If you know Crawford, you know what the word driven means. Her drive to be her best every day starts before the sun fully rises. On November 4, 2025 at 6:55 a.m., Crawford Checchetto’s first alarm sounds, but she’s already awake, mentally preparing for what lies ahead. The first round of the North Jersey Group 1 state championship is ahead and Crawford pulls her uniform on with purpose, running through scenarios in her head. She’s thinking about how she wants to play, what the team needs from her, and how to set the tone for the game ahead. “I think about how I’m going to play today,” she says. “What kind of impact can I make?”

By 7:30, Crawford is out the door, stopping to pick up her younger cousin, Kylie, before heading to school. The drive becomes a ritual in itself, music blasting through the car speakers. “I always listen to something that hypes me up,” she says. “It gets me in the right headspace before I even step into school.”

When she arrives at school at 8:05, the academic part of her day begins, but the athlete in her never switches off. Between classes, she finds moments to review scouting reports, scroll through game film, and study her own play. “Watching films helps me anticipate plays before they happen,” she explains. “It’s about recognizing patterns and staying one step ahead.”

By 11:01, it’s lunch, a break and a critical opportunity to fuel up. Crawford makes a point to eat something balanced and energizing, knowing every choice plays into how she’ll perform later. Then it’s back to class until 2:57. Her afternoon schedule is lighter, which allows her to sneak in another look at stats or rewatch clips, fine-tuning her approach for game time. When the final bell rings, the transition from student to athlete becomes tangible. Crawford and her teammates make the short walk from the locker room up to Bonnel Field, a pregame ritual filled with laughter, encouragement, and anticipation. “That walk always gets me locked in,” she says. “It’s when everything else fades, and it’s just about the team.”

Warm-ups begin around 3:15, and as the team’s unofficial DJ, Crawford races up to the press box to cue the pregame playlist which sets up the atmosphere. “Music brings us together,” she says. “It builds the energy we play with.”

By 4:00, the whistle blows, and it’s time. Today’s matchup carries weight, it’s a state tournament game, and history is on the line. The intensity is felt by everyone, but Crawford thrives in that environment. Every pass, every defensive stand, every moment on the field reflects the preparation she’s put in all day. When the final buzzer sounds at 5:30, the scoreboard tells the story. Caldwell won 2-0 against Lenape Valley. For the first time in program history, the Chiefs are advancing to the second round of the State playoffs.

“It was surreal,” Crawford says, smiling. “To be part of that kind of moment, it’s something I’ll remember forever.” By 6:00, the celebration begins, s a dinner with teammates, laughter, and a few quiet moments of reflection.

Even in victory, Crawford’s focus remains grounded. “We’re proud,” she says, “but we know the job’s not done. Tomorrow, we start preparing again.” For Crawford Checchetto, excellence isn’t a moment but a mindset. Her discipline, leadership, and relentless drive embody what it means to be a student-athlete at James Caldwell High School,  to compete with heart, to lead with purpose, and to always be ready for the next challenge.