Collegiate sports have a great meaning to the athletes of The University of Scranton. Division III sports show dedication and commitment all around. The athletes I’ve come to know show great love and passion for the game they play. It takes a courageous person to choose division III, and there isn’t much recognition for it. Soccer, Swimming and Field Hockey are a few sports at our school that exemplify these attributes of what it means to belong to a division III school. I got to speak with three Lady Royals who love their sport, teammates and Division III.
Name: Christina Akalski
Major: Strategic Communication
Hometown: Long Beach, NY
Sport: Soccer
HC: What position do you play?
CA: I’m an attacking midfielder.
HC: Why Division III?
CA: Playing D3 soccer has shaped me for the rest of my life. I was able to excel in both in the sport that I love to play as well as my academics by playing D3. I have met girls that have become teammates and best friends because of this sport at Scranton. I wouldn’t have wanted me college athletic experience to be any different.
HC: That’s great! Lastly, what is your greatest memory with the team?
CA: Winning the conference championship on Fitzpatrick field my senior year. It’s a memory I will never forget.
Name: Kelly Lappin
Major: Strategic Communication
Hometown: Brookfield, CT
Sport: Swimming
Kelly Lappin far left, Raquel Wasserman in the middle, Rebecca Wagner far right
HC: What events do you swim?
KL: 500 and 1,000 freestyle events
HC: Why Division III?
KL: Divison III allows me to experience swimming on a team but not too much commitment that will interfere with my school work.
HC: What was your favorite memory with the team?
KL: My favorite memory was getting second place in the landmark conference. It was such an amazing accomplishment as a team. We were able to see all of our hard work paying off. I loved seeing everyone’s faces when they announced the win. It makes practicing every day worth it.
HC: Amazing! Lastly, what does it mean to be a Lady Royal?
KL: It’s a privilege to call myself a lady royal. All of Scranton’s sports work so hard. The females athletes at Scranton come together as one and cheer for each other no matter what the sport it.
Name: Katherine Mcveagh
Major: Strategic Communications
Hometown: Flourtown, PA
Sport: Field Hockey
HC: What’s position do you play?
KM: I play midfield
HC: Why Division III?
KM: I chose to play on a division III sport because I wanted to have the ability to focus on academics while balancing a competitive college sport. As D3 athletes, we don’t get athletic scholarships so we truly play for the love of the game.
HC: What’s is your favorite memory on the Field Hockey team?
KM: My favorite team memory came in the first ever collegiate field hockey game. It was our home opener against Muglenberg and it was a night game under the lights. We went into overtime and then a second overtime period, and finally won after about 95 minutes of a grueling game. It sparked a 9-game win streak to start the season, a school record. It was such a cool experience to be a part of a team working so hard right from the first game, throughout the rest of the season, in my very first college season.
The athletes of The University of Scranton show, hands down, a true love of the game they play. It shows a lot about a person who chooses a division III sport, especially at The University of Scranton.