Fueling Community On & Off the Court: Player Spotlight, Carmin Szynal

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This month, Director of Coaching Ted Kosciak sat down with Carmin Szynal, a dedicated RT.12 member whose passion for sport and community shines both on and off the court.

Born and raised in Auburn, MA, Carmin’s academic journey is as impressive as her athletic one. After graduating from Holy Name, she earned her undergraduate degree in biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York, followed by a master’s from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and most recently, another master’s from Harvard Extension School. She’s spent over a decade as a senior scientist at AbbVie in Worcester, balancing her career with her love of sports.

Carmin’s athletic background is rooted in soccer and lacrosse, both of which she played competitively through high school and college. She credits these sports—along with volleyball—for honing her anticipation, footwork, and positioning, all skills she now brings to the pickleball court. “I had to learn to slow down in pickleball,” she laughs, “but the anticipation and positioning really translate.”

For Carmin, the best part of pickleball is the sense of community. Her introduction to the game began with a group of friends looking for a fun, new activity. They started playing outdoors, learning the basics and quickly discovered the welcoming nature of the pickleball community. When RT.12 Pickle opened, Carmin became a founding member, eager to join a space where camaraderie and connection are as important as competition and she credits RT.12 for helping refine her game. Whether playing with her regular group or meeting new members, she values the connections made on and off the court. She describes her favorite part of the game as “laughing and having a great game, no matter the outcome. You sweat the same whether you win or lose, but it’s the people and the community that make it special.”

Carmin’s approach to pickleball is all about persistence and growth. Like most, she started with a basic Amazon paddle but now plays with a Joola Pro V1, chosen for its control, an aspect she continues to work on. “I still feel like I have imposter syndrome sometimes,” she admits, “but I never quit, and I love learning from others.”

Beyond the court, Carmin is deeply committed to giving back. Raised with a strong sense of community, she volunteers for organizations like Why Me? & Sherry’s House, which supports children with pediatric cancer and their families right here in the Worcester area. This July, she’s taking on a 100-mile ruck—walking 25 miles a day for four days, camping out each night—to raise funds for Why Me? & Sherry’s House. “Everyone else might think the 100 miles is the hard part. I am struggling with not showering and sleeping outside”, she joked. She invites RT.12 members to join the nightly fundraising celebrations at local breweries along the route or to support the cause in any way they can.

Carmin’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and giving back. Whether she’s rallying on the court or raising money for local charities, her positive energy inspires everyone around her. RT.12 Pickle is lucky to have her as a member, and we look forward to cheering her on—both in pickleball and in her charitable endeavors.

If you’d like to support Carmin’s 100-mile ruck for Why Me? & Sherry’s House, check out the link here. We hope to see some of you celebrating with her at these local breweries July 17-20. Let’s show her the same support she brings to our club!