Behind the Bearcat: Camryn Callaghan, Freshman, Lacrosse - University of Cincinnati Athletics
Get the inside scoop on Cincinnati freshman attacker Camryn Callaghan, who currently ranks fifth in the nation for goals. Cincinnati Athletics features more than 400 student-athletes, including Camryn Callaghan, Freshman, Lacrosse. Callaghan is one of the nation's top newcomers and goal scorers 10 games in her first season with the Bearcats, and the team is coming off a dominant 19-6 victory over Vanderbilt to open conference play last Saturday. She and her teammates are doing incredible things on and off the field, including studying hall hours, and having their teammates and coaches believe in them. Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals? Share your thoughts with iReport.
Published : 2 years ago by University of Cincinnati Athletics in
Cincinnati Athletics features more than 400 student-athletes who are doing incredible things on and off the field. Some will go pro in sports. Some will go on to do great things in business, medicine or other professional fields. All will be Bearcats for Life. These are their stories.
Cincinnati women's lacrosse freshman has emerged as one the nation's top newcomers and goal scorers 10 games in her first season with the Bearcats. The Upper Arlington, Ohio, native ranks fifth nationally with 38 goals. Earlier this season, she tied the school record with eight goals against Marquette.
Callaghan is a three-time AAC Freshman of the Week. She and the Bearcats are coming off a dominant 19-6 victory over Vanderbilt to open conference play last Saturday.
UC (7-3 overall, 1-0 AAC) will look to add to its winning ways against Butler at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Nippert Stadium. The game will air live on ESPN+.
What was your recruiting process like coming out of Upper Arlington High School?
"Being an Ohio kid was tough during the recruiting process because there was little exposure there compared to the East Coast, which is a hot bed for college lacrosse. However, [head coach Gina Thomas] Gina and the coaching staff knew my high school well and attending college camps helped with the process. I constantly contacted coaches and attended showcases, which really helped with my exposure within the sport."
What was going through your head before your first collegiate game?
"I had some nerves, but felt ready to go at the same time. We had been working for six months at the time, but at the same time, I am a freshman that was walking onto the field with girls that have been here for three or four years. I knew that I had to just go out there and do my job. I kept telling myself I was ready to go, I knew I was and I had my teammates behind me, which was probably what has helped me the most having my teammates and coaches believe in me."
Did you have any "welcome to college moments"?
"Yes, I would say the practices and then having to do study hall hours and other student-athlete responsibilities on top of that. That was a major adjustment. The resources we have here help us a lot as student-athletes, but it was very different than high school."
What is your mindset for games?
"Getting the first goal is what drives me a lot, when I get my first goal in a game it makes me want to get five more. But if that is not the case, I do not get stressed out I look for my teammates and I am going to do everything I can to get our team the first goal weather it is me or someone else I just try and look for that."
What are your team goals for the second half of the season?
"Personally, I want to work on using the other sides of the field whether it is using my left hand or being in a different position on the field. I would like to be more versatile player and be placed wherever. For our team our focus is to move the ball faster and hit those looks on offense, because our team is good at cutting and finishing inside the eight. So fast ball movement is something we have started to tighten up on recently."
Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
"I always listen to music before a game and a superstition would be that I always wear a red scrunchie, I have always worn a scrunchie in my hair for games. It used to be bright pink but now that I am at Cincinnati, red is more fitting. It also helps my grandparents find me on the field when they are watching our games on TV."
Has there been a teammate or teammates that have been the most welcoming?
"One teammate would be on the attacking side because she is a great person to ask for advice. During intense moments she is always very calm with her delivery. My other person would be Harper Clopton, she was so nice and welcoming before we even had our first workout and has been someone that I have gone to with questions or advice."
When you finish playing lacrosse, what is your goal after college?
"I would want to coach or be behind the scenes of lacrosse in some aspect. I have coached over the summer and being here has given me great experience with that as well. But if that is not the path for me then I would want to get into sports marketing and hopefully work in professional sports."
Topics: Academia, Cincinnati, Ohio