Hamilton Girls’ Lacrosse: Senior Spotlights
Cover photo provided by Christina Dahl.
Emma Suneja
The Hamilton Girls’ Lacrosse team has had a revolutionary year. This year the girls got a new
coach and started playing on a new field. When founder of the program Eric Hersback announced his retirement last year, students were nervous to see if there would be another coach for the team. Thankfully the team is under the leadership of a new Hamilton gym teacher, Mr. Rhys Gibbs. Gibbs enlisted the help of assistant coach Kate Ciriacks and together the two of them have led this team to an amazing season.
Both the Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse teams are triad teams combined with Menomonee Falls High School and Germantown High School. Together these schools play under the name Hamilton Chargers and spread their love for the sport. This is not uncommon in the Greater Metro Area as multiple teams combine with other schools to field a team. This year, the Hamilton Chargers were able to have both a competitive Varsity and Junior Varsity team.
This article is mainly to feature the seniors who have had a huge impact on the team. Head Coach Rhys Gibbs says, “The seniors this year have played a huge role in the team, both being role models for their younger teammates, and guiding me, their coach, with the sport of lacrosse. They care so much for the sport. Their commitment has been really inspiring to see.”
Hamilton Seniors
Johanne Liot
How many years have you played lacrosse?
1
What have you learned from playing lacrosse?
How to play with a team.
What is your favorite memory of lacrosse?
When we won our first game.
Is there anyone you want to shout out that has helped you with this journey?
My host parents and Hadley.
Sienna Kenney
How many years have you played lacrosse?
4
What have you learned from playing lacrosse?
I have learned to make mistakes and grow from them (and not just say I will). Lacrosse is an unnatural sport for anyone and learning to catch and throw a small rubber ball with a stick did not come as naturally as I had hoped. However, I truly enjoy playing which has made the mistakes seem less discouraging overall. I feel very at home on the field and with my team, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
What is your favorite memory of lacrosse?
My favorite memory of lacrosse has to be all the laughs I have had over the years. From poking fun at each other or goofing around with our new coach, Rhys Gibbs, I will never forget all the fun that I have had with this team. Being able to be myself at practice, on the field, and during team events is something I am truly grateful for and do not think I could have found in any other sport or team in high school.
Is there anyone you want to shout out that has helped you with this journey?
I would first like to shout out my beloved parents who come to as many games as possible, and leave me cute notes in my bedroom when they cannot attend, encouraging me and wishing me luck. My father, who has played sports his entire life, has been tough on me at times but in a way that has made me push myself and increase the effort that I put forth on the field. He knows how to make me feel accomplished and celebrate my athletic achievements, no matter how small. My mother is the true rock of my athletic career, keeping me mentally composed and physically functioning when times got hard. I love hearing her yell, "Let's go Chargers!" from the crowd because I can tell it is her yelling the loudest every time, and it never fails to put a smile on my face. Without my parents, I would not have been as confident and successful in lacrosse as I am today.
I would also like to shout out our new coach Mr. Gibbs. Gibbs, while not very experienced with the sport of lacrosse, made it his mission to learn as much about the sport and effective coaching as he could while taking on this role as coach. Without him, I would not have had a senior season of lacrosse, which I am forever grateful for. He has not only given me hope for the future of our team, but he has instilled great discipline, humor, and drive within myself that I am excited to be taking with me as I explore my future endeavors. Gibbs is a silly man with a great heart and I am honored to have known him my senior year.
Morgan Matuszak
How many years have you played lacrosse?
2
What have you learned from playing lacrosse?
Patience
What is your favorite memory of lacrosse?
Not being able to stop laughing on a cold and long Thursday practice.
Menomonee Falls Seniors
Khloe Peterson
How many years have you played lacrosse?
2
What have you learned from playing lacrosse?
How to play with a team.
What is your favorite memory of lacrosse?
Practices, taking stats for the varsity games, and Gibbs belching.
Is there anyone you want to shout out that has helped you with this journey?
Emma S, Evi, and the coaches.
Alexis Reynolds
How many years have you played lacrosse?
2
What have you learned from playing lacrosse?
How to properly defend and cradle a ball.
What is your favorite memory of lacrosse?
For our first game last year we didn’t have our jerseys so we all had to make numbers with tape on our practice jerseys on the bus ride to the game and play in those.
Is there anyone you want to shout out that has helped you with this journey?
Alayna Seewald, she was the one who convinced me to go to the open gyms and constantly encouraged me. She’s the reason I can say I love lacrosse!
Germantown Seniors
Annika Jarck
How many years have you played lacrosse?
1
What have you learned from playing lacrosse?
Team spirit, discipline, and how fun it is to play in a team and support your teammates.
What is your favorite memory of lacrosse?
Our win against DSHA and hanging out with everyone at Neenah after our JV game.
Is there anyone you want to shout out that has helped you with this journey?
Madeline, she told me about lacrosse and convinced me to try it out. Cassie and Brooke who drove me to practice every week and invited me to their friend group.
Madeline Jakusz
How many years have you played lacrosse?
2
What have you learned from playing lacrosse?
Trying new things can be kind of scary at first, but once you get past the initial fear it is really fun.
What is your favorite memory of lacrosse?
Scoring my first goal.
Is there anyone you want to shout out that has helped you with this journey?
Probably all of the coaches who have taught me the sport and my parents for buying me a stick and coming to all of my games.
