Athlete of the Edition: Heidi Cross

Captain of the girl’s lacrosse team, Heidi Cross ‘22, verbally committed to Stetson University last April. Cross has been playing lacrosse since fourth grade, which is when she decided to transition from softball to lacrosse because she desired a more fast paced and adrenaline-packed sport. During this time, Cross was supported by her three aunts who also played lacrosse, so she was inspired to put her heart and soul into a new game. In a recent interview, Cross noted that she has her Dad to thank for her success. He countlessly joined Cross outside with a baseball glove in hand in order to throw her lacrosse balls in various weather conditions; he always encouraged Cross to put in the extra time to help her improve her skills.

While reflecting on her GA lacrosse career, Cross described a few of her most memorable games: beating Penn Charter and Episcopal in intense battles where they were not favored to win, and scoring four goals in the first two games of her senior season. Her leadership was displayed in games like these, as she eagerly stepped up and put in her best effort to ultimately lead her team to victory. Cross learned some of these skills from older teammates: “their energy, work effort, and drive to succeed inspired me to improve as well.” Cross approached her senior year season exhibiting these similar qualities and now works to help younger athletes achieve their goals too. She not only wants the team “to perform well” but she believes developing “connections with one another” is equally as important to forming a successful team. This past spring at sports awards night, Cross won the Enthusiasm and Work Ethic award for putting the most time and energy into girls lacrosse at GA.

As well as playing for GA, Heidi took part on a club team known as Ultimate Lacrosse up until her senior season. On this premier, year-round lacrosse team, she had the opportunity to travel to tournaments across the country. In addition to tournaments on the weekend, her training included three practices per week. Ultimate’s fall season consisted of practices in the beginning of the fall with tournaments beginning toward the end of fall and training in the winter.

While looking forward to her lacrosse career at Stetson University, Cross is most excited to have “new teammates who strive to work hard and are eager to play.” She is also thrilled to play under an accomplished coach, a Northeastern lacrosse alum. She feels that she will have the opportunity to learn from her coach’s experiences and could not be happier to indulge in this amazing opportunity in the warm Florida weather.