Xavier University Athletics
Women’s Lacrosse Announces Inaugural Signing Class
11.16.21 | Women's Lacrosse
Head coach Meg Decker announced her 21 person class on Wednesday
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's lacrosse head coach Meg Decker announced her inaugural signing class on Tuesday. The program had 21 players sign National Letters of Intent.
Was named to the 2021 US Lacrosse All-American Team... is a three-year varsity starter... has recorded 123 goals, 139 ground balls and 159 points during her HS playing career... led her team to a 13-4 record in 2021 and a state runner-up finish... is a two-time all-state performer, earning first-team all-state honors in 2021... played club lacrosse for Major Force Lacrosse... daughter of Ben and Jill Armitage... brother, Will, plays football at Allegheny College... plans to major in sports marketing.
Helped her team capture a conference title as a junior… helped her team advance to the state semifinals as a senior… also led her field hockey team to a state championship… is a three-year varsity letterwinner in field hockey and lacrosse… played club lacrosse for Summit Lacrosse… father, Shelly, played golf at Linfield College… also plays field hockey and basketball… plans to major in education.
Is a member of the tennis, lacrosse and swim teams… is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… has recorded 51 goals and five assists during her career… earned second-team All-GMC honors in lacrosse… also earned second-team All-GMC honors in tennis… helped her team capture the 2019 GMC Conference Title with an 18-4-1 record… helped the 2019 team advance to the OHSAA State Semifinals… helped the 2021 team post a 12-8 record with another GMC Conference Championship… played club lacrosse for CincyLax… helped her club team post a 14-2 record last season with a 14-2 record and a NXT Grand Prix Championships… father, Matt, played baseball at Ellsworth CC… plans to major in engineering physics.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays tennis… posted a 91 percent draw wins percentage… led her team to the state semifinals in 2018… helped her team post a 15-3 record in 2020… played club lacrosse for True IL… brother, Matthew, played lacrosse at Augustana College ('18)… plans to major in biology.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays soccer… was her team's leading goal scorer last season… scored 20 goals as a freshman at Saratoga Springs HS… led her team to an 11-6 record at IMG Academy as a junior… played club lacrosse for ADK… father, Robert, played lacrosse at Yale… major is undecided.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… posted a .601 saves percentage in goal… was named the conference's 'Defensive Player of the Year' last season… also earned all-conference honors… was the recipient of the All-American Academic Award… helped her team to an 8-2 record last season… played club lacrosse for Vand'al Lacrosse… helped her club team win two Park City Championships and a West Coast Cup Championship… intends to major in biology.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays volleyball… earned all-conference first team honors… played club lacrosse for Monster Elite Lacrosse Club… helped her club team compile a 35-12 record… intends to major in criminal justice.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse... also participated in volleyball, soccer and ice hockey... posted 100 draw controls... was named an Under Armor All-American... earned Ultimate Elite honors from 2017-22... participated in the PLL Summit... was a two-time conference champion in volleyball... played club lacrosse for Ultimate NJ... father, Kevin, played rugby at Drexel... intends to major in business.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also participates in gymnastics and competitive cheerleading… earned All-Ohio Second Team honors last season… also earned all-conference first team honors… helped her team post a 35-8 record over the last two seasons… played club lacrosse for Impact Lacrosse… father, Jamey, played football at Marietta College… intends to major in exercise science.
Served as team captain and was a four-time honor roll selection… earned the George Pulver Scholar-Athlete Award and the Athletic Director's Award… also played club lacrosse for ADK Lacrosse… major is exploratory.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays volleyball… earned all-district honors in 2019… led her team to a school-record 12 wins (12-3 record) in 2019… helped her team post an 8-1 record in the spring of 2021… helped her volleyball team advance to the district and regional finals in 2021… also played club lacrosse for Capital Lacrosse Club… was a member of the Under Amour All-American Junior Spotlight Team… was a member of the DC Metro School Girls Team… intends to major in exercise science.
Played at Cathedral HS (Indianapolis, Ind.) from 2017-18 and at La Salle Academy (Providence, R.I.) from 2018-21… finished her senior season with 20 goals, five assists and 35 draw controls… earned All-State Honorable Mention honors from the Rhode Island Lacrosse Coaches Association in 2021 after leading her team to the state semifinals… was also named to the RILCA All-State Rookie Team in 2019… played club lacrosse for Revolution Lacrosse… was a First and Second Honor Roll selection... major is exploratory.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse and field hockey… is a three-year captain in lacrosse… posted 28 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers during her junior season… earned first-team all-conference and first-team all-region honors last season… led her team to back-to-back state runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2019, compiling a 39-8 record during that span… earned academic All-Honors from (2017-21)… also played club lacrosse for Impact Lacrosse… father, Andy, played football at Ohio State ('91)… brother, Patrick, plays football at Ohio State… intends to major in biology.
Played one season (spring 2021) at Hartford… saw action in four matches at Hartford… was a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse and basketball at Kingwood HS (Texas)… also participated in volleyball and cheerleading… was a three-time Under Armour All-American… was a two-time all-district honoree… also played club lacrosse for 214 Lacrosse… father, Shawn, played football at Boston College… sister, Cassidy played lacrosse at Vermont ('21)… sister, Riley, plays lacrosse at Vermont… intends to major in education.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also played basketball and field hockey… led her team to a state championship in 2021, posting a perfect 18-0 record… led her team to a state runner-up finish in 2019 with a 15-2 record… helped her basketball team post a 36-28 record over the last three seasons… is a two-time, first-team all-state performer in lacrosse… is a two-time, first-team all-conference performer in lacrosse… was named an Academic All-American in 2020… is a three-time all-conference honoree in basketball… also played club lacrosse for True Illinois 2022 State Premier… led her team to a LAX America Championships in 2015 and 2019… led her team to a Top Cheddar Championship in 2016 and 2019… sister, Taylor, plays lacrosse at Aurora University… intends to major in business.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… has earned all-sectional and all-conference honors… helped her team post a 14-6 record last season, placing second in the conference standings… also played club lacrosse at True Lacrosse… was named to the True National Team from 2019-21… has also earned Nike American Select Midwest Team honors, Philly Showcase All-Star honors and Maryland Showcase All-Star honors… intends to major in biology.
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also participates in soccer, volleyball and dance… is a three-time all-district performer, earning first-team honors as a sophomore and junior… also played club lacrosse for Florida Select Lacrosse… mother, Lorena, played field hockey at Maryland… brother, Luca, plays soccer at NYU… intends to major in communications.
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays soccer… is a four-time academic all-state honoree… helped her soccer team post a 13-2-2 record last season… led her lacrosse team to a 11-6 record last season… also played club lacrosse at Indy United… mother, Debra, played golf, field hockey and softball at Franklin College… brother, Patrick, plays baseball at Miami (Ohio)… intends to major in biology.
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse and cross country… also plays soccer… led her lacrosse team to a 13-8 record last season with a district runner-up finish… led her cross country team to two district runner-up finishes… is a two-time academic All-Ohio recipient… winner of the Heart of a Champion Award and the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award… also played club lacrosse for Lucky Lax… intends to major in biomedical sciences.
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays hockey… earned all-conference honors last season… led her team to a 13-5 overall record… also played club lacrosse for New Wave… intends to major in criminal justice.
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also participates in soccer and track and field… named to the US Lacrosse Academic All-American Team… participated in the US Lacrosse National HS Tournament… was a WPIAL finalist and state quarterfinalist in lacrosse… earned WPIAL 'Rookie of the Year' honors in soccer... was a WPIAL Quarterfinalist and PIAA State Qualifier in the 4x800 in track… also played club lacrosse for Pittsburgh Premier Lacrosse… is a two-time Apex Showcase All-Star Team honoree… also named to the Gait Top-20 Showcase Team, the Under Armour All-America Midwest Command Team (2019) and the True National Team (2018)… mother, Shelly, played soccer at Boston College ('91)… intends to major in philosophy, politics and the public.
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse... named to the 2020 WPLL Futures Northern California Team... named to the 2021 US Lacrosse National Tournament NorCal Team 1... named to the 2021 American Select California/West Region Team... named to the 2021 American Select Team... was her high school team's co-leader in assists in 2021... led the team in goals and assists in 2020... earned the Coaches Award as a freshman... played club lacrosse for STEPS California... mother, Suzanne, played softball at Saint Mary's... intends to major in business.
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays field hockey… is a four-time all-county performer in lacrosse and field hockey… led her lacrosse team to a regional title in 2021… led her field hockey team to a county championship in 2021… also played club lacrosse for M&D Black… named to the Under Armour Top-150 in 2019 and 2020… was a Nike Elite 120 selection in 2020 and All-American Junior Spotlight honoree in 2020… intends to major in biology.
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also participates in cross country and track and field… led her team to back-to-back state championships in lacrosse, compiling a 30-2 overall record… was a two-time all-conference performer in track and lacrosse… earned academic all-conference honors in track and field… placed second at the state championships in the high jump… also played club lacrosse for Eastern Shore Lacrosse Club… father, Keith, is the head men's basketball coach at Allen University (SC)… brother, Dockery, played basketball at Brown University ('15)… intends to major in criminal justice.
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THE SIGNING CLASS |
| NAME | HT. | MAJOR | HOMETOWN (HS) |
| Kiera Armitage | 5-8 | Sports Marketing | Awendaw, S.C. (Oceanside Collegiate Academy) |
| Makayla Au | 5-4 | Education | Centennial, Colo. (Regis Jesuit) |
| Corinne Baker | 5-6 | Engineering Physics | Cincinnati, Ohio (Sycamore) |
| Samantha Balara | 5-10 | Biology | St. Charles, Ill. (Saint Charles North) |
| Erin Berls | 5-9 | Undecided | Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (IMG Academy) |
| Jada Brandon | 5-10 | Biology | Woodinville, Wash. (Woodinville) |
| Emma Cecile | 5-4 | Criminal Justice | Syracuse, N.Y. (Corcoran) |
| Soph Coan | 5-5 | Business | Rose Valley, Pa. (The Hill School) |
| Gianna Cua | 5-6 | Exercise Science | Westerville, Ohio (St. Francis DeSales) |
| Aubrey Dean | 5-6 | Exploratory | Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Saratoga Springs) |
| Natalie Ellis | 5-5 | Exercise Science | Arlington, Va. (Washington-Liberty) |
| Sophia Grigson | 5-6 | Exploratory | Portsmouth, R.I. (Cathedral) |
| Catherine Gurd | 5-5 | Biology | New Albany, Ohio (New Albany) |
| Dylan Halloran | 5-9 | Education | Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood) |
| Molly Janssen | 5-10 | Business | Menomonee Falls, Wis. (University School of Milwaukee) |
| Julia Kogan | 5-5 | Biology | Elmhurst, Ill. (York Community) |
| Lola Mancuso | 5-3 | Communications | Plantation, Fla. (American Heritage) |
| Mary Mastrian | 5-3 | Biology | Indianapolis, Ind. (Bishop Chatard) |
| Katelyn McDonnell | 5-7 | Biomedical Sciences | Powell, Ohio (Olentangy Liberty) |
| Marina Piszczor | 5-3 | Criminal Justice | Elmhurst, Ill. (York Community) |
| Sydney Saba | 5-8 | Philosophy, Politics and the Public | Pittsburgh, Pa. (Mt. Lebanon) |
| Claire Slade | 5-5 | Biology | Clarksville, Md. (River Hill) |
| Molly Smith | 5-6 | Business | Pleasanton, Calif. (Amador Valley) |
| Sawyer Walker | 6-1 | Criminal Justice | Magnolia, Del. (Cape Henlopen) |
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KIERA ARMITAGE |
Was named to the 2021 US Lacrosse All-American Team... is a three-year varsity starter... has recorded 123 goals, 139 ground balls and 159 points during her HS playing career... led her team to a 13-4 record in 2021 and a state runner-up finish... is a two-time all-state performer, earning first-team all-state honors in 2021... played club lacrosse for Major Force Lacrosse... daughter of Ben and Jill Armitage... brother, Will, plays football at Allegheny College... plans to major in sports marketing.
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MAKAYLA AU |
Helped her team capture a conference title as a junior… helped her team advance to the state semifinals as a senior… also led her field hockey team to a state championship… is a three-year varsity letterwinner in field hockey and lacrosse… played club lacrosse for Summit Lacrosse… father, Shelly, played golf at Linfield College… also plays field hockey and basketball… plans to major in education.
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CORINNE BAKER |
Is a member of the tennis, lacrosse and swim teams… is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… has recorded 51 goals and five assists during her career… earned second-team All-GMC honors in lacrosse… also earned second-team All-GMC honors in tennis… helped her team capture the 2019 GMC Conference Title with an 18-4-1 record… helped the 2019 team advance to the OHSAA State Semifinals… helped the 2021 team post a 12-8 record with another GMC Conference Championship… played club lacrosse for CincyLax… helped her club team post a 14-2 record last season with a 14-2 record and a NXT Grand Prix Championships… father, Matt, played baseball at Ellsworth CC… plans to major in engineering physics.
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SAMANTHA BALARA |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays tennis… posted a 91 percent draw wins percentage… led her team to the state semifinals in 2018… helped her team post a 15-3 record in 2020… played club lacrosse for True IL… brother, Matthew, played lacrosse at Augustana College ('18)… plans to major in biology.
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ERIN BERLS |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays soccer… was her team's leading goal scorer last season… scored 20 goals as a freshman at Saratoga Springs HS… led her team to an 11-6 record at IMG Academy as a junior… played club lacrosse for ADK… father, Robert, played lacrosse at Yale… major is undecided.
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JADA BRANDON |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… posted a .601 saves percentage in goal… was named the conference's 'Defensive Player of the Year' last season… also earned all-conference honors… was the recipient of the All-American Academic Award… helped her team to an 8-2 record last season… played club lacrosse for Vand'al Lacrosse… helped her club team win two Park City Championships and a West Coast Cup Championship… intends to major in biology.
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EMMA CECILE |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays volleyball… earned all-conference first team honors… played club lacrosse for Monster Elite Lacrosse Club… helped her club team compile a 35-12 record… intends to major in criminal justice.
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SOPH COAN |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse... also participated in volleyball, soccer and ice hockey... posted 100 draw controls... was named an Under Armor All-American... earned Ultimate Elite honors from 2017-22... participated in the PLL Summit... was a two-time conference champion in volleyball... played club lacrosse for Ultimate NJ... father, Kevin, played rugby at Drexel... intends to major in business.
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GIANNA CUA |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also participates in gymnastics and competitive cheerleading… earned All-Ohio Second Team honors last season… also earned all-conference first team honors… helped her team post a 35-8 record over the last two seasons… played club lacrosse for Impact Lacrosse… father, Jamey, played football at Marietta College… intends to major in exercise science.
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AUBREY DEAN |
Served as team captain and was a four-time honor roll selection… earned the George Pulver Scholar-Athlete Award and the Athletic Director's Award… also played club lacrosse for ADK Lacrosse… major is exploratory.
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NATALIE ELLIS |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays volleyball… earned all-district honors in 2019… led her team to a school-record 12 wins (12-3 record) in 2019… helped her team post an 8-1 record in the spring of 2021… helped her volleyball team advance to the district and regional finals in 2021… also played club lacrosse for Capital Lacrosse Club… was a member of the Under Amour All-American Junior Spotlight Team… was a member of the DC Metro School Girls Team… intends to major in exercise science.
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SOPHIA GRIGSON |
Played at Cathedral HS (Indianapolis, Ind.) from 2017-18 and at La Salle Academy (Providence, R.I.) from 2018-21… finished her senior season with 20 goals, five assists and 35 draw controls… earned All-State Honorable Mention honors from the Rhode Island Lacrosse Coaches Association in 2021 after leading her team to the state semifinals… was also named to the RILCA All-State Rookie Team in 2019… played club lacrosse for Revolution Lacrosse… was a First and Second Honor Roll selection... major is exploratory.
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CATHERINE GURD |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse and field hockey… is a three-year captain in lacrosse… posted 28 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers during her junior season… earned first-team all-conference and first-team all-region honors last season… led her team to back-to-back state runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2019, compiling a 39-8 record during that span… earned academic All-Honors from (2017-21)… also played club lacrosse for Impact Lacrosse… father, Andy, played football at Ohio State ('91)… brother, Patrick, plays football at Ohio State… intends to major in biology.
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DYLAN HALLORAN |
Played one season (spring 2021) at Hartford… saw action in four matches at Hartford… was a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse and basketball at Kingwood HS (Texas)… also participated in volleyball and cheerleading… was a three-time Under Armour All-American… was a two-time all-district honoree… also played club lacrosse for 214 Lacrosse… father, Shawn, played football at Boston College… sister, Cassidy played lacrosse at Vermont ('21)… sister, Riley, plays lacrosse at Vermont… intends to major in education.
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MOLLY JANSSEN |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also played basketball and field hockey… led her team to a state championship in 2021, posting a perfect 18-0 record… led her team to a state runner-up finish in 2019 with a 15-2 record… helped her basketball team post a 36-28 record over the last three seasons… is a two-time, first-team all-state performer in lacrosse… is a two-time, first-team all-conference performer in lacrosse… was named an Academic All-American in 2020… is a three-time all-conference honoree in basketball… also played club lacrosse for True Illinois 2022 State Premier… led her team to a LAX America Championships in 2015 and 2019… led her team to a Top Cheddar Championship in 2016 and 2019… sister, Taylor, plays lacrosse at Aurora University… intends to major in business.
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JULIA KOGAN |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… has earned all-sectional and all-conference honors… helped her team post a 14-6 record last season, placing second in the conference standings… also played club lacrosse at True Lacrosse… was named to the True National Team from 2019-21… has also earned Nike American Select Midwest Team honors, Philly Showcase All-Star honors and Maryland Showcase All-Star honors… intends to major in biology.
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LOLA MANCUSO |
Is a four-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also participates in soccer, volleyball and dance… is a three-time all-district performer, earning first-team honors as a sophomore and junior… also played club lacrosse for Florida Select Lacrosse… mother, Lorena, played field hockey at Maryland… brother, Luca, plays soccer at NYU… intends to major in communications.
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MARY MASTRIAN |
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays soccer… is a four-time academic all-state honoree… helped her soccer team post a 13-2-2 record last season… led her lacrosse team to a 11-6 record last season… also played club lacrosse at Indy United… mother, Debra, played golf, field hockey and softball at Franklin College… brother, Patrick, plays baseball at Miami (Ohio)… intends to major in biology.
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KATELYN MCDONNELL |
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse and cross country… also plays soccer… led her lacrosse team to a 13-8 record last season with a district runner-up finish… led her cross country team to two district runner-up finishes… is a two-time academic All-Ohio recipient… winner of the Heart of a Champion Award and the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award… also played club lacrosse for Lucky Lax… intends to major in biomedical sciences.
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MARINA PISZCZOR |
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays hockey… earned all-conference honors last season… led her team to a 13-5 overall record… also played club lacrosse for New Wave… intends to major in criminal justice.
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SYDNEY SABA |
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also participates in soccer and track and field… named to the US Lacrosse Academic All-American Team… participated in the US Lacrosse National HS Tournament… was a WPIAL finalist and state quarterfinalist in lacrosse… earned WPIAL 'Rookie of the Year' honors in soccer... was a WPIAL Quarterfinalist and PIAA State Qualifier in the 4x800 in track… also played club lacrosse for Pittsburgh Premier Lacrosse… is a two-time Apex Showcase All-Star Team honoree… also named to the Gait Top-20 Showcase Team, the Under Armour All-America Midwest Command Team (2019) and the True National Team (2018)… mother, Shelly, played soccer at Boston College ('91)… intends to major in philosophy, politics and the public.
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MOLLY SMITH |
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse... named to the 2020 WPLL Futures Northern California Team... named to the 2021 US Lacrosse National Tournament NorCal Team 1... named to the 2021 American Select California/West Region Team... named to the 2021 American Select Team... was her high school team's co-leader in assists in 2021... led the team in goals and assists in 2020... earned the Coaches Award as a freshman... played club lacrosse for STEPS California... mother, Suzanne, played softball at Saint Mary's... intends to major in business.
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CLAIRE SLADE |
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also plays field hockey… is a four-time all-county performer in lacrosse and field hockey… led her lacrosse team to a regional title in 2021… led her field hockey team to a county championship in 2021… also played club lacrosse for M&D Black… named to the Under Armour Top-150 in 2019 and 2020… was a Nike Elite 120 selection in 2020 and All-American Junior Spotlight honoree in 2020… intends to major in biology.
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SAWYER WALKER |
Is a three-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse… also participates in cross country and track and field… led her team to back-to-back state championships in lacrosse, compiling a 30-2 overall record… was a two-time all-conference performer in track and lacrosse… earned academic all-conference honors in track and field… placed second at the state championships in the high jump… also played club lacrosse for Eastern Shore Lacrosse Club… father, Keith, is the head men's basketball coach at Allen University (SC)… brother, Dockery, played basketball at Brown University ('15)… intends to major in criminal justice.
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at Butler
Saturday, April 26
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at Vanderbilt
Wednesday, April 23
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at UConn
Saturday, April 19
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse vs Villanova
Saturday, April 12