Twins by birth and teammates by choice, Payton and Parker Keeler have spent much of their lives competing side by side while supporting one another through every stage of their athletic journeys.
The Bridgeville, Delaware, natives grew up playing softball, basketball, soccer and field hockey on the same teams. Their connection ensured they never strayed too far from one another, making the decision to play field hockey together at Newberry feel natural. It also helped that their older sister, Brady, was a standout field hockey student-athlete at Newberry years earlier.
Growing up, Payton and Parker Keeler played soccer, basketball and field hockey together, and they followed their older sister, Brady, to Newberry. (Photos courtesy of the Keeler family)
"Growing up, we were always together — even in elementary school — so the idea of going to different colleges honestly felt strange," Parker said. "Being able to do this together has made the transition so much easier. Newberry just felt like home away from home."
Since the arrival of the twins' recruiting class in 2023, Newberry field hockey has improved every year. This past season, Payton and Parker helped lead a championship-contending team to a program-defining year while succeeding both individually and together.
"We knew the twins were very skilled players, but what we also knew — from having Brady here — was their family," head coach Hannah Dave said. "Newberry is about culture and family, that meant just as much to us as their talent. And from the moment Parker and Payton arrived, the expectation was that they could help elevate this program — and they absolutely embraced that."
History made
When the South Atlantic Conference tournament arrived in early November, Newberry had already made history by earning the program's first regular-season title. The undefeated, top-seeded Wolves boasted a formidable résumé — 16 overall wins, including victories over top-ranked opponents like Mansfield, West Chester and Lander.
Newberry's field hockey team won the South Atlantic Conference field hockey tournament in 2025. (Photo courtesy of the South Atlantic Conference)
"After playing West Chester and Mansfield early on, it felt like everything we talked about was finally falling into place," Payton said. "That's when I thought, 'Wow — we really have a shot."
Parker and Payton Heeler display their awards after the South Atlantic Conference tournament. (Photo courtesy of the Keeler family)
Newberry defeated Wingate in the second round of the SAC tournament and routed Lander 3-0 en route to capturing its first conference tournament championship and the 100th career victory for Dave. Through the two games, Payton and Parker combined to contribute two assists and several goals.
"We knew we had the pieces, and once the postseason started, it felt like everything we'd been working for finally came together," Parker said. "Everyone bought in, and we never took any game lightly. … We worked really well together, and that's how you win championships. It's never about just one or two people."
Parker and Payton were two of the eight Wolves named to the all-conference teams, while Dave was named Coach of the Year. Parker was tabbed as the conference's Offensive Player of the Year, while Payton was named Most Valuable Player of the conference tournament.
The postseason recognition served as a good benchmark for the team and validation for coach Dave.
"We could see something incredible developing watching this group train together in the spring," Dave said. "Within our first game, I thought, 'This is going to be something special,' and then to hear another coach say they could see us making a national run — that really validated it."
Having secured the conference title, the team headed to the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championship in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. With notable athletic accolades already won, Payton would be recognized for her success in the classroom.
Payton: Academically elite
Payton Keeler looks to pass in the championship game against Shippensburg. (Photo by Bill Streicher / NCAA Photos)
Ahead of the opening rounds of the Division II championship, Payton was awarded the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award, which is given to student-athletes with the highest cumulative GPA at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.
"At the end of the day, I'm here to be a student-athlete," Payton said. "Getting my degree and doing well in the classroom has always mattered just as much as what I do on the field. Awards like that were never really on my radar. It's really special to be recognized, but what mattered most to me was knowing I was doing the best I could in the classroom. As a team, we've created an expectation to do our best academically. We're always helping each other, whether it's tutoring, planning or just checking in. Those standards in the classroom carry over to the field. We set goals, hold each other accountable and expect consistency in everything we do."
Payton maintained a grade-point average of 4.0 while majoring in physical education with a teacher certification.
"As much as we want to win on the field, we also want to win off the field," Dave said. "Having an Elite Scholar on our team helps reinforce that academic excellence is part of our standard — and our players see that. Most of our student-athletes will spend far more time in their careers than on a hockey field, so we make sure they're prepared for what comes next."
Postseason championship run
With awards in tow, Newberry turned its attention last fall to the NCAA Division II field hockey tournament. The bracket was stacked with Northeast powerhouses from the Northeast 10 Conference and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Both conferences have deep championship pedigrees, with Newberry the lone representative from the South Atlantic.
First up for Newberry was No. 8 Bentley, whom the Wolves defeated 4-1. Newberry advanced to the next round with a 3-0 victory over No. 5 West Chester. Through the two games, the twins scored three of Newberry's seven goals.
In the final game, Newberry faced a formidable opponent in No. 3 Shippensburg, which won its fifth title in 2021 and was the runner-up the following year.
Shippensburg scored first in the opening period, and Newberry responded in the third period. The teams went back and forth, both scoring again in that same period, ending regulation deadlocked at 2-2. The Wolves were able to get a pair of shots on goal in the opening minutes of overtime, one coming from Payton, but it would be Shippensburg that found the back of the net first to take the championship, 3-2.
Despite the loss, Parker and Payton were named to the all-tournament team.
Parker: Player of the Year
Parker concluded her junior year as the nation's leader in total points (58), assists (20) and assists per game (0.95). This offensive prowess earned her the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II Player of the Year award.
Through three seasons, Parker is the school record holder with 30 assists and seven game-winning goals in a single season. She is second in program history with 108 career points and 11 game-winning goals and tied for second in goals with 39.
Parker Keeler battles Shippensburg for possession during the NCAA championship game. (Photo by Bill Streicher /NCAA Photos)
Parker also earned a spot on the NFHCA National Academic Squad, recognizing her cumulative GPA of 3.50 of higher. She is majoring in nursing.
"Balancing nursing and field hockey has definitely made me more disciplined on and off the field," Parker said. "Planning ahead and staying organized is everything. Academics have always come first in our family. That's just how we were raised — show up, be disciplined and give everything you have in all things."
The final season
As remarkable as the 2025 season proved to be, it marked a foundation rather than a finish for the twins and their entire team. When the season closed, the Wolves stood atop the Division II field hockey rankings in goals, assists and points per game, scoring average, scoring margin and winning percentage.
At the center of it are Payton and Parker, who are returning for their senior season. Their connection on the field will be stronger than ever, with both describing playing together for so long as second nature. "We don't really have to call for the ball. We just know where each other are," Parker said. "We've been playing together our entire lives, so it's kind of instinct at this point."
With the program's core returning and championship standards firmly established, the twins will look to lead their team to another historic season on and off the field. Their shared journey, shaped by sisterhood and service to their team, continues to reflect the values that carried Newberry to its most accomplished season yet.
"This program is about more than wins," Dave said. "It's about people, family and building something that lasts."
For the Keeler twins, the 2025 campaign will be remembered as historic — but not final.
"The standard doesn't change — if anything, it increases," Payton said. "We know what we're capable of, and we're bringing that mindset right back next season. I expect nothing less than the success we saw last year. We're picking up right where we left off."
