This month we will focus on three athletes who recently committed to play sports in college:
Ava Carpenter, Sofia Conrey, Brooke Schultz
MB: Tell us when you first started playing lacrosse and running cross country, when did you know this was your passion.
SC: I first started playing lacrosse in pre school with my brothers and dad, just running around with a stick. Ever since I found out college sports were a thing, I knew I wanted to play. As for Cross Country, I started running my junior year and had so much fun, then senior year I realized I wasn’t done with Cross Country yet. I emailed the Roanoke Coach and it was set from there!
MB: How often do you practice and how do you stay active?
SC: I try to touch my stick every day, whether that’s shooting, wall ball, or cradling a ball in my stick while watching TV. When I’m not in Lacrosse season, I stay active with Cross Country and Winter track. I also try to lift as much as I can during the week and weekends to improve myself for both lacrosse and cross country.
MB: How did you decide on Roanoke and when did you realize it was the team for you?
SC: Picking a school was very hard for me, all of the schools had so many different pros and cons. At first I knew nothing about Roanoke, and barely thought about it. But as my list narrowed down it stayed on there. Once I drove down through Virginia I immediately realized I wanted to be there. I fell in love with the campus and the culture of the school. Then I met the team on an unofficial visit and had so much fun, I knew Roanoke was the place for me. I decided on Roanoke because of their beautiful campus and modern athletic facilities, along with their electric and enthusiastic coach and team culture. Their plethora of options and opportunities for majors also sealed the deal for me!
MB: What did you take into consideration when looking at DIII programs?
SC: Whenever I was interested or curious about a school, I would first look at their options of majors. If they don’t have something that would align with my intended major, I would just be setting myself back for the sport. Then I would look at how big the school was, I knew I wanted a small school. I would also pay attention to the campus and how the students’ lives were day to day (food, friends, class, ect). Finally, I would look at their location. I knew I preferred to go somewhere rural and warmer. I also made sure that the town outside the campus was nice. If a school didn’t check one of those boxes, chances are they were off my list!
MB: What were your highlights this season?
SC: My junior year lacrosse season was definitely a fun one. It was my first year with a starting varsity position so I was very excited and proud to be able to play. Although we didn’t get as far as we wanted to, it taught me a lot of valuable lessons that I will carry with me in life, and for the rest of my lacrosse career. Cross country wise, I ended up running a lot better than I expected to, being in the top 7 and running in the state championship and Meet of Champs. It was very exciting when our team placed 5th in the state, and beat the team we lost to at states.
MB:What are you looking forward to in the next season?
SC: My senior season for lacrosse I am looking forward to a lot of things. First of all, I will finally be put in a leadership position being a senior. Secondly, this year we are eager to win sectionals and hopefully bring home a state championship! And my next Cross Country season I will be at Roanoke. I am excited to meet my new teammates and run with new coaches and friends. Cross Country has been an outlet for me so I am excited to see how I handle the next level!!
MB: What is your favorite college lacrosse team?
SC: If I couldn’t say Roanoke, it would have to be Clemson or UNC. I love the schools and the way the girls play! Always fun to watch and learn from.
MB: What do you do in your free time?
SC: I don’t get to go to the gym often so I love to go to the gym, but I also enjoy hot yoga and pilates! I always feel more balanced and centered after them. When I’m looking for lounge time I love to paint as well.
MB: What advice do you have for young lacrosse players and young runners just starting out?
SC: Stay confident! I had my best races and games when I felt calm and confident. If I was ever doubting myself I would have to rely on myself or my teammates to pick me up and help me get back to being myself! I’ve always believed that a lack of confidence is what breaks an athlete, and also that you have to “fake it till you make it” sometimes!
Haddonfield Soccer and Lacrosse player Brooke Schultz committed to Penn State University. Let’s hear what the Division One Athlete has to say about her decision and career.
MB: Tell us when you first started playing lacrosse and when you knew you this was your passion.
BS: I first started playing in 2017, when I was eight. I knew it was my passion when I realized it was the sport I enjoyed the most. Lacrosse has always been the sport I always looked forward to and I knew how fun it was from the start.
MB: How often do you practice and how do you stay active?
BS: I make sure to practice multiple times per week and always stay active by working out, training and running.
MB: How did you decide on Penn State and when did you realize it was the team for you?
BS: I chose Penn State because during my visit it just felt like the right fit for me. The team and environment was super welcoming and it helped make the decision easy.
MB: What did you take into consideration when looking at D1 programs?
BS: I wanted to make sure it was a place that I could see myself for the next four years, while also receiving a good education.
MB: What were your highlights this past soccer season, especially after you had already committed?
BS: All our team dinners and practices were definitely a highlight for me. I loved getting to be all together for a long season, and always looking forward to the next practice.
MB: What are you looking forward to in the upcoming lacrosse season?
BS: I’m really looking forward to all the players and the time we get to spend together, getting to grow as a team and people.
MB: What is your favorite college lacrosse team?
BS: My favorite college lacrosse team is Penn State. I love this team because of the great environment that surrounds it.
MB: What do you do in your free time?
BS: In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family.
MB: What advice do you have for young lacrosse players just starting out?
BS: Always work hard and never give up, but make sure to have fun through it all.
MB: Tell us when you first started playing lacrosse and when you knew you this was your passion.
AC: I’ve been playing lacrosse for as long as I can remember! My older sister, Sadie, played lacrosse so my dad would always take up to go play. I had always had so much fun with it but I didn’t know if I wanted to go to college for it till I was in (th grade and it became more serious. I just set my mind to it and
MB: How often do you practice and how do you stay active?
AC: I try to practice at least 4 times a week to make sure I stay on top of stick work. I stay active by running and doing drills.
MB: How did you decide on Quinnipiac and when did you realize it was the team for you?
AC: I had never heard of Quinnipiac before they reached out, but when I went to visit I just instantly knew this is what I wanted. The moment I got there I met the whole team and everyone was so nice and really made me feel so comfortable.
MB: What did you take into consideration when looking at DI programs
AC: I went into recruiting with an open mind. I didn’t even know if I would get any offers. I ended up getting offers from a bunch of schools that were very different. With this I had to consider things like occasions and climates that I wanted. Along with distance from home and what kind of team I want to play on.
MB: What were your highlights this season?
AC: Last season one of my best games was the game against Shawnee. This game was very hectic. We were two men down and up by one with only a few seconds to go. This was my best game of the season.
MB:What are you looking forward to in the next season?
AC: I cannot wait to get back onto the field and play our Friday night lights game against Morristown. This is always an intense game, they are our rivals.
MB: What is your favorite college lacrosse team?
AC: Well of course mine is Quinnipiac… but besides that I really love Boston College. They have some amazing players and I think they all just play really well together
MB: What do you do in your free time?
AC: In my free time I love hanging out with my friends and family. I love to shoot around in lacrosse and pass with friends as well.
MB: What advice do you have for young lacrosse players just starting out?
AC: Have fun with it and stick with it. I know it’s hard in the beginning learning how to catch and throw, but do wallball and keep practicing it will come to you!
