The seven seniors on the 2021 Kalamazoo College women's lacrosse team were honored prior to a home game on Saturday, April 10. Following is what was read during the ceremony:
Prior to today's contest, the Kalamazoo College women's lacrosse program would like to recognize our seven seniors for their dedication and on and off-field contributions to the growth and success of our team. The Class of 2021 is an amazing group who has led our program with hard work, love, and humor over the last four years.
In addition to the seven seniors who we will recognize on the field, we would also like to recognize Riley Davis and Sam Jacobsen who are in the stands today. While not participating in their senior season of lacrosse due to COVID-19, Riley and Sam have been integral members of our class of 2021. Riley was a three-year defender for our team and will graduate this spring as biology major with a concentration in neuroscience. Sam was a three-year attacker for us and will graduate as a double major in biology and psychology with a concentration in community and global health. We love you both and are so glad you're here today.
Now to announce our senior class:
Lilly came to Kalamazoo from Exton, Pennsylvania. She is graduating this spring as a Chemistry major, and completed her senior project in Chemistry entitled "Analysis of the Functional Evolution of the Alzheimer's Disease Protease BACE in Mnemiopsis Leidyi." At Kalamazoo, she has also been active in SAAC and has been an SI leader and conducted research in the biology lab. Lilly studied abroad in Budapest, Hungary as a junior. On the field, Lilly graduates this spring as a four-year starter in the midfield and a two-year team captain. Lilly enters today's game with 97 career points, and is the Kalamazoo College career leader in ground balls with 124 and caused turnovers with 66.
After graduating from Kalamazoo College this spring, Lilly will attend medical school.
Gwen came to Kalamazoo College from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is graduating this spring as a double major in psychology and anthropology and sociology and completed her senior project entitled "Creation of Political Conspiracy Theories Indirectly through Post-Truth by way of False Information in Politics and Social Media". While at Kalamazoo, in addition to playing lacrosse, Gwen has been active in lighting and sound design for our theater productions, and she studied abroad in Athens, Greece as a junior.
On the field, Gwen graduates as a three-year starter in goal and enters today's game with 112 career saves. After graduating from Kalamazoo, Gwen plans to work as a research assistant in social psychology or sociology.
Bekah is from Richland, Michigan, and is graduating this spring as an economics major, Spanish and Chinese double minor, and has a concentration in film and media studies. In addition to playing lacrosse, she is also an executive board member of the Sports Business Club and is involved in the Women in Economics and Business Club and the Film Club. Bekah studied abroad in Kunming, Shanghai, and Beijing, China as a junior.
Bekah is a four-year defender for the Hornets and is the leader of the team's defense.
After graduating from Kalamazoo College this spring, Bekah will continue to pursue a career in videography and documentary filmmaking.
Rachel came to Kalamazoo from DeWitt, Michigan. She is graduating this spring as a biology major, and completed her senior project on "Topics in Biology: COVID-19". At Kalamazoo, she has also been active in SAAC, the Pre-Dental Club, Read and Write Kalamazoo, and Special Olympics. Rachel studied abroad in Rome, Italy during her junior year.
On the field, Rachel graduates this spring as a four-year starter in the midfield and a two-year team captain. Rachel was named first team All-MIAA in both her freshman and sophomore seasons. She enters today's game with 220 career points, 203 goals, and 389 draw controls - all Kalamazoo College records. She ranks third in the NCAA DIII women's lacrosse record books in career draw controls per game.
After graduating from Kalamazoo this spring, Rachel will attend dental school at the School of Dental Medicine at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Florida.
Jordan came to Kalamazoo from Oakland Township, Michigan. She is graduating this spring as a biology
major, and completed her senior project in Biology entitled "Comparison of Monarch Abundance in Prairies and Roadsides in Kalamazoo, MI." At Kalamazoo, she has also been active with Special Olympics and studied abroad in Costa Rica during her junior year, studying Spanish and volunteering at an ecology park.
On the field, Jordan has been a four-year starter on attack and is a team captain this year. Jordan runs our offensive unit and is key to our success in transition. After graduating from Kalamazoo this spring, Jordan plans to work in wildlife conservation research.
Leah transferred to Kalamazoo as a sophomore from the University of Detroit Mercy and is from Plymouth, Michigan. She is graduating this spring as an Economics major, and completed her senior project in Economics entitled "A Theoretical Analysis of OPEC with Economic Cartel Theory and Saudi Arabia's Dominance in the Oil Market." At Kalamazoo, she is also an executive board member of both the Sports Business Club and SAAC, and is a member of the Law Society and the Women in Economics and Business Club. Leah studied abroad in Athens, Greece as a junior.
On the field, Leah graduates as a three-year starter in the midfield. Lilly enters today's game with 97 career points, and is the Kalamazoo College career leader in ground balls with 124 and caused turnovers with 66. After graduating from Kalamazoo College, Leah plans to attend law school.
Hannah came to Kalamazoo from West Bloomfield, Michigan. She is graduating as a biology major with a minor in psychology, and completed her senior project in biology entitled "Exploration of Urban Ecology." At Kalamazoo, she has also been a four-year starter as the goalie of the women's soccer team, is the founder and president of the ASL Club, and has been involved with Hillel and the Office of Outdoor Programs. During her junior spring, Hannah did a Wilderness Medicine and Rescue Semester in Wyoming through the National Outdoor Leadership School.
On the field, Hannah graduates this spring as a three-year starter on defense and occasionally in the midfield. She is the teammate that the rest of the team is most scared to be chased by. After graduating from K, Hannah plans to be on Survivor and win, travel to all of the US National Parks, and attend graduate school to become an athletic trainer.
Wolfe has a joke to share with the crowd:
How did the lacrosse player cross the road? She used lacrosse walk.
The team and coaches would like to thank our seniors for their relentless pursuit of personal and team excellence through the past four years. They are amazing students, athletes, and leaders, and most importantly, they are truly wonderful people. This game is for you.