BALTIMORE, Md. — Virginia Oursler credits her family and what she calls the 'Baltimore culture' for helping facilitate her affinity for lacrosse.
“It was my first sport I started playing,” she said. “So, I've just always loved it the most, had the most fun playing it.”
And the most fun succeeding in it.
The Bryn Mawr senior isn't only captain for the Mawrtian lacrosse team, she's also a captain for the soccer and basketball teams.
She said leadership runs in her family. Her brothers taught her.
“I kind of learned from them – how to be a leader, how to motivate people, how to just get everyone to come together and perform.”
She's a leader on the field.
“Before games, and stuff like that, I just have to take a moment to myself and just close my eyes, relax and just say, 'I can do this.'”
“You definitely notice when Virginia is on the field, which is awesome,” said Bryn Mawr lacrosse coach Brooke Shriver. “She just elevates the level of play when she's in there – going after ground balls, hustling, doing all those little things.”
She's also a leader off of the playing surface. She helped organize a charity event for the One Love Foundation. It raised more than $1,000 to help educate young people about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
“We did a One Love play day,” said Oursler. “All around really cool experience. Everyone took the pledge to love better.”
She hopes her lacrosse skills continue to get better next season when she's playing in college. She's been committed to Duke since she was a sophomore.
“I love the coach. I love the campus. I think it's a great fit. I definitely really value my education, and I'm excited for the next level.”
So are we.
Congratulations Virginia Oursler. You're this week's M&T Bank Student Athlete of the Week.
To nominate a student athlete to be the next M&T Bank Student Athlete of the Week click here.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
