The girls’ lacrosse team has a new coach and is ready to suit up for a season of possibilities
The co-op team, made up of athletes from Minnehaha Academy, DeLaSalle High School and Gentry Academy, has an exciting new addition to the group. Speaker, writer, and former NCAA Division II coach Kate Leavell will be taking over the position as head coach.
The previous head coach, Hannah Lundstrom, decided to end her time coaching the team due to a busy life schedule, according to Minnehaha Athletic Director Josh Thurow. But only after she took the team to state for the first time in Minnehaha Academy history.
The girls are already building off of a season of success. Now adding to the pile of promising factors, with a more than qualified coach.
Leavell began playing the sport when she was very young. Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, she was surrounded by lacrosse opportunities and a family of lacrosse players. She played club lacrosse at the University of Maryland and went on to write two lacrosse books. She has coached all levels of athletes, from youth to NCAA Division II at Adams State University. Leavell is also a national coaches education trainer for US Lacrosse.
Leavell has worked with a co-op before, when she coached a team combining Lakeville North and South high schools, which ended with an appearance at state her first season as head coach.
“[A co-op team] can have challenges, but I am very focused on building culture and a positive experience, so I’m confident we can come together to use this co-op as a tactical advantage over other teams,” said Leavell. “We are combining the strengths of several schools and backgrounds which, if brought together, can be a great edge.”
Many people are looking forward to the season, both on the field and in the stands.
“The girls seem to enjoy each other and like each other, and I love seeing those stories where girls from different schools come together and have a positive experience,” said Thurow. “I think it will happen again this year. So, I’m looking forward to watching them play.”