Megan Ross and Katherine St. Amand started their varsity field hockey journeys as talented freshmen and have grown tremendously since then. They have evolved into not only skilled players but tremendously talented teammates who share their deep knowledge of the game to help their team improve. Ross first started playing field hockey in first grade at NVA, and quickly fell in love with the sport. Her journey was inspired by her mom, who played in college. St. Amand’s passion was sparked by her older sister Tara, a state champion at Lake Forest High School, and she started playing in first grade through Windy City Field Hockey Club, joining the travel team as a U10.
On the field, Ross’s versatility shines through. Her position shifted this year to better utilize her exceptional passing and defensive skills, which were especially evident during a trip to St. Louis, where she was “a catalyst for the team’s success by supporting the defense and initiating plays,” Coach Cat says. St. Amand’s impact was never more apparent than in a game against GBN, where she scored multiple goals while guarded by one of the top players in the state. Together, they complement each other perfectly without competition for “top dog,” both focused on lifting their teammates to bring the State Championship back to Lake Forest, the coach explains.
Both athletes value leadership and team culture highly. Ross says that, having played the game from all sides, she strives to be a supportive teammate on and off the field. Senior teammate Caitlin O’Shea says, “Megan is so passionate, and it shows through her effort on and off the field. Whether it’s uplifting her teammates after they make mistakes or checking in on people so they are the best version of themselves come game time.”
St. Amand highlights the motivating presence of their seniors, saying, “The team pushes each other constantly, and the seniors have our backs through each moment on and off the field.” Their teammate, senior Cece Gordon, adds, “On the field, Kat and Megan are both huge leaders. They’re always pointing and helping people know where to go, and I can tell they truly want to help, never negatively saying things. Off the field, they’re both people I consider close friends with strong personalities who pride themselves on kindness.”
The recruitment journey was a significant challenge for both, but with strong family and coach support, they navigated it successfully. Ross began emailing coaches in seventh grade. She concentrated on recruitment and athletics during the summer, with her mom by her side, helping with emails. St. Amand describes the recruiting process as “unique for every athlete and focused on finding the best academic and athletic fit, taking visits to weigh different factors, and maintaining a positive mindset knowing every athlete finds their place in their own time.” Ross shares advice she told herself during tough moments: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” She notes that each recruiting timeline is different, and frustration can come when friends commit sooner, but everyone’s path is unique.
When choosing their next steps, Ross was drawn to Quinnipiac’s top-notch OT and PT school and the welcoming, homey campus atmosphere surrounded by Sleeping Giant National Park. She immediately felt the field hockey team was a place where she could thrive due to the genuine friendliness of the players. St. Amand chose Stanford because of the strong combination of academics and a long tradition of competitive field hockey. The culture created by coaches and players stood out, and she looks forward to studying Economics there.
Looking ahead, Ross plans to contribute to Quinnipiac both on and off the field by demonstrating the qualities of a great teammate. St Amand aims to feed her teammates in the goal area and help lead a winning season while growing as a leader in the attacking end. Both have goals to embrace leadership roles in college and enjoy their remaining years of competitive play. According to Coach Catanzaro, “Quinnipiac and Stanford are gaining multidimensional players who can succeed at any position and provide true utility to their programs.” Beyond their athletic contributions, Megan and Katherine are role models helping to grow the future of Lake Forest Field Hockey by “leading, teaching, and guiding their teammates and future players.”
Megan Ross and Katherine St. Amand have already left an incredible footprint on Lake Forest High School’s Field Hockey team, and there’s no doubt they will continue to do so in the rest of their high school years and into their collegiate careers as well. They will continue to be great role models and inspirations for younger players and their teammates, as well.
