Wanted — One Lacrosse Coach for the Walkersville Girls Lacrosse Team
WHS Lions Pride Original Story:
by Lauren Duffy for Walkersville High School Lion’s Pride
The past couple years the Walkersville girls lacrosse team has been growing and amazing other schools around the county. Due to the loss of varsity coach Ashley White, and junior varsity coach, Julia McLellan, the team is left curious as to whom their new coach will be.
Coach Ashley White has been with the program for three years and helped Walkersville become the team they are now. This past spring White announced to the players and parents that she will not be returning to coach in spring of 2017.
“I am deeply saddened to not be returning to Walkersville this season. During the last three years, our athletes worked hard to build a successful, respected girls lacrosse program. Our players were committed to bettering themselves not only during the spring season but all year long. It was an honor and a privilege to get to know each and every one of my athletes”, said White.
White continued to mention, “ [Michael ] Mummert (Athletic Director at WHS) and I worked to try and ensure a smooth transition to another qualified coach. We believed we had found a good fit but, unfortunately, it did not end up working out. Knowing that there is still not a coach is upsetting. It is my sincerest hope that the athletes that have worked so hard the past few seasons fall into good hands. But, regardless of what happens, I know these athletes will continue to approach the season with the same focus, commitment, and determination that they’ve shown me every day for the past three years.”
“When I heard Coach Ashley left I was upset but hopeful that we would get a new one” said junior Paige Shortt. Shortt made varsity as a freshman and was just getting used to how things were being run in the Walkersville lacrosse program. Shortt later mentioned, “Once the new coach left along with Coach Juls, I was worried about who the coach would be. I think we have some good people lined up that could step in for the year. I would love to play for Walkersville but if we don’t find a coach I don’t think going to a different school would be that bad. I just hope we find a coach soon!”
Senior Morgan Jernigan has been on varsity for three years and worked with Coach White for her whole high school lacrosse career. Jernigan stated, “Hearing about coach Ashley leaving was very saddening. After being coached by her for the past three years it’s definitely not something I wanted to happen but is understandable considering her situation. Having a new coach is gonna be hard but we will get through it.”
The players of the Walkersville girls lacrosse program are hoping for a good and experienced coach to come around and coach them this coming fall; knowing they don’t currently have a coach has the players and parents all on the edge of their seats.
