Personal Statement
It is almost a cliche but nonetheless true that I have loved lacrosse from the first time I picked up a stick at age 8. Besides school and my family, it is my passion. Having the 2020 season cancelled was absolutely devastating, but I looked at it as an opportunity to work on my weaknesses to get better. I treated every day as if I had practice, lifted weights, ran, did footwork, lacrosse drills and wall-ball to make myself a more complete lacrosse player. I continue those habits to this day. In addition, moving to Bozeman in 2022 was a game changer for me as it gave me the opportunity to be coached by former division 1 players Casey Rose (Rutgers 2017) and Casey Stephenson (Cornell 2005). I had the chance to meet some great new teammates and had doors opened to me to play on club teams I likely otherwise would not have. I have played against top level competition at some incredible tournaments and have proven that I belong and can compete with these elite clubs and players. While I am far from done, I think all of this has paid great dividends and was a major reason for my gains as a player my last 2 years. This has culminated so far me being 3 times all-state, 2 time state champion and a most recently a USA lacrosse All-American. I feel that on-going work in between practices where I focus on my weaknesses and trying to make the uncomfortable comfortable will remain integral for me to improve as a player. I try to extend this attitude to other areas of my life as I see this work as important for self-improvement in just about anything. For example, despite having dyslexia I took honors english this year, not exactly my wheelhouse but stuck with it and have much more confidence in my reading and writing ability. I try to embrace the grind to find success and if I can embody a mantra it might be from Coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns who tells his players “everything you want in life is on the other side of hard.”
Besides my love of the sport itself it is my teammates, coaches and other relationships that make lacrosse special to me. I love my teammates and feel we would do anything for each other. I like to believe this shows itself on the field. I look at living in Montana as a gift, I couldn't imagine growing up in a more beautiful place. When I am not playing lacrosse, living here affords me the opportunity to ski, mountain bike and explore the outdoors. Though Montana is not a lacrosse hotbed I look at this as more of a chance to prove myself and a reason to travel, meet new people and see other parts of the country. Lastly, I am really blessed with a supportive family who encourages myself and my siblings to try new things, be independent, not fear failure and has made a lot of sacrifices to allow me to pursue my dream of playing college lacrosse.
