On Tuesday, October 28, 2014, Central Bucks East seniors Alana Rivas, Maggie Stella and Betty Wesney were recognized at a special news conference for committing to play lacrosse at the collegiate level. To view photos of the signing, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Alana Rivas – Kutztown University (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Kutztown, Slippery Rock, Shippensburg
Reasons for choosing Kutztown: “I was actually on my way to Slippery Rock when I got an e-mail from Shippensburg saying I was their number two and their number one just verbally committed, so Shippensburg was off my list. It was pretty much down to Slippery Rock and Kutztown.
“I made my official visit to the (Kutztown) campus, took a tour, and just getting in the car on the way home, I just knew then – I loved Kutztown better. I liked the campus, the field and distance-wise. I knew Slippery Rock wasn’t an option. Kutztown was the one.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I started summer club lacrosse in seventh and eighth grades of the summer season. I originally started at Bucks Select and then I switched over to PA Pride. That was in my sophomore year going into my junior year. That program really sets you up – if you want to play in college, they’ll get you there. Playing there and going to tournaments and getting e-mails from coaches, it pushed me to want to play more in college. It was very exciting, and I wanted to reach that goal.”
Coach Kelly White says: “Alana is an extremely talented goalkeeper. Just in this fall season I think she has the confidence coming back as a senior. I think she’s a little relieved that the college commitment has been made, and now she really seems to be having a lot of fun, and it’s coming out in her play all during the fall season. She’s fast, she has incredible clears – she can pretty much clear it down the field. I’m excited for her to go to Kutztown. There’s a new coach, and she’s trying to take it to the next level, and I think Alana can make an immediate impact for them.”
About Alana:
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: Hip Hop/Pop
Maggie Stella – Robert Morris University (Lacrosse)
Major: Elementary Education/Special Education
Final list of colleges: Robert Morris, Penn State, West Chester, Northeastern
Reasons for choosing Robert Morris: “I loved the location. The team, the coach – they were all like one big family, and I loved the atmosphere they set up. I also liked the city and how close it was but it wasn’t actually in the city.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I didn’t know which sport I was going to play (lacrosse or field hockey), but I knew I wanted to play one or the other in college. I was actually thinking about going to a D-3 or D-2 school and playing both, but I just felt more confident in lacrosse in my skills and my speed was better used.”
Because of your injury you won’t be playing your senior season. How disappointing is that? “It’s heartbreaking, but I know they will do well. They have a ton of freshman coming up. It will give another girl an opportunity she might not have gotten.”
Coach Kelly White says: “Maggie changes the whole game – that’s how much of an impact I feel she has as a player. I don’t think it’s necessarily just the fact that she is naturally athletic and she’s skillful and she’s a great lacrosse player, but she plays with so much passion and heart and love for the game. I do think that’s something that will take her to the next level, and she will be extremely successful at Robert Morris. It’s something we at CB East are going to desperately miss on the lacrosse field this season.
“Her junior season she played midfield for us. She is fast, she is strong, she is a smart player, she understands the situation of the game, she understands the offensive and defensive concepts and strategies. She’s just a natural born leader. She has the ability to impact everybody in a positive way to elevate their game. When she elevates her game, everybody kind of follows her lead. She has that ability to lift others around her. I think because she’s always working at the game, that inspires the girls around her to attempt to work as hard as she does.”
About Maggie:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: Elf
Favorite music: Country
Betty Wesney – IUP (Lacrosse)
Major: Athletic Training
Final list of colleges: IUP, LeMoyne (N.Y.), Salisbury
Reasons for choosing IUP: “IUP is a great school. It’s not too far – it’s the perfect distance for me. The campus was really pretty, very scenic, and I’m big on scenery. It’s very big – about 15,000 students, and when I went on my unofficial visit, I definitely clicked with the team and the coach. Everyone was very welcoming and very kind. I’m very excited. It was definitely a place I could call home.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I started playing lacrosse in second grade, so I have been playing all my life. I moved here a couple of years ago from Connecticut, so once I started getting used to it here and realizing that – hey, this is something I could enjoy in college, I started to pursue it and do whatever I could to improve to make sure the college coaches would notice me and would want to pursue me as well.”
Coach Kelly White says: “Last year Betty played attack, but this year with the absence of Maggie (Stella) on the lacrosse field, I am looking for Betty to step up and play midfield this season. She definitely has the height, she has the speed, and she has really stepped up in the fall season with her communication on defense. She has a beautiful little riser of a shot, and I think she will be a nice asset to IUP when she goes there next year.”
About Betty:
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: Country
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