On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Bensalem seniors Kaila DeWees & Alexis Ryan were recognized for committing to play collegiate lacrosse. Black Beard Lacrosse Club sponsors girls/boys lacrosse. (Photos provided courtesy of Jess Ody/Bensalem HS)
“One of the things that stands out about all of my girls – none of them start playing before they get to high school,” Bensalem coach Jim DeWees said. “It’s a new experience when they come in as a freshman picking up a lacrosse stick. They never play before they get to me, so they have a lot to overcome to get to the point where they can play at a competitive school.”
Kaila DeWees – Virginia Wesleyan University (Lacrosse)
Major: Pre-law
Reasons for choosing Virginia Wesleyan: Tthe beach and the area around the college.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I have
known I wanted to play at the next level for a long time, and I have just always loved lacrosse.”
Coach Jim DeWees says: “Kaila has been with the program since her freshman year. I started the program with my older daughter seven years. We kind of restarted with Kaila’s age group after COVID. It was a hard reset. Kaila had a good year – she’s a center midfielder, and she led our team in draw controls with 84 on the season. She was pretty heavily recruited – a lot of D2 schools and a couple of D1 offers, and the school that she fell in love with is Virginia Beach Wesleyan.”
About Kaila:
Favorite food: Mashed potatoes
Favorite TV show: Games of Thrones
Favorite artist: Livingston
Alexis Ryan – Holy Family University (Lacrosse)
Coach Jim DeWees says: “Lexi Ryan has been a four-year player for me. Lexi was a midfielder this year. She had 34 goals and 72 draw controls. She was an instrumental member of the team. She didn’t start looking at where she was going to school until pretty late. She was looking to move down to Florida, but she was talking to the coaches at Holy Family. They pulled her in – they convinced her that was the place for her to play, so she’s going to start her college career there. It’s awesome. There’s nothing more satisfying for me. I love doing this for that reason alone – just to see the girls have another step to their career.”
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