This week Visit Concord looks at the stars of Lacrosse, Water Polo and Swimming
From faceoffs to cross checks, lacrosse players are known for playing hard and giving it their all every time. While these seniors had their season cut short, many will get to dominate the field at college next year. For now, we’re cheering them from the sidelines and looking forward to seeing what else these stellar athletes can do.
Riley Ledin and Jason Eide have played for College Park’s varsity team all four years, but the boys’ lacrosse careers and friendship started much earlier. Ledin and Eide have actually been playing the sport together since they were in elementary school.
Now, Eide has committed to Gwynedd Mercy University’s NCAA Griffins. Throughout his lacrosse career at CP, he’s been named captain twice, been awarded the CP Offensive Excellence award, and been on the DAL League 1st Team.
This season alone, Eide averaged 5 points per game-- that’s 3.3 Goals, 2.1 Assists. His coach says, “Jason has led the team by example for years. He is an incredibly skilled, motivated, hard worker with a contagious spirit and joy for the game.”
Riley Ledin has been an exceptional lacrosse player throughout his highschool career. The two-time team captain has earned the CP Offensive Excellence award and DAL League Honorable Mention. Just this season, Ledin averaged 5 points per game.
According to his coach, “Riley has been an inspiration, leader, and testament to hard work and dedication translating to excellence on the field.”
Their coach explained that both these senior boys have made outstanding contributions to College Park Lacrosse and the school over the last four years.
Carondelet Players more than hold their own on the field, and this season Gabriella Riva and Emma Scaff have excelled on and off the field.
Throughout the season, Riva--the team captain-- has demonstrated the leadership that comes with being a top student and player. Having played on the varsity team since her freshman year, the now graduating senior has high percentages for her faceoffs and her shots on goal.
Scaff, too, has more than proved her skill with a lacrosse stick. She’s been a key player in many of their games this season. This two sport athlete also plays soccer. The graduating senior has been named player of the game on more than one occasion.
This year the team went undefeated for the first 4 games.
(Left) Mackenzie Haley #8
Known by her teammates as Mac, she is a third year varsity player. She is a starter on attack, and describes her playing style as aggressive, aware, and spirited. One of her favorite lacrosse memories is from the Boys vs Girls game in 2019, and the fun she had with her team mates.
Mackenzie plans on attending DVC next year.
(Middle) Kennedy Murphy, #20
Kennedy is a 4 year starter on Varsity. She plays defense and midfield. Three words to describe Kennedy as a player are determined, passionate, and relentless. Her teammates can always count on her hustle on the field, and to get the ball. She is still deciding on which school she will attend next year. Kennedy's favorite lacrosse memory is a pasta feed from Sarah's house.
(Right) Miranda Romo #13
Outgoing, friendly, and energetic- three words to describe Miranda, a three year varsity starter, owning her defensive position. Miranda is known for her leadership on the field through her communication. a dual sport athlete, Miranda also is on the CV Cheer team. She is deciding between two Universities at this time- University of Arizona and Texas Christian. Miranda's favorite lacrosse memory is when the team broke the school record for wins, with win number 13, her lucky number!
Gunner Oakley played two sports throughout his high school career while also maintaining a 4.5 GPA. While he is still waiting on where he will attend school next Fall, he will stick with his love of lacrosse into this next chapter. Last season, the senior attack man was voted 1st team All League and points leader before the stoppage.
Jack Garner has been described by his coach as “The hardest worker on the team.” The senior midfielder was a year round player: fall ball and spring season all while maintaining a 4.5 GPA or higher for his four years at Clayton valley.
Both athletes are in the engineering academy currently awaiting acceptances from college engineering programs. Their coach is pushing for the two to be selected to the US Lacrosse Academic All American Team.
The talent for Clayton Valley “LAX-ers” doesn’t stop with these talented athletes. Seniors from the team have already committed to impressive collegiate lacrosse programs:
Clayton Valley’s lacrosse team is rounded out by other amazing senior players including:
DI lacrosse program Merrimack College - Casey Barnes, senior defenseman
DIII lacrosse program Concordia Wisconsin - Jackson Nosrati, senior long stick midfielder
NAIA lacrosse program William Penn University - Anthony Abramov, senior defenseman
Dominican University lacrosse program (preparing for DII play) senior attack man Connor Barnes
Maci Sekander - Senior goaltender has been protecting the net all year
Corrie Broadwell - Senior Long Stick Midfielder
These schools might have students that can fly across the field, but these stellar student athletes do some flying of their own-- butterfly stroke that is. With PRs and wet passes, these aquatic women have excelled in and out of the water.
The Ugly Eagles might be known for flying across the field, but this Clayton Valley athlete blocks with the best of them-- but her field is a swimming pool.
Jordan Frost is a 4 year Varsity Water Polo goalkeeper at Clayton Valley Charter High School. Throughout her career at CVCHS, she broke and now holds the school’s goalkeeping records in the categories of saves, steals and assists.
Outside of high school, she plays year round water polo for the 680 Drivers Club Team. She excels outside of the pool as well and has maintained a 4.0 gpa and membership to the Public Service Academy. Jordan has committed to play Division 1 water polo at UC Irvine.
Her coach says, “A goalie is the last line of defense and you could always rely on Jordan to have your back. She has a strong passion for the sport and her grit and determination is unmatched. As a coach you are always excited to have players like Jordan on your team.”
Kaitlyn Sheffield and Gigi Baldacci have excelled both in and out of the water this year. According to their swim coach, Sheffield excels in backstroke while Baldacc cuts through the water with breaststroke.
Scheffield is a year round swimmer who leaves the competition in her dust-- or in this case her bubbles. The senior athlete also plays water polo for Carondelet.
Baldacci is also a year round swimmer who’s been breaking and making PRs since she started. Breast stroke and freestyle are her favorites and the strokes she prefers. She has committed to swim for Boston College next year.