Three From James Clemens To Play College Lacrosse
MADISON- The James Clemens club lacrosse team, which is currently in the post-season playoffs with a team history leading 7-5 record, had three of its senior members sign letters of intent for college and to play lacrosse at the next level in a ceremony held at the Madison campus.
Emma Gould signed with UAH while both Kendal Vick and Lexie Mitchell signed with Birmingham-Southern.
Gould, a team co-captain, moved from defense to attack during the latest season where she scored 15 goals while causing 14 turnovers on defense and 24 draw controls in transition. She participated in the 2017 Alabama All-State Showcase and has led by example on and off the playing field working year-round to become a more affective player.
“I tried playing lacrosse in the seventh grade and loved it, plus I love the community aspect of the team,” said Gould, nicknamed the ‘Lumberjack’ and who will study nursing at UAH. “Lacrosse is something anyone can pick up and learn.”
Gould is also an artist concentrating on acrylic painting and portraits. She will carry a 4.5 grade point average (GPA) into college.
Fellow co-captain Vick, who goes by the nickname ‘Poodle,’ scored 12 goals with four assists while posting 75-percent shooting accuracy on goal. She was the squad’s comeback story after she tore her ACL last season and fought back and responded in spectacular fashion. She was regarded as having a selfless attitude always putting her teammates first and putting the team effort ahead of any personal agenda.
“My father asked me to try lacrosse when I was eight years old and I fell in love with it,” said Vick, who carries a 2.5 GPA and plans on studying art and education at Birmingham-Southern. “By the time I played in middle school I figured out I was pretty good at the sport and kept working at getting better. I’m 100-percent healthy from my knee surgery last year.”
Vick plays attack and center positions and loves to oil paint as a hobby and has completed paintings for friends.
Having just three seasons of competitive experience in lacrosse, Mitchell learned much about the sport honing her stick skills and off-hand talents becoming a huge contributor to the Jets’ program. Her passion for the game is almost unmatched, especially stemming from the fact she has only played for three years.
“I’m a quick learner, played a lot of summer league action and practice a lot,” said Mitchell, who will enter the pre-med program in college while carrying a 2.9 GPA. “When I first took up lacrosse, it clicked. I watch highlights of college games on television and have learn a lot from that for my techniques. I try and explain to people who ask me about lacrosse, that it is a sport that combines field hockey and soccer.”
