Recently, the Green Level women’s lacrosse team has undergone a significant array of changes, a transformation that could reshape the future of the program. The young, impressionable, and determined team shows promise for the future of Green Level women’s lacrosse. This promising outlook has arrived at a crucial point in Green Level’s athletic history.
Within early January, the face of Green Level lacrosse transformed, allowing the team an opportunity to redefine itself both on and off the field. Anna Jarnagin, a new addition to the coaching staff, will be coaching the Varsity Women’s lacrosse team this spring, with coach Grace Strickland serving as the assistant coach. This partnership will aid in bringing an abundance of knowledge and enthusiasm to this group of young athletes.
Both coaches belong to Green Level High School’s dedicated academic staff, as they specialize in the subjects of science and social studies. Their leadership extends beyond the classroom. Both Jarnagin and Strickland are entirely committed to building a lacrosse program that is rooted in discipline, hard work, and drive. Their coaching style will not just focus on enhancing individual skills, but alike it will emphasize the creation of a cohesive team dynamic.
“We have a lot of beginners on the lacrosse team this year…for Varsity, we have a lot of new players on the team as well, and I think it’s really important that we are able to work cohesively and pull out some wins, all while establishing a strong team culture.” Jarnagin voices.
The team will kickstart their season next week, with their first game being out of conference against Willow Spring. A quick turnaround will take place as they will face Millbrook in yet another highly anticipated out-of-conference matchup, the very next day. That Friday, March 7th, the team will complete their final game of the week in an exhaustive three-game week.
This will test the team’s resilience and ability to come together in the early weeks of the season, as their roster was finalized just this Monday. With a mixture of experienced players and fresh talent, the upcoming games will set the tone for the season ahead. This team aims to make a lasting impact with standout players in key positions like attack and defense, as well as fresh talent eager to prove themselves. They have the opportunity to develop their strengths and skill-sets early.
Jarnagin, with a detailed background in lacrosse, is hopeful for the upcoming season. As she grew up playing lacrosse, she found it to be innate to play club lacrosse during her time at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before taking on the role of coaching the Green Level women’s lacrosse team, she previously coached the Carrboro women’s program. There, she honed her skills and fostered a strong team culture. She desires to bring that same energy and focus to Green Level.
When asked about preparing her team for the hectic three-game week, she states, “We’ve been practicing all week. On Monday, we began talking about some strategies for both preparing as a team to get ready for the game but also emphasizing the importance of rest and recovery in between the games.” Jarnagin harps on the delicate balance between competition and recovery, acknowledging the exhaustive week that waits for this group of young women.
The future is bright for these athletes. Having a coach who is so dedicated and earnest for the upcoming season will be instrumental in the team’s success. Jarnagin concluded, “I am most optimistic about forming a really strong team. I know it’s kind of a weird year for us to lose so many of our returning varsity players. It’s gonna be exciting to see the chemistry that’s able to form on and off the field.” Her driving goals stem from beyond the physical toll of lacrosse. Eager to build relationships off the field, she stresses the potency of bonds to fuel an impactful program.
