By Cate Reynolds
Excelling as an athlete is difficult. Trying to do it in three sports is quite a challenge, but it hasn’t been a problem for Blair Goodrich. The junior at Kent Island High School keeps busy year-round playing soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Though Goodrich has only been playing for a little over six years, she has earned herself a spot on the Buccaneers’ varsity teams in all three sports.
Goodrich’s decision to take-on three different sports was largely influenced by her two others, both of whom excelled athletically in high school and now play lacrosse at the collegiate level.
“My whole family is really active so I guess it just runs in the family,” Goodrich says. “Playing sports is a hobby. I really love doing.”
The 16-year-old from Stevensville finished her 2017 soccer season with four assists, was named North Bayside Conference Honorable Mention All-Conference, and received her team’s MVP award for both soccer and lacrosse.
As team captain her sophomore year, Goodrich led the varsity basketball team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game. Last year, after an undefeated season, the Buccaneers made it to the Class 2A state semifinal. Goodrich considers it one of her favorite moments in her athletic career.
“Winning regionals last year was really cool,” Goodrich says. “We made it to the final four and had
the chance to play at SECU arena at Towson University.”
Goodrich’s achievements aren’t limited to the court and field, but she also thrives in the classroom. Goodrich has won five Minds In Motion awards, which is given by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association to student athletes who achieve a 3.25 grade point average or higher.
“I try to get all my school work done on the weekends and I always pay close attention in class,” Goodrich explains. “I also have time to get work done on my way to games and after practice.”
Goodrich says she loves every sport she plays, but lacrosse is her favorite because it comes most naturally to her. She devotes the majority of her free-time practicing lacrosse, playing year-round between her high school and club team.
The midfielder hopes to play at the collegiate level while pursuing a nursing degree. Goodrich is most interested in Jacksonville University and Towson University, where her other Zach currently plays.
“I really like the atmospheres [at Jacksonville and Towson],” Goodrich says. . “Everyone is really
nice and the campuses are so pretty.”
According to Daniel Harding, the athletic director at Kent Island, Goodrich’s positive attitude allows her to be successful both athletically and academically.
“Blair is a leader in the classroom and on the athletic front,” Harding says. “Her passion for competition and her unending drive makes her a great student athlete.”
For Goodrich, playing isn’t about the awards, the points scored, or even the possibility of a college scholarship. What keeps her on the field and the court is her love of the game and the friendships made along the way.
“I love sports and being active,” Goodrich says. “Being on a team is a great way to make friends and playing sports is my favorite thing to do.”
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