In the world of sports, playing at the next level is always the dream. However, when nearing the end of high school, many athletes are done and will no longer be playing sports competitively. Only seven percent of student-athletes play in college, and past that, only two percent will ever play at the division I (DI) level. To become a college athlete, you have to be the best of the best in your field. The athletes below have shown their ability to be a cut above the masses.

Isabelle Watson (11)

Spring sports are often the hardest sports to make an impression on collegiate scouts, but Isabelle Watson (11) stood out after committing to Central Michigan University in October. Watson has been playing lacrosse for nine years and is a multiple-time All-American. Committing to a DI program is the icing on the cake for her career. 

Watson went through the process of recruitment this school year due to how competitive the field is for female lacrosse players, with many players only getting offers from DI schools during their junior year. While that may seem reductive, it allows colleges to see the student athletes’ development before they have ever played a single game for them. 

“If I didn’t commit [junior year] all the DI spots would be gone,” Watson said

For someone who has been playing lacrosse for as long as Watson, stress was something that was at least minimally a factor. However, even with the stress placed on her throughout her playing career, she has been able to shake it off.

“I think I perform better under that stress, knowing that I need to perform,” Watson said.

Watson has seen girls’ lacrosse grow greatly in her career, initially starting out playing boys’ lacrosse because the girls’ programs were so small at the time. Since then she has seen an explosion in girls’ lacrosse with her being a big part of that growth around the area.

“I [referee] young kids and like, getting them interested in like doing what coaches did for me,” Watson said “I try to do all I can do with these younger kids and help build [lacrosse] up as much as I can.”

Being a part of her sports growth is a major point of pride for Watson, with lacrosse seeing major growth over the last 15 years. These sports, which are mostly based in New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, have become a Midwestern phenomenon thanks to players like Watson.

“I’m

excited, I think it’s really big,” Watson said. “Lacrosse in the Midwest hasn’t been that big, so seeing its growth is great.”

Zoe Hagan (11)

Soccer is a sport that in a way, belongs to everyone. It doesn’t cost much money and is easy for anyone to play. But to be good at soccer is an entirely different story– a story that Zoe Hagan (11) has lived through as one of the top goalkeepers in the Lansing area. Her hard work has won her a scholarship to Saginaw Valley State University, a school that brings in many players of high caliber. 

This past year, four Saginaw Valley Soccer players were named all-conference and two were named Division 2 (DII) All-M

idwest. For Hagan, this accomplishment is exceptionally special because it makes her the first person in her family to play a sport at the collegiate level.

“I will be the first to go and play in college and that’s cool,” Hagan said. “ Especially since everybody in my family has played soccer, just never to that point. It takes a very strong person to be able to go through the college recruitment process.”

Due to Hagan’s role as a goalkeeper, her performance is often the thing that will make or break a game. The added stress of being watched by the people who will soon become her coaches could break down her play. 

“If I mess up it’s seen by everybody,” Hagan said “That’s not just a little mess up. My mistakes could cost my team.”. 

Fortunately for Hagan, performing under pressure is second nature because she has played on the varsity soccer team since her freshman year. Hagan has been recognized for her ability every season, winning second-team All-Conference in 2021 and first-team All-Conference in 2022, as well as setting a school record for most shutouts this past season.

“[Those accolades] make me who I am, not even just as a soccer player, but as a person,” Hagan said.

Sophie Klinger (12)

Basketball is a sport that requires a lot of discipline, and Sophie Klinger (12) is a standout player for just that. Klinger showed that she could be a college-caliber player after committing to Calvin University, a Division III (DIII) school in Grand Rapids. Klinge

r has been playing basketball since she was in kindergarten, which makes the fact that she is playing at the collegiate level even more special.

“I read a statistic that said that only seven percent of student-athletes even make it to the college level,” Klinger said. 

As an incoming freshman, she is expected to prepare for a major change, and for Klinger, that change involves being part of a new team as she joins Calvin’s basketball team. College athletics are much more serious than the high school level of play and so priming for that change is going to be a big point for Klinger.

“I’m going in with low expectations and my main goal being to win games,” Klinger said. “That puts it into perspective for me just how lucky I am.”

Athletes at the DIII level are non-scholarship, which Klinger believes creates a better culture because athletes play because they want to be there, rather than being paid to be there like D1 athletes. 

“Basketball is my hobby and I love it,” Klinger said, “But my education comes first and I think playing [at the DIII level] helps to show what is important.”