From Stanford to Colgate, Division I women’s lacrosse coaches from all across the nation sought Cate Camenzind, sophomore, to play for their schools. Only in the nation’s capital did Camenzind find her match at Georgetown University.

Camenzind’s recruiting process began the summer after her eighth grade year, but she did not begin receiving offers until the summer following her freshman year, the same summer she made a verbal commitment to Georgetown. Camenzind had the mindset to get the best education she could from playing lacrosse.

“I think it’s weird I already know where I’m going to college,” Camenzind said. “Especially to a great school like Georgetown.”

Camenzind said possible new NCAA regulations would prevent talk with college coaches until Sept. 1 of a player’s junior year in high school. According to Camenzind, if passed, she would be restricted from communicating with her Georgetown coaches. Camenzind said she found it peculiar to be deciding the location and size of a desired college at the age of 15.  

“You have to act like an adult in the entire process” Camenzind said. “That’s why it’s so weird for the process to be happening with eighth-graders, freshmen and even sophomores.”

Joshua Jaworowski, college counselor, works with athletes to transfer required paperwork and transcripts to their respective schools. Athletes must follow the same academics application process as non-athletes to universities, Jaworowski said.

“I don’t think early high school recruitment is a bad thing,” Jaworowski said. “There needs to be a mature student is able to handle the process.”

Patty Dreyer, varsity girls’ lacrosse coach, remembers coaching Camenzind in her initial few years of lacrosse. According to Dreyer, she could foresee Camenzind being successful  athletically, even at a young age, shining from her positive attitude and work ethic. This spring season will be Camenzind’s first with the KHS team, as she attended John Burroughs for her freshman season.

“Bringing a great player into the program is incredible,” Dreyer said. “It will hopefully ignite something within our already very talented players to become even better.”

Camenzind’s club team, Eagle Stix, is based in Atlanta. Her club coach helped get her name out to college coaches. Camenzind said her Georgetown head coach Ricky Fried recommended playing on the East Coast for better competition and continued development.

“You just have to keep practicing and working hard, it doesn’t happen overnight,” Camenzind said. “Being from Missouri, you have to work even harder.”