Two Seahawks Headed to D-I Schools

Two Seahawks Headed to D-I Schools
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BERLIN- Two standout Stephen Decatur women’s lacrosse players took major steps in advancing their athletic and academic careers this week, each signing national letters of intent to attend and play lacrosse at Division I schools next year.

Seahawk seniors Erin McGuire and Olivia Turner, both integral parts of Decatur’s amazing run of success in recent years, this week signed letters of intent to play lacrosse next year. McGuire is headed to Davidson College in North Carolina, while Turner is headed for Towson University, following the footsteps of another former Seahawk, Ali Lathroum, who is now playing at the Baltimore school.

The dynamic duo officially signed their letters of intent at the special signing ceremony at Decatur on Tuesday afternoon in front of their parents, coaches, teachers and teammates among others. Similar signing ceremonies have become regular events at the Berlin school, which has produced more than its share of outstanding scholar-athletes in recent years.

“It’s always a great honor for me to celebrate an athletic or academic achievement for one of our students, and in the case of these two fine young ladies, we get to celebrate both,” said Decatur Principal Lou Taylor.

McGuire is heading to Davidson, a liberal arts school in North Carolina with an enrollment of around 1,700 students. A second-team All Bayside Conference selection last year, McGuire is a midfielder known as much for her scoring ability as her propensity for getting the ball from the Seahawks’ defensive end of the field to the offensive end. In addition to her prowess on the lacrosse field, McGuire is an excellent student and is a member of the National Honor Society, the Math Honor Society, the Connections program and is involved in student government.

“Erin is a leader both on and off the field,” said assistant coach Jen Pettolina. “She has terrific determination and works hard on the field and in the classroom.”

Turner, meanwhile, is headed to Towson University, a traditional women’s college lacrosse powerhouse in the Baltimore suburbs. Turner, who Coach Bob Musitano called one of the most graceful lacrosse players he has seen or coached, is known for her ability to finish plays for the Seahawks on the offensive end of the field. She led the Bayside Conference last year in scoring and was named first-team All-Conference. She was also a high school All-American last year.

Like McGuire, Turner is also an excellent student and a member of the National Honor Society, Decatur’s Honor Roll, and the Connections program.

“Olivia has always been extremely coachable and her stick skills are phenomenal,” said Pettolina. “She puts her heart and soul into her lacrosse and everything she else she does.”