Committing alongside fellow Hawks; Athletes plan to play collegiate sports

Photo+Credits%3A+Julia+Barstow

Photo Credits: Julia Barstow

Alison Grafton, H/S Editor

 

Playing a college sport is the aspiration of many high school athletes, but having the opportunity to continue to do so alongside a high school friend and teammate is not all that common.

Junior Hannah Smith and senior Caroline King are both committed for lacrosse at Shenandoah University. The Virginia college is home to division III teams in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, according to the NCAA.

Smith committed in September 2018 and she says she cannot wait to play with people she knows. She is most looking forward to “go to the school and study nursing.”

Smith has prepared for college lacrosse in multiple ways, including playing year round club lacrosse as well as developing specific skills. “I do things on my own such as wall ball and run.”

King also committed in September 2018. “I am most looking forward to being on the team and spending a lot of time with them in and out of season.” She has prepared for college lacrosse by playing on a club team for several years. King added, “the process was really long because I had to email a lot of coaches and go to multiple clinics and have phone calls. It was stressful and it’s a relief that I am done.”

Friends and seniors Julia Barstow and Kaleigh Sasdelli are both committed for lacrosse at Millersville University in Millersville Pennsylvania, a Division II athletic program. Both students committed in December 2017.

Barstow says that “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’ve always dreamed of doing….” She adds that, “combining what I love with a whole new community- with my best friend,” will definitely make it a great experience.

Sasdelli is looking forward to the new members of the team. “We got a new coach recently so I’m looking forward to meeting her… [and] the 2018 commits we haven’t met already.”