Not everyone can say that they’re a committed D1 athlete to a top-15 ranked school for their sport. However, junior Megan Rocklein can. Not only is she an incredible lacrosse player, but she’s a leader for the team.
After having been recruited into the University of Virginia Division 1 lacrosse program this past week, things have been moving full speed ahead for Rocklein. She’s been playing lacrosse for 10 years along with basketball, but she has known that lacrosse was the sport for her since 6th grade.
“When I was in middle school, I started to watch more college lacrosse and go to some of the Northwestern games. When I would go to those games, I would picture myself on the field and dream about playing at that level,” Rocklein said, “Virginia has always been one of my dream schools, and its lacrosse program is extremely historic.”
Getting in contact with college coaches meant having to send many emails of her schedule, highlight reels, and attend numerous prospect camps or showcases. Being at her best in front of these D1 coaches means practicing almost every day, watching game film, and looking at college players’ skills to see how she can implement them into her game.
Rocklein plays the midfield position. In lacrosse, the midfielders are the team’s primary ball carriers, and they control the pace of the game. The head coach of the Varsity Girls Lacrosse Team, Coach Cat Catanzaro, says that Rocklein’s athleticism is “unparalleled.”
“Megan as an athlete is a freak of nature. She is hands down the single most athletic person I know, and her stick skills are really amazing, so you can tell that she’s put in the time to do the work there,” said Catanzaro.
Her teammates would agree that Rocklein is a natural leader, and she was awarded the captain position on the team halfway through her sophomore season. Catanzaro said that it was “not an adjustment at all” because she was “always viewed as a captain even without the distinction.”
“Megan is always super encouraging. She is different from other leaders because she’s there when you need her, and she’ll give you a more positive insight to motivate you rather than bring you down,” said junior Cate Lee,“There’s definitely a difference in maturity from our freshman year to now, and she has really become a strong leader on the team.”
Her coaches and teammates may have incredible things to say about Rocklein, but her record speaks for itself. In the 2023 high school season, she finished with 85 goals and 62 assists, which put her second in the state for the most points.
Not only is she such a hard worker on the field, but her persistence is shown in her academics as well. She’s in four AP classes this school year.
Rocklein’s true love and dedication to the sport of lacrosse has meant having to give up things like her free time over the summer. Rocklein not only plays for the high school team, but also for Team One Lacrosse Club. Her club team requires constant practice and traveling for tournaments during the high school off-season, which was a staple in making Rocklein’s dreams come true.
“This past summer I spent at least 30 nights in hotels as I traveled around the country going to tournaments and camps. So there are things that I have had to give up in order to achieve my dream of playing in college,” said Rocklein.
Along with a very lacrosse heavy summer schedule, the rigor of the sport continues throughout the school year as she touches on her feelings of “the pressure of performing” and giving it her all every time she walks on the field. Although this is tough to do, Rocklein handles herself with collective thoughts and looks to her teammates and coaches for support.
Catanzaro is continually impressed by Rocklein, and can’t wait to see her continue to do great things in her college career.
“As a person, she’s extremely nice, which you usually don’t see in elite athletes. Megan is phenomenal about keeping her edge on the field and not having it transfer over into her personal life,” said Catanzaro.
Rocklein is excited to continue her lacrosse career at UVA, playing at the highest level.
