Ryleigh Warner, Ephrata High School, senior, midfielder
Q: What’s your origin story with lacrosse?
Warner: “I’ve been playing since third grade. It’s been awhile. I think my mom was like, ‘You want to play lacrosse?’ I tried it. I do that in the spring and I play field hockey in the fall. I have been playing ever since. When I was in fifth grade I met an eighth grader, Grace Willets, who really inspired me to continue playing lacrosse.”
Q: What are some team strengths?
Warner: “We have a lot of strong attackers. We’re heavy on attack. Midfield and our goalie is very good. We’ll be good in the cage. Our goalie had 17 saves the other day.”
Q: You’re going to take on most of the workload at faceoff. What have you been working on in that area to improve on?
Warner: “We did get two new coaches. We’re starting brand new. We’ve been working on communication throughout the draw circle. And having people knowing where the ball is going to go is helping us.”
Q: What’s a key game you are anticipating?
Warner: “Maybe Cocalico. I feel like everyone wants to watch that game. But I’m close with the Cocalico coach and players just because we interact a lot on the club lacrosse circuit.”
Q: Are you involved in other extracurriculars?
Warner: “I’m in eight other clubs. Multiple honor societies. Aevidum.”
Q: Two sports and multiple extracurricular activities. How do you juggle it all?
Warner: “Right now I’m only taking three classes. So it’s a lot easier right now to juggle everything. It actually helps me. I like being busy. It keeps me motivated?
Q: Any plans after high school?
Warner: “I’m going to play at (NCAA Division II) West Chester University and I’m going to study biochemistry. I want to be a doctor.”
Q: Time for some fun questions. If you were in charge of the lunch menu at school for a day, what would you do?
Warner: “I really like pancakes. I’d love to have chocolate chip pancakes.”
Q: If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
Warner: “A dolphin. I really like the ocean. I’d want to see the coral.”
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or motto that motivates you?
Warner: “This year we’re going with ‘No Limits.’ I feel like everyone looks down at Ephrata lacrosse, especially being up in Section One. We get a bad reputation. No limits is a testament is just about it’s not just where we go to school. It’s a good testament to being better than whatever anyone thinks of Ephrata.”
