Sydney Blatt '23 Recruiting Profile

    My love of lacrosse began in the 5th grade when I received a flyer for the Wheeling Phantoms.  I signed up, and I was the only girl on the boys team.  There are no girls teams at the level in my area.  I was in love!  We rented the equipment that first year, and after I scored my first goal, my Dad bought me my first stick.  My parents bought a bounce back, and that is where you could find me almost every day putting in reps.  I played with the Phantoms for 4 years, and developed my skills as a middie and attack.

    I also play basketball.  I made a goal to make the freshman team in high school, and hard work and discipline paid off.  I was one of 10 selected for my high school team.  Basketball season is in the winter, so it does not interfere with lacrosse season.  I look forward to playing with the girls this year on my high school team.  The program is fairly new, so there is no Varsity team.  We only have one team.  

    My elementary and middle school years were spent at a Catholic school.  For high school, I chose to attend the public school for a chance at lacrosse, and a variety of academics.  Freshman year, I enrolled in 4 honors classes and 1 AP class.   I maintain a 4.75 GPA, and attend basketball practice everyday after school, including Saturdays.  I know I am college bound, I am just not sure yet what I would like to study in college.  My goal is to maintain a high GPA so I can attend the college of my choice.

    Joining the Phantoms, I learned that I could thrive under pressure.  I did not know a single person on my team, and I had no idea of how to play the sport.  The summer of 2019, I competed in the Olympic try out that was held in Sparks Maryland for lacrosse.  It was at the head quarters for US Lacrosse, and again I was with people I did not know, playing against girls that had played together for years.  I had to quickly get used to the girls stick.  I did not get an invite to the Olympic team, but I was first alternate for the youth team for WPLL.   One of my goals is to make the Olympic team for lacrosse in 2024.  I know this will be a challenge because the sport is so new in my area.  

    I was a zoo volunteer for 2 years, accumulating 306 hours of volunteer time.  I am also a lector in my parish, Corpus Christi.  Since 5th grade I was also an alter server.  I still fill in if Father needs a server for a Saturday night mass.  With sports and my academic load, I have found it hard to volunteer, but I remain active in my church.