“Being back at Merion Mercy is a dream come true,” said Lee, who was a player on that 1995 state championship squad. “I have always wanted to be a coach, and it is such an honor to be able to come back and coach at the place where it all started for me.

“I love that I get to be in a space where I have had great support and coaching and I know that Coach D (the late Joe D’Antonio, who coached the 1995 Merion Mercy squad) is smiling down on me right now. All I want to do is make sure that these girls have a great experience like I did. Have fun playing basketball and learn some life lessons along the way.”

Lee’s favorite memory of that 1995 championship season was cutting down the net at the old Hersheypark Arena after the PIAA Class AA state final, a 58-43 win against District 6 champion Bishop Guilfoyle.

The Golden Bears, who won the District 1 2A title that year, had an exciting road to the state title. Merion Mercy beat District 3 champion Columbia 49-47 in the quarterfinals and defeated Pine Grove 64-57 in overtime in the semifinals.

“I had a crazy season, missing so many games and being able to come back when it all was special,” said Lee. “Seeing the sea of Merion Mercy students and parents cheering us on was epic to me. Then having a parade for us down the streets of Narberth just took it to another level.”

Last month, the 1995 Merion Mercy basketball squad was inducted into the school’s new Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Merion Mercy Academy in 1995, Lee went on to play basketball for Villanova University, where she was a four-year letter winner for the Wildcats and a captain her senior year. She is Villanova’s all-time assists leader and ranks ninth all-time in steals. Lee received All-Philadelphia Big Five Honors as a freshman (Rookie of the Year) in 1996, and later in her Villanova career received Second Team accolades.

Lee then served as an assistant coach to the legendary Harry Perretta for 21 years at Villanova. During that time, she was responsible for the administration of the program, served as the student-athlete academic services liaison, and assisted in the recruitment of student-athletes, including recent Villanova standout Maddy Siegrist.

“At Villanova, I gained confidence and a clearer understanding of how I want to be as a head coach,” said Lee. “I want to be firm, yet fair but have a ton of fun. And now I know that I can do all those things. I love that I got to be mentored by Harry Perretta and Joe Mullaney —  an offensive genius in Harry, and Joe, who taught me how to coach defenses. I feel like I had the best of both sides of the game which is also what has given me the confidence that I have now. I know basketball because of them and it makes it easier to be who I am today.”

Perretta said, “Shanette is a hard worker but she is also willing to learn; she really listens and talks to a lot of different (basketball) people. Put that together with her great work ethic, and that makes a really good coach.”

Perretta had watched Lee as a player at Merion Mercy Academy in the mid-1990s.

“I was particularly impressed with her intelligent style of play,” said Perretta. “She brought that student of the game philosophy with her to Villanova, which is why she was such a good point guard for us.”

For the past three years, Lee has served as head basketball coach at the Agnes Irwin School, where she also was an assistant for the Athletic Department and a physical education teacher in the Lower School. Lee led the Owls to the Commonwealth Cup championship, beating Germantown Friends in the final.

Lee also currently coaches for the Philly Rise girls’ basketball club, an AAU program.

Main Line Media News: Can you tell us the purpose of E-STREAM, and some of its most interesting activities?

Samantha Ross: E-STREAM is Merion’s creative STEM club, blending electronics, robotics, and art to foster exploration. I primarily focus on the VEX robotics side of the club, leading its startup this year, while also participating in the GovSTEM competition for fun. Our efforts in VEX robotics have opened doors for girls interested in robotics competitions and engineering. Additionally, we launched a space team, participating in NASA’s SPARX project, offering exciting virtual opportunities throughout the year.

Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about your goals as VEX Robotics leader.

Samantha Ross: Despite its newness this year, the program has been an incredible journey. As the student leader, I aim to foster skill development among our members, advocate for increased STEM education, boost participation, foster innovation, and, naturally, ensure we have a blast! Being a passionate advocate for inspiration, I believe that promoting STEM education and opportunities is pivotal for student growth. By expanding technical skills and involving more students and mentors, we encourage innovation and creativity. With VEX robots largely being self-designed, I enjoy the collaborative process of exchanging ideas to advance ingenuity.

Main Line Media News: As a member of the Blue Key Society, what is the most important thing you have learned about leadership?

Samantha Ross: Through my role in the Blue Key Society as a member and in-reach liaison, I’ve come to understand that leadership hinges on integrity, communication, positivity, and empowerment.

Main Line Media News: You are joint leader of Fioritura Quartet, the Merion School Orchestra concertmaster and a member of the Delaware County Youth Orchestra. What is your favorite performance piece of music with these groups and why?

Samantha Ross: While all the ensembles have different repertoire, my favorite piece from these has to be from DCYO, either Beethoven’s Leonore Overture no. 3, or Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony in E Minor – III. Lento con molto espressione. While we have also played great pieces by Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, and Brahms, these pieces in particular stuck to me. Beach’s Gaelic Symphony was a beautiful lush romantic piece, while Beethoven’s Leonore is magnificent through the effective use of chordal and harmonic tones. Additionally, the motive of the woodwind and string “call and response” sections are wonderfully written, while the string buildup takes over the piece, and is so fun! Especially during rehearsals, many people would have a big smile on their face as it is exhilarating to play. While I could probably go on and on (since I adore classical music), I really enjoy the standard classical era and romantic era structure and styles that we have played in the ensemble.

Main Line Media News: You are a member of several honor societies – tell us a little about the most worthwhile service activity you’ve participated in through these honor societies.

Samantha Ross: As a SNHS (Science National Honors Society) member, I actively engaged in various science initiatives at Waldron Academy, collaborating with middle school students. One of the most worthwhile activities was my participation in helping assist in a forensics hair activity for Waldron’s STEM team. Witnessing young girls immerse themselves in hands-on science was immensely fulfilling, particularly as I had recently experienced similar opportunities in my own forensics class. It’s truly inspiring to witness more students igniting their passion for STEM!

Main Line Media News: You mentioned that your favorite current course at Merion Mercy is Robotics – why?

Samantha Ross: I’ve been able to dive into VEX robotics independently, tinker with Sphero robots, tackle various design challenges, and embark on a passion project. My chosen task is constructing a miniature rocket from a professional kit, diving headfirst into the intricate realm of hands-on experimentation. I look forward to being able to work on this!

Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book, and why?

Samantha Ross: For contemporary literature, I enjoyed Fahrenheit 451 as it was the first type of dystopian novel I read, and also the themes that could be explored were fun to dive into. Outside of contemporary works, I really enjoyed Hamlet. I loved every second of deep analysis and discussion in and outside of class. Around the same time this year, I found a new enjoyment in Shakespeare’s literature and went on to read Coriolanus, one of his other tragedies, which I also found interesting. The ability to dive into the text, theme, complex characters, and analysis, led me to my enjoyment.

(To be selected as Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)

To view a gallery of the previous Main Line Students of the Week click here

Q: Tell us a little about your 300th career save – can you describe how the play unfolded, and your role in it?

A: To be completely transparent, I had no idea that it was my 300th save. I knew I was on pace to reach the milestone, but I had no clue if I had already hit it or still had to, it’s never really been something on my mind, especially during the game! The actual save however came off of a great forced shot from my defense which allowed me to get my body behind the ball and make the save towards the end of the game.

Q: Can you give us an example of how good communication between the goalie and the defense has helped the EA girls lacrosse team this season?

A: Our ability to communicate as a defensive unit has been the core of our defense. I like to think of communication as the glue of our D, and between me and our D. Communication has allowed us to make adjustments, and since our team has played several types of defense this year it helps us stay organized, such as knowing where the ball is and when we need help.

Q: Have you always been a goalie, or have you played other positions as well? What originally attracted you to the goalie position?

A: I played defense (and all over the field) until about 3rd grade. Ever since I tried playing goalie, when we all were forced to try, I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the feeling of making a huge save or even getting hit with the ball and I gravitated towards the position. I started permanently playing goalie as early as I could and I definitely did not enjoy the field so that helped my decision.

Q: You rebounded back from an injury earlier this season that reduced your playing time. What was the biggest challenge you faced in your rehabilitation, and how did you meet that challenge?

A: I would say the biggest challenge was actually when I began to return to sport. Early on I could focus on the little things but when I got back to playing it was difficult since getting in goal was a goal I had been working towards for months, so accepting it would take work to get to my old self was hard. I got through it by tackling my frustration head on and putting in the work to improve, I learned that I had to be patient with myself and keep pushing. Just like early on in recovery I had to take it day by day and not focus on the outcome, rather the process, that really helped and was a huge lesson for me and continues to be!

Q: Who have been your biggest lacrosse mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?

A: My biggest lacrosse mentor is Kate Goldstein who has been my goalie coach since 5th grade. She has taught me countless things about my game itself, and is always very wise and she is always making me a better player. More importantly, she has taught me to believe in myself and trust the hard work I have put in, and has overall helped me with the mental side of being a goalie. She always pumps me up and believes in me while giving me great advice. She has pretty much shaped me into the player I am today.

Q: What aspect of your play are you currently working on the most at the present time?

A: Currently I am working on really committing to the ball, and going out to it, not just up, as well as driving off my back foot.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment as a lacrosse player outside of EA?

A: My most memorable lacrosse moment outside of EA would probably be being able to play on the U-16 USA select team two summers ago. Playing at a high level and with so many talented and older players was such a fun and new experience. I looked up to the players I was playing with and it was so incredible and an honor to wear the USA on my jersey.

Q: What is your favorite academic subject at EA? What do you plan to major in at Boston College?

A: My favorite subject is AP Biology. I plan on entering the business school at Boston College and possibly majoring in finance but might switch to a pre-med track/STEM major if I don’t find that interesting.

Fun facts – Grace Holland
Favorite book: Can’t Hurt Me.

Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy.

Favorite athlete: Caitlin Clark.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Hall of Fame.

Favorite pre-game meal: Chicken parm.

Person I most admire, and why: “My Dad, he has shown me that through hard work anything is possible, and constantly reminds me to believe in myself and never give up.”

Family members: parents Tim and Meredith, younger brother Spencer.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)

To view a gallery of the previous Main Line Students of the Week click here

Q: What have you worked on most recently regarding your hitting?

A: Recently I have been working on being aggressive early in the at bat. I go to the plate with the same approach, being aggressive, hunting a fastball on the first pitch because it is normally the best pitch I get during my at bats. If I foul off the fastball or don’t get it on the first pitch I try to be more loose with my hands and hit the ball to the opposite field.

Q: You delivered a big two-out, two-run single in the Friends Schools League championship final. Tell us a little about it.

A: I went to the plate with the same approach I always have. Donny (Rieck) had a big double before me and Caleb (Bachman) also got on base, changing the momentum and putting me in a big spot with runners in scoring position. Due to a wild pitch they advanced to second and third. It was a 1-0 count and I was sitting back and trying to work to the opposite field. Having hit off the pitcher before, I knew the pitcher could not beat me with a fastball. The pitcher then threw an outside fastball which allowed me to hit a line drive down the right field line to score both runners.

Q: As a hitter, you probably have a better idea of what a pitcher will be throwing the more you see him. Can you tell us a few of the things you look for when facing a pitcher that you’ve seen several times before?

A: When facing a pitcher I have seen a couple of times I gain information from past at bats that helps me and my approach at the plate. I look at what pitches I saw in my previous at bats and where I saw them and then use that to guide my next at bat, which helps me know what pitches to hunt. Facing the same pitchers over and over again also allows me to pick up on the spin of the ball and the different releases the pitchers have for their pitches, making it easier to pick up on off speed pitches. It also allows me to get a feel for his fastball and how much I need to sit on it, helping my timing.

Q: What has been your favorite experience with the Friends’ Central baseball team this season?

A: Our home game against Perkiomen, where Brendan Aiken hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in organized baseball – what originally sparked your interest in competitive baseball?

A: Growing up with an older brother and a dad who was very involved in Llanerch Hills Little League, I was always at the field and sometimes played up with my brothers’ teams. This allowed me to be around baseball pretty much every day and play with my friends. This really sparked my interest in baseball and playing summer baseball only allowed my love for the game to grow. Playing against the best kids from different towns made the game more competitive, which I loved.

Q: Have you always been a third baseman? What attracted you to the hot corner? What aspect of your fielding are you working on most currently?

A: Growing up I always played shortstop and then 13U and on, I played both infield and outfield wherever I was needed. Coming into Friends Central I was the designated hitter my freshman year and played  in the outfield, due to a very good senior class and very solid infield. This year I was given the opportunity to start at third base after a long offseason of working on fielding that position. Currently I am working on slowing things down a little bit and not rushing my throws. I am also working on my charging backhand and my bare hand to allow me to have more range on bunts and slower balls down the line.

Q: Who have been your most influential baseball mentors and what has been the most valuable thing each of them have taught you?

A: Growing up my father and grandfather were the most influential people in my baseball career because they were always teaching me new things about hitting and hitting me ground balls to work on my fielding. Since I came to Friends Central, Pablo (Spielman-Rodriguez) and Brendan (Aiken) have taken me under their wings with any questions about fielding, hitting or base running. If I ever had a question they were there to guide me. I also had the opportunity to play with my older brother Mike the last two seasons which was awesome. They would always give me suggestions and new things to try with hitting and fielding to broaden my game and find out the best fits for me. If I was ever down on myself, they would be there for me and pick me up. They have taught me so much I can’t really say one thing specifically, but I am grateful I have had them as mentors.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a contest.

A: My pre game routine is the same every game. Whether it is a home or away game I start the day making sure I eat a good breakfast and listen to music on the way to school. Right when I get out of school I listen to music to get in my zone and focus on my breathing and keeping a positive mindset. When I get to the fields we stretch as a team and then I do my personal stretches in the same order every game. Right before infield/outfield, I walk a little away from the team and crouch down alone and think about how lucky I am to get to play that day and get myself hyped to play. .

Q: What is your favorite baseball field, and why?

A: My favorite field is Citizens Bank Park, because I have been watching my favorite players and team playing on it since I was a little kid and it’s always been a dream of mine to play on it.

Q: Who is your favorite baseball player and why?

A: My favorite baseball player growing up was Shane Victorino because we had the same name and he was on the Phillies. Now my favorite player is Bryson Stott because we have very similar games and even though we play different positions defensively I admire his defense.

Q: What has been your favorite experience of your baseball career outside of Friends’ Central?

A: My Top Lumber 13U baseball team went to Diamond Nation, and stayed in a hotel with a basketball court in the middle of it. Playing in such a competitive tournament with my best friends I grew up with, and winning, was such a great experience. The team bonding, and hanging out with my best friends after the tournament, was almost just as fun as being on the field and winning. All of our families would meet in the hotel and we would grill and all hang out by the basketball courts. This was a great experience and every second of it was fun.

Q: What is your favorite academic subject at Friends’ Central?

A: My favorite subject at Friends’ Central is Health and Spanish. Health is my favorite because I love learning about the body and CPR. Spanish is also my favorite class because I love learning a new language and learning to communicate through it is so cool.

Q: What do you think you’d like to major in at college? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?

A: I think I would like to major in Business or something in the health field. This is because I love communicating with others and helping other people get better.

Fun facts – Shane McGarry

Favorite book: Lord of the Flies.

Favorite TV show:  Outer Banks.

Favorite movie: Sandlot.

Favorite athlete:  Bryson Stott.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song:  Party in the USA.

Favorite team: Phillies.

Favorite place to visit: New Jersey beaches.

Favorite pre-game meal: two peanut butter and jellies

Family: Father Jon McGarry, mother Shanna Reisch, stepfather Tommy Reisch, older brother Michael, younger brother Jack.

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)

To view a gallery of the previous Main Line Boys Athletes of the Week click here

Q: What was the key to your performance in the 200 meter run at the Central League Championships?

A: The key to my performance in the 200 at Centrals was to be aggressive out of the blocks. I wanted to have a good start so that as the race progressed I would be able to focus more on my form and running relaxed, as opposed to focusing on gaining the lead.

Q: What is your favorite memory of the Central League Championships?

A: My favorite memory was when my teammate (Scotty Coffi) got a PR in the 100 and I ran over to tell him that we both PR’ed. We were both very excited for each other, and so were our teammates.

Q: Do you think your background in gymnastics has helped you in the long jump, or in running?

A: I think that my background in gymnastics has definitely helped me with track. In gymnastics, like track, you compete as an individual, so it helped me deal with handling nerves and performing under pressure. Vault in gymnastics has some similarities to long jump, so having that background helped learn techniques faster.

Q: What aspect of your running are you working on most currently?

A: I am currently working most on my form towards the end of my races. My coaches and I have been focusing on making sure I maintain good form even when my body starts to fatigue, so that I finish my races strong.

Q: Tell us a little about your fondest memory of the Penn Relays.

A: My fondest memory at Penn Relays is running the 4×4. Since we run it in the Central League division, we are racing against familiar teams and it is very cool to have friendly competition with people you know, while racing at such a distinguished meet. Watching the Penn track team competing was also very exciting.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-race preparation on the day of a race.

A: My pre-race preparation is to stretch and stay relaxed. If I think too much about my races I usually don’t perform as well, so just staying loose and remembering what I practiced prepares me the most. I also wear my lucky pearl earrings to every meet.

Q: What was your favorite memory of the indoor track season last winter?

A: My favorite memory from the indoor season last winter was at states. The prior two years I did not perform how I wanted to, and missed the podium at this meet. This year I executed my races well and placed in two events. It was rewarding to finally perform how I wanted to at this meet.

Q: What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of running an indoor track, as compared to running an outdoor track?

A: The most challenging part about running on an indoor track is definitely the tighter curves. To deal with this I try to lean into the curve and allow the curve to help me.

Q: What is your favorite academic course at Harriton? What do you plan to major in at the University of Pennsylvania? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?

A: My favorite course at Harriton is human anatomy and physiology. I will be studying biology at Penn and hope to work in orthopedics or sports medicine in the future, so this course is very fun and interesting.

Fun facts – Milan Ramey

Favorite book: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi.

Favorite TV show: How to Get Away with Murder.

Favorite movie: Let It Shine.

Favorite athlete: Anna Hall.

Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Black Skinhead by Kanye.

Favorite pre-meet meal: Smoothies and bagels.

Family members:  parents Felicia and David, brother Nigel.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)

Q: Have you always been a goalie, or have you played other positions as well? What originally attracted you to the goalie position?

A: Growing up I played all over the field and I probably committed to the position in middle school. In township league I got thrown in goal and was pretty good at it so I thought I should stick with it. My dad played goalie in high school and one of my close friends growing up also played goalie.

Q: What aspect of your play are you currently working on the most at the present time?

A: I’m currently working on being more patient in net and talking more to my defense.

Q: Can you give us an example of how good communication between the goalie and the defense has helped the Haverford School lacrosse team this season?

A: Good communication is the most important part of a defense. Without talking to each other no one would know what was going on and everyone would be confused and it would be a lot harder to play good defense.

Q: Who have been your biggest lacrosse mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?

A: I think that Coach Dawson has been a big influence in my lacrosse game and also my life. He’s taught me so much and I’m very grateful. I’ve also been lucky enough to be from an area where lacrosse is so popular so I know so many other players and goalies that I can reach out to when I have questions about anything.

Q: What first sparked your interest in lacrosse?

A: I’ve grown up in a very lacrosse loving family. My mother played lacrosse at Conestoga and the University of Richmond, my dad played in high school and both of my brothers played lacrosse at Conestoga as well. My brother Brendan also played lacrosse for the University of Richmond.

Q: Were your two older brothers also lacrosse mentors for you?

A: Yes, my brothers were huge mentors. I would always play with them in my backyard, and I watched them play while I was growing up

Fun facts – Brody Murphy

Favorite book: Ready Player One.

Favorite TV show: Entourage.

Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting.

Favorite pre-game song: Brasilian Skies.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: Costa Rica.

Favorite subject at Haverford School: History.

Person I most admire, and why: “My dad. He is a very strong man and sets good examples for me and my brothers.”

Family members: parents Peter and Samantha, brothers Toby and Brendan, dog Bo.

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)

Main Line Media News: As a member of the school’s Community Service Club, what has been your favorite community project and why?

Nicholas Wu: My favorite project was when we did the Adopt A Family program. We picked a family during Christmas time and ordered presents for them. I was pleased to help a family in need, and doing such actions is why I joined the Community Service Club.

Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about the most interesting activities of the Rifle Club.

Nicholas Wu: Rifle Club is the most interesting club I’ve been able to be a part of, as it is something that I believe only a military school would be able to host. As in the name, the Rifle Club is about learning how to operate all types of firearms. I feel that, while it is not a necessary skill to learn, having knowledge about possibly deadly tools is a skill I am satisfied to have.

Main Line Media News: Who is your favorite military figure and why?

Nicholas Wu: My favorite military figure has to be General Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was one of the most defining generals of World War 2, being the supreme commander of the allied forces against Nazi Germany and later one of the most successful presidents of the United States. What I believe made him able to be supreme commander was his ability to keep the allies unified, instead of being multiple countries with their own goals and plans. He was able to settle down any disagreements and turn the bickering French, British, and United States forces to focusing on the enemy at hand.

Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about the activities of the school’s National Honor Society.

Nicholas Wu: In VFMA’s National Honor Society, most of the responsibilities include doing community service events every so often, helping the teacher keep the class you are in under control, being an academic role model for other students, and running the school store every morning, which helps fundraise money for any school activities or events.

Main Line Media News: What is your favorite course at Valley Forge Military Academy and why?

Nicholas Wu: Picking one course is hard, as I don’t believe there is a class that is below the others in relevance, but if I was forced to choose based on pure personal interest, I would have to pick history — it is a subject that I find continued interest in. The somewhat unorthodox lectures of my teacher CPT Rosato also contributes to my interest, as it is a fresh new way of learning that I haven’t experienced before.

Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about Mr. Mushnick and what you see as the key to playing his character.

Nicholas Wu: I’m generally very shy and introverted so being a part of a theatrical production was not something I had particularly planned on doing, but it was just something I felt would end up being a pretty fun experience. I don’t think I’m a good actor at all, but I believe that Mr Mushnik was a fitting role for me as I didn’t have to deviate far from my actual personality to portray the character.

Main Line Media News: What has been your favorite experience as a VFMA athlete?

Nicholas Wu: I’m not exactly athletic, but being a part of the soccer and swimming teams were very enjoyable to me. My favorite moment has to be when I was able to prevent the opposing team from scoring a couple of times, and getting the thanks of our goalkeeper.

Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book, and why?

Nicholas Wu: I mostly read some sort of fantasy novels, as I enjoy character dynamics and development as opposed to plot or messages. If I had to pick a book series I liked the most, it would have to be the Ciaphus Cain series written by Sandy Mitchell.

(To be selected as Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)

Q: What do you think was the biggest key(s) to your performance at the Friends’ Schools League tournament?

A: I think my biggest key to winning was my ability to hit greens in regulation. Although I didn’t see many puts go in that day, giving myself multiple chances at birdie helped me secure the win.

Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game?

A: I think the strongest part of my game is my scrambling and recovery shots. I usually hit driver whenever I can and don’t usually lay up, so sometimes I can put myself in sticky situations off the tee. But I think my ability to recover and hit abnormal shots to secure a par is my strongest part of the game.

Q: What do you think was your best match this spring for Shipley? What was working particularly well for you that day?

A: I think my best match this year was against Germantown friends at home at White Manor. I had a pretty boring scorecard with nine pars, but I minimized my mistakes and when I made mistakes I was able to recover with a couple good up and downs.

Q: What is your favorite hole at your home course, Llanerch Country Club, and why?

A: My favorite hole at Llanerch is No. 18. From the scorecard it looks like an easily driveable par 4, but with the iconic tree in the middle of the fairway and the toughest green on the course, it is easy to make bogey and mess up your round.

Q: What is your favorite golf course and why?

A: My favorite golf course I’ve played is Merion Golf Club. Usually I am not a fan of short courses with small greens and prefer bigger, open courses but Merion is different. I think it is one of the most special places in all of golf and holds so much history. I honestly could not name one bad hole on the course and I think it is one of the hardest courses in the world for being 6,500 yards from the back tees.

Q: Who is your favorite golfer and why? Is there a golfer whose game you try to pattern your game after?

A: My favorite golfer right now is Brooks Koepka. Although he went to LIV, I think his mindset about golf is something I try to pattern in my own game. Brooks is hard on himself, keeps track of who he lost to and does not forget about it, which I think is something I do as well. His goal is to have double digit wins in majors and thinks anything short of that is a failure, so he works hard to reach his goal whether others think it is unrealistic or not.

Q: What originally sparked your interest in golf? What golf mentors have been particularly influential to you, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

A: What sparked my interest in golf was my dad. Before I was born my dad played professionally on the Canadian tour so growing up I always saw him with a club in his hand. The best piece of advice he gave me about golf was to stay level headed on the course. I am usually one to let my emotions get the best of me which causes more mistakes on the golf course, so him teaching me to stay level has helped improve my game.

Q: What is your favorite club and why?

A: My favorite club is the putter, because you could hit a bad drive and a decent approach shot and still make birdie with a good putt, but you can’t do the same if you hit a good drive, good approach shot and miss a short putt.

Q: What is your favorite golf ball and why?

A: My favorite golf ball right now is a Titleist Pro V1 or a Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash. I think both those balls give me the distance I want plus the spin I need. I usually alternate the ball depending on the course I’m playing for the day.

Q: What has been your favorite golfing accomplishment outside of Shipley?

A: My favorite accomplishment outside of Shipley is winning the Pennsylvania Golf Association Father-Son Championship twice with my Dad, the first one being in 2021 at Omni Bedford Springs and the second last year at Toftrees Golf Resort. It is really special for me to win a tournament with my dad twice since he is the one who introduced me to the game in the first place. This year we hope to go back to back and keep the trophy where it belongs, in the Llanerch trophy case.

Q: What is your favorite academic subject at Shipley? What do you think you’d like to major in at Ole Miss? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?

A: My favorite subject at Shipley is Math. I like problem solving and finding solutions to all types of  equations. At Ole Miss I plan to major in Business, and one day hope to start a business and be my own boss.

Fun facts – Grayson Wingerter

Favorite book: The Great Gatsby.

Favorite author: F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds.

Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting.

Favorite athlete: Bryce Harper.

Favorite pre-match pump-up song: Dog Talk, by OT7 Quanny.

Favorite team: Phillies.

Favorite place to visit: Lake Placid, N.Y.

Favorite pre-match meal: Shake Shack.

Person I most admire, and why: “Zach Bryan because of what he has been through in his life and what he represents as a person.”

Family members: parents James and Jessica, sister Maggie.

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)

Q: What is your favorite memory of the win against Conestoga that wrapped up the Central League title?

A: My favorite memory of the game was saving the last shot.  It was a crease-roll from behind with 3:30 to go and I got to the opposite post just in time to make the save.  This allowed us to gain possession and hold the one goal lead for the remainder of the game.

Q: Can you give us an example of how good communication between the goalie and the defense has helped the Radnor girls’ lacrosse team this season?

A: Communication is the key for our defense to navigate where the ball is.  We are constantly calling out cutters and letting our teammates know where and when help is needed. Our defense is a really strong unit and I try to let them know what I am seeing to help them keep playing at a high level.  They always have my back and really make my job easy.

Q: What (in your opinion) has been the most memorable save you’ve made this season – can you describe how the play unfolded, and your role in it?

A: It was during the Garnet Valley game — there was a breakaway and the player was on top of the crease and shot off hip mid. I was able to rotate my stick quickly and make the underhand save.

Q: Have you always been a goalie, or have you played other positions as well? What originally attracted you to the goalie position?

A: I started playing in 1st grade with Scoops Lacrosse. I played in the field until 4th grade and then I switched to the goalie position. I wanted to take after my older sister, Abby, who switched to playing goalie in middle school.

Q: What aspect of your play are you currently working on the most at the present time?

A: I am always working on the mental aspect of the game. The goalie position is very unique and requires a high level of mental toughness. You need to have a short memory and forget the last shot. It’s all about looking ahead and focusing on the next play.

Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 5 for Radnor lacrosse. Is there a reason you chose that number?

A: My dad went to Radnor High School too and he always wore No. 5.  My older sister, Abby (Radnor class of 2021) also wore No. 5 so I wanted to keep the family tradition going.

Q: What first sparked your interest in lacrosse?

A: Having an older sister who loved lacrosse, is what first sparked my interest in the game. Over the years, we would spend time shooting on one another in the backyard, going to camps together, and strategizing about our playing style.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment as a lacrosse player outside of Radnor?

A: My most memorable moment as a lacrosse player outside of Radnor was playing in the New Balance All America tournament this past summer. I loved representing team Philly and making it to the championship.

Q: Who have been your biggest lacrosse mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?

A: I have been so fortunate to have been coached by so many incredible coaches in my lacrosse career. Kate Goldstein, with Foundation Lacrosse Goalie Training, was one of my first coaches back in 4th grade. She has been by my side all these years and she really taught me all the fundamentals of the game. It’s even more special now that she is part of the Radnor coaching staff this year. During my past three years at Radnor, Coach Zuern, Coach (Lisa) Murphy and Coach (Tommy) Hannum have always emphasized the importance of having fun while playing the game we love. Jess Lake, Coach (Lorraine) Beers, and Pete Hewitt, have been my Phantastix coaches for as long as I have played club lacrosse. They guided me through the recruiting process and were instrumental in helping me achieve my dream of playing at Penn State.

Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved in at Radnor other than lacrosse?

A: I have grown up ski racing on Elk Mountain’s racing team alongside one of the defenders on the Radnor lacrosse team, Grace Gordon. I also played golf for the Radnor team and I am the President of the Best Buddies Club.

Q: What is your favorite academic subject at Radnor? What do you think you’d like to major in at Penn State? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?

A: My favorite subject has always been math. I intend to major in Business at Penn State and I’m planning on spending the next year trying to decide what specific area of business I want to focus on. I want to learn more about statistics and accounting.

Fun facts – Arden Jansen

Favorite book: The Mind Gym.

Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy.

Favorite movie: Home Alone.

Favorite team: Penn State.

Favorite place to visit: Pinehurst, N.C.

Favorite pre-game meal: An Italian hoagie from John’s Village Market in Wayne.

Person I most admire, and why: “I really admire my sisters Abby and Avery.  They have been my strongest supporters on and off the field and both are very talented athletes.”

Family members: parents Jeff and Lori, older sister Abby, younger sister Avery.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)

Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about the poem “Lobster 5 Ways” and your inspiration for writing it.

Clarissa Leung: My English teacher, Mr. Tony Herman, asked us to write a poem inspired by “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” by Wallace Stevens. I wanted to use the framework of looking at lobsters from different perspectives to discuss two topics that are important to me: family and tradition. It took me many drafts to find exactly the right words and imagery for the message I wanted to convey. I am fortunate to have Mr. Herman and Father Tim Gavin, EA’s head chaplain, as mentors. They have both given me tremendous feedback and support, and with their help, I continue to try to grow as a poet.

Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about the Asian-American Student Union and some of its most interesting activities.

Clarissa Leung: The AASU offers Asian-American students a space to share their voices and culture. We started a literary magazine this year to give a wider forum for showcasing Asian-American stories and perspectives. We received some amazing submissions, and we plan to publish our first issue this fall. I am constantly impressed by how talented my classmates are, and I am glad we are providing another opportunity for them to share their talents with a broader community.

Main Line Media News: What is your favorite performance piece/song and why?

Clarissa Leung: My favorite piece to perform on the piano is Brahms’s Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No. 2. My piano teacher told me that Brahms was in love with Clara Schumann, who happened to be married to another man (composer Robert Schumann.) Clara was an accomplished pianist who debuted many of Brahms’s pieces. When I play this Intermezzo, which Brahms dedicated to Clara, I like to think about all the emotions he must have felt but could never say out loud. The piece is also technically complex yet allows for a lot of freedom of interpretation. My favorite song to sing is (coincidentally) “Blackbird” by The Beatles. The lyrics are poetic and powerful, and one of my favorite EA memories is getting to perform “Blackbird” at open-mic night with a friend on guitar.

Main Line Media News: You’ve won a number of academic awards at EA, and you mentioned the influence of many of the school’s teachers. Tell us a little about this.

Clarissa Leung: I’ve had many inspiring teachers at EA; I struggle academically as much as anyone, but I won these awards because I had teachers who were willing to answer emails at all hours, get up early to meet before school, and even buy me books that they thought might foster a passion. I’m amazed at how much some of my teachers genuinely care about their students.

Main Line Media News: What has been the most important thing you have learned as an after-school tutor?

Clarissa Leung: I was trying to help a 5th grader (not an EA student) with math when I realized that he didn’t know basic multiplication. He had no hope of understanding the harder stuff because he had never mastered the basics. It really hit home how COVID has affected an entire generation of kids, and it made me realize how fortunate I am to have gone to EA, where the school had the resources (physical and leadership) to minimize the COVID disruption. This experience made me want to do more, because I recognize how lucky I am. I also started volunteering with First Tee, a youth development program that uses golf lessons as a way to nurture growth in children. It’s so rewarding when I am able to connect with kids or help them make sense of something that confused them.

Main Line Media News: What is your favorite golf course and why? Who is your favorite golfer and why?

Clarissa Leung: I have a soft spot for Regents’ Glen Country Club in York, because it’s the first course on which I managed to break par in a tournament. I also love to play at White Manor, because the course is challenging without being gimmicky. Everything is in front of you. My favorite golfer is Rose Zhang. I admire her humility, work ethic, talent, and mental toughness.

Main Line Media News: When you won the Inter-Ac Girls Golf Tournament earlier this month with a nine-hole score of 32, what was working particularly well for you that day?

Clarissa Leung: I felt confident with my preparation up to the round. I committed to all of my shots. When some shots missed, my wedge game came through.  Finally, I had wonderful players and friends in my group (Carter Yearley from EA and Kiersten Bodge from Academy of Notre Dame), which made it even more fun.

Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book, and why? Who is your favorite author, and why?

Clarissa Leung: My favorite book right now is “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan. It’s gorgeously written, with a powerful message and compelling characters. My favorite YA novel is “The Theft of Sunlight” by Intisar Khanani. It’s a fun adventure story that’s impossible to put down. Neil Gaiman is probably my favorite author. He’s just a master storyteller.

(To be selected as Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)