My name is Karly Keating, I am currently a sophomore at Benet Academy in Lisle, IL. I am a midfielder and attack on the True IL 2021 State team. I started playing lacrosse around a year and a half ago and have ever since loved it. Although I was not the best at first I knew with practice and time that I would get better. Many times I was told that I was “wasting my talent for running” as I was a talented runner. People tried to set boundaries on what I could do as a player but thankfully I worked extremely hard alone and with my teammates and coaches to get better- as some days I would practice five or six hours working especially on my stick skills. I truly love the sport and have so much passion for it and am always looking to improve. Along with lacrosse I also do XC and have been on varsity for the past two years and was fortunate enough to be able to place 12th in state this year and 11th in state last year. I also played basketball for most of my life which made the defensive part of lacrosse easy to pick up as I loved being aggressive in basketball. This high school lacrosse season I came in not really knowing what to expect, I was very excited and loved my teammates. At first I had a hard time adjusting to the team and trying to find the strengths and weaknesses of my teammates. This season I learned lacrosse is a lot more than just scoring goals; I learned a lot whether it was mastering draw controls and ground balls or having great assists to find the open person, but the most important thing I realized this season was that at the end of my lacrosse career whether it be in 2 years or 6 years I am not going to remember the great goals or great plays I had instead I am going to remember the long-lasting relationships I made with my teammates and coaches which really made me just appreciate the sport even more and leave it all on the field. Overall I am so thankful for how far I’ve come in the sport but will not stop working or become complacent about getting better. Regarding school, I currently have a 3.6 GPA and was just inducted into NHS. I have not taken the ACT yet but the average at Benet is a 29.4 and I will be working hard with my tutor over the summer to get a good score in the fall.

As an athlete I am very aggressive, I will always give 110% and do the task to the best of my abilities. I am also very fast, as I have been running XC and track most of my life and have always loved it. Since I played basketball all my life, I am aware of what’s going on and can play aggressive defense. More importantly, as a person I am hardworking and determined, as everyday I strive to be the best I possibly can in everything I do. I also really enjoy volunteering at organizations such as; Transplant Village, Grace Cafe, FMSC, PADS, and most especially an organization called Access Sports, where you play sports such as baseball with kids that have disabilities. Although the kids are somewhat restricted, they have the best hearts and are so determined. I honestly love working with them in sports and getting to know them. Lastly, a few clubs I am a part of at Benet include; campus ministry, Law club, Marians, Spanish club, Mock Trial, Student Government, and NHS. I am along with that the leader of the SALT athletes board which is the campus ministry office that represents all of the athletes and Benet and their prayer.

As an athlete and student at a highly competitive school I am thankful for what I have accomplished and work hard everyday to achieve success as I grow not only as an athlete but also as a person. At the college I attend I will be sure to give my absolute best in the sport I play or club I am in, but most importantly as a person and a student academically. For more information, please email me at karlykeating2021@gmail.com.