Who has mentored you and how have they helped?
A: I come from a big family of athletes, and I’ve always looked up to my older cousins who play sports. Watching them compete and succeed has motivated me to be the best I can be.
Q: What’s it like having a parent who is also your coach?
A: Having my mom as my field hockey coach has brought us closer and strengthened our relationship. It is so fun being able to make memories with her. I have learned so much from her about leadership, confidence, and how to work hard.
Q: What do you feel like the last season of field hockey has taught you?
A: Going to the championship this past season showed me what it takes to compete at a high level. As a team, we gained a lot of experience and it gave us all an increased level of motivation for next season to get back to that final game and hopefully finish the job.
Q: What are your goals for this season with Bow basketball?
A: My goal is to keep improving and help my team compete for a championship. I want to be someone my teammates can rely on in big moments. I will do whatever I can to make my team and teammates better.
Q: How do you feel like you and your team can keep winning and make a deep playoff run?
A: It comes down to consistency and working hard every day. If we trust each other and take it one game at a time without overlooking anyone, we’ll be in a good position.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give other athletes?
A: Control what you can control and always put in the work. You won’t see improvement overnight, but consistency pays off. Don’t compare your path to anyone else’s, keep your head down, and trust the process.
Q: If you had to pick one: Field hockey or basketball? And why?
A: This is a tough one because I love both for different reasons. They challenge me in different ways and both have shaped me into the athlete I am today. I put my whole heart into whatever sport I’m playing at the moment. My goal is that one of them will provide me the opportunity to play at the collegiate level.