Mackenzie Kirwan '20 Recruiting Profile

Life without lacrosse...for a short time. Imagine hearing the news that you couldn't participate in the game that is your greatest passion. Once I settled into my new high school after moving from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin in the summer before my freshman year, I longed for the spring and the start of another lacrosse season. Having played for six seasons prior, I was eager to start a new season, for a new team, in a new state. That's when I heard the news: that I couldn't play on my local high school lacrosse team. Lacrosse is a club sport in Wisconsin, which is different than at my old school. My new school didn't have its own team, and an agreement wasn't in place for private school students to participate on the local public high school lacrosse team. I was allowed to practice with the team, but was ineligible to play in games. It was unexpected and devastating news to say the least.

I decided to make the best of it. So, I worked hard in practice, assisted the coaches during the games, helped my teammates and made an impact on the team in any way possible. My coaches were very supportive, and having proved my commitment to the game, they pushed for me to play in non-conference games. Playing the game again was thrilling, even if it was just for part of the season. I applied this lesson to my academics, athletics and social life, and everything that I do. This season made me realize my aspiration to become a collegiate student- athlete and I feel that from my experiences this season, I would be an asset to any university, college or team.