On Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, Hatboro-Horsham seniors Gabby Acker, Gwyn Acker and Kaitlyn Wallace were recognized for signing letters of intent to play lacrosse at the collegiate level. Check back to view photos of the event.
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Gabby Acker – Temple University (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Temple, Lafayette, St. Joe’s
Reasons for choosing Temple: “Gabby and I both made our own decisions. We knew we were looking at some of the same schools, but we were also looking at different schools, so we were basically doing what we wanted. If we ended up at the same school, then we did.
“The reason I picked Temple was because a lot of my family went there. My older sister is there now, so I visited a lot and really got the feel for it. A bunch of my cousins graduated from Temple, and I have a cousin there now, so I knew I would fit right in.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I wasn’t sure which sport I wanted to play. I started to play field hockey a lot more during middle school and the beginning of my high school career, so when I was a freshman and sophomore, I was like, ‘I could play field hockey in college.’ But then all of a sudden our summer going into junior year, I had a really good lacrosse season for our summer team, Ultimate, and I thought lacrosse was suited more for my personality, so I was more excited for that.
Coach Stephanie DeVito says: “Gabby is kind of sneaky in that she seems really soft and quiet, and then when I saw her get out there on the field or in the gym, it was like, ‘Wow.’ There were seniors last year, and I’d tell them, ‘You guys are just as good as them. You can keep up with them.’ One of the seniors said, ‘I can’t keep up with Gabby. She’s so fast.’ She just sets the bar really high. I remember a lot of times during practices and mostly games – she would say to the coaching staff, ‘Is there anything else that I can do better?’ She wasn’t someone who was pointing the finger and saying, ‘They’re not doing their job.’ It was always – ‘What can I do better?’ Most of the time it was – just keep doing what you’re doing.”
About Gabby:
Favorite food: Mashed Potatoes
Favorite movie: Harry Potter
Favorite music: Pop
Gwyn Acker – Temple University (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Temple, Delaware
Reasons for choosing Temple: “I liked the atmosphere, and I really enjoyed the coaches’ style – how they coach and how they teach when they coach. I also like how close it is to home because it’s important for me to have my family come watch. I also thought I fit in with the girls on the team really well.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “When I started Ultimate Lacrosse, I got serious into club, and I traveled a lot. That made me realize I wanted to play lacrosse in college because I love the sport.”
Coach Stephanie Devito says: “Gwyn was injured and couldn’t play at the start of the season last year, and it was hard, but she showed up for every game, every practice, every open gym. She gave rides to other kids, helped the coaches out and helped the underclassmen. She was just extremely dedicated. When she was able to get out on the field, she was second to none – unparalleled speed, her stick skills are incredible, she can play any position and really, really strong leadership and just a class act all the way around. I’m really proud of her.”
About Gwyn:
Favorite food: Ice Cream
Favorite movie: Day After Tomorrow
Favorite music: Pop
Ultimate Lacrosse coach Michelle DeJuliis: “Gwyn and Gabby – what isn’t there to say about those two? They’re like lightening speed, they’re fast. Their work ethic is unbelievable on the field. They’ll do whatever you say. They’re two kids that are like little gnats – they are in your face, they’re all over the field, making stops, making great plays. If you think about the 17s we have in our club, you’re going to notice certain kids, and Gwyn and Gabby are just dominant as a duo. Oftentimes when the two of them are in there together, they just work so well, so it’s so fluid. They come from a family that’s really fantastic. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know especially their mom and little sister pretty well, and they’re just really great kids. We’re very fortunate to have such amazing players and people to represent our club.”
Kaitlyn Wallace – Penn State University (Lacrosse)
Major: Kinesiology or Education
Final list of colleges: Penn State, Brown, UConn, Temple, Rutgers.jpg)
Reasons for choosing Penn State: “Penn State has been part of my family for a while. My dad’s an alumni, so we’ve always been fans. When I stepped on campus for the first time, I knew it was the place for me. To be able to play for a school we’ve always been cheering for is something I couldn’t pass up.”
What’s the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I’ve known for a while – ever since seventh grade when I started playing club, I’d always watch the Maryland games, Northwestern games because they were the big teams at the time. Watching them play at the next level and the intensity, I just knew that was something I’d want to be pursuing myself.”
Coach Stephanie DeVito says: “Wallace from the beginning of the season – because we were a new coaching staff last year, she was a little bit like an advisor to me. She’s strong - don’t mess with her, and she is so responsible. In my house, we read a lot of superhero books, and she reminds me of Spiderman because with great power comes great responsibility, and she does not take that responsibility lightly. We asked her to play many different positions on the field, and she was always giving 110 percent no matter what. All three of them have impeccable stick skills, and all three of them set a really great example for the underclassmen and just other young women in our community today. I’m really proud of them.”
Ultimate lacrosse coach Michelle DeJuliis: “Kait is going to my alma mater, so I’m super psyched about 
that. She is a phenomenal athlete up and down the field, just a total utility player. I like to call them those blue collar players that just do the dirty work, and they just get the job done. Whatever you tell her to do – she runs through a brick wall. I’m proud of all the kids – they work so hard for what they want, but Kait definitely is someone that the first time I met her I knew she was going to be a stud, and she has completely earned it. The type of person she is – she’s phenomenal, and her family has been wonderful. I can’t say enough good things about that kid. It’s cool that she’s going to be wearing the blue and white. I’m very proud.”
About Kaitlyn:
Favorite food: Chicken Cesar Salad
Favorite movie: Friday Night Lights
Favorite music: Alternative
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