Senior Lulu Keil recently signed with Denison University to further her field hockey career. As an established athlete at LFHS, Keil is no stranger to the hard work and dedication required as she takes her talent to the collegiate level.
Although she is also a core member of the Varsity Basketball and Lacrosse teams, Keil’s unwavering love for field hockey has not only fueled her growth as a player, but has also made her more willing to embrace these future opportunities.
Her journey through the recruitment process looked “different than most,” as her realization of wanting to continue to progress her athletic journey occurred much later than most aspiring collegiate athletes.
“I only really knew that I wanted to play in college during the last month of my senior season. As it was all coming to an end, I realized I couldn’t live my life without field hockey,” Keil said.
With this newfound realization, she decided to act on her impulses and reached out to three different schools in hopes of a response. Luckily for Keil, Denison—a school that successfully integrates sports and schooling—was the first university to reply and express interest in having her visit.
“I chose Dension because of the great athletics and academic opportunities. When I met the coach, she welcomed me, and I could tell the Denison field hockey program was meant for me,” Keil said.
Keil is a natural leader. She has an innate ability to encourage others to put their best foot forward—something that cannot be taught. This made her transition into the role as a captain seamless. Her skills on the field, her competitive drive, and her personable characteristics made it easy for others to see her as a role model.
Keli’s leadership qualities, combined with her dedication and resilience, have shaped her into the athlete she is today. These same traits have also prepared her to take on whatever challenges the next four years may bring.
“Field hockey has taught me to never give up. Every year, we have done a running test, and I used to struggle with it because of my mindset,” Keil said. “But I’ve grown and have since learned that it’s always all in your head. If you keep telling yourself not to give up, you will succeed.”
Although Keil has experienced times of struggle, her ability to persevere energizes those around her, and her actions, both on and off the field, exemplify what it means to be a leader.
“Lulu brings an intensity and determination that, when combined with her raw athletic talent, is hard to stop and is inspirational to her teammates,” Head Varsity Lacrosse Coach Cat Canazaro said.
This no doubt gives her the much needed competitive edge to excel through the next steps of her athletic journey. The strength and knowledge that she has gained at LFHS will serve as her backbone as she continues to gain insight from future teammates, coaches, and peers, further stimulating her growth.
Keil has built an unaltered reputation at LFHS, and it is no question that she will continue to always put her best foot forward at Dension in the fall.
“I know she will be an incredible player, teammate, and leader at Denison, and I can’t wait to watch her succeed,” Co-Captain Maeve Farrell said.
