Parents Weekend Welcomes New Lacrosse Parents as Generals

The town of Lexington was full of activity the past three days as Washington and Lee celebrated the 54th annual Parents and Family weekend. The days were highlighted by numerous sporting events, classes with your current students, luncheons, and numerous social gatherings filled with friends and family.

The lacrosse team threw a fun appetizer gathering on Saturday evening before people headed out to other various obligations and dinner reservations. The event was a great success as it was not only wonderful to catch-up with parents not seen since May, but also a great way to meet new parents and welcome them to the team!

The weather even cooperated Saturday afternoon and on into Sunday, enough so that David Robinson, father of senior tri-captain Kelsi, was able to carve a festive pumpkin for the occasion!

Captains Kelsi Robinson and Colleen Evans show off the finished product!

Junior Meredith Freeman Gives Us an Update From Vienna

1. What made you decide to study abroad in Austria?
-As a German major I really only had the choice of 3 locations (including Vienna) so the pickings were slim. Fortunately for me, as a business major also, one of the suggested programs actually WAS this program in Vienna because of the significantly wide variety of business and economics classes offered. So it was a no-brainer. Vienna it was.

2. What's the coolest thing you've done since you have arrived there?
-Well, I live in a 14 person penthouse apartment... so every day is basically the coolest day ever just because I get to wake up and eat breakfast on a terrace overlooking the entire city. I've gotten lost a few times, but tend to think I'm really cool when I can navigate the subway system and find my way home. There are a ton of open markets, and I've done some great bargaining to get all of my food to cook, but I think the coolest thing I will do abroad is coming up in 2 weeks when I go sky diving in Interlochen.

3. What's the best food you've eaten there?
-Oh my goodness, German food is SO good! A typical Viennese dish is called "pfandkuche suppe" and it is basically chopped up pancakes in chicken broth. It is random, but by far my favorite dish. That, and butter pretzels. Yuuuuummm.

4. What's the funniest thing that has happened to you?
-I tend to fall on the subway a lot. But really, I almost took out an old lady one time while I was trying to change a song on my iPod and the train took a sharp turn. I missed her head with my elbow by about 3 centimeters...

5. What is the biggest cultural difference?
-Well, all kinds of people: old, young, fat, ugly, gothic-- make out in public. All the time. And yet, I am the only one who seems to be embarrassed by that. That, and NOBODY j-walks. I got the meanest, nastiest glares from people the first 2 days I was here before I realized what I was doing wrong. There could be no cars for 4 miles, and STILL nobody would cross the street. Talk about an honor system!

6. Do most people know what lacrosse is or do you have to explain it to them?
-I have given up trying to explain lacrosse to people. Even some of the Americans in my program have no idea what lacrosse is. I've resorted to saying "I play a lot of sports". If they are interested beyond that phrase, I just say I play soccer... But there IS a girls team at the University of Vienna. I was going to try and play, but unfortunately I have class when they practice... :(

7. What do you miss most about W&L?
-The people. I miss sitting and talking at lunch with everyone and knowing what is going on at school and in the world. I feel slightly disconnected here, except for politics. Austrians have their own election coming up on September 29th, and yet all they seem to talk about is Sarah Palin and the American election. I guess we're just that interesting...

8. Anything you want to say to the laxers?
-L4L and Love the process! I can't wait to see you in this winter! I MISS YOU ALL!!!

9. Any other comments?
-I think if W&L wasn't such an amazing school, and I didn't have lacrosse to look forward to, I don't think I would ever leave; I am having SO MUCH FUN! But I would kill for a nice juicy cheeseburger and a quesadilla. They don’t seem to have any of these food over here!

P.S. The picture is where I go running everyday. It is called the Schönbrunn Palace, and it was the Hapsburgs summer palace. They have gardens and trails for miles and a long winding uphill trail that leads up to the "glorriette"--a war memorial dedicated to "just war" which leads to peace after The War of Austrian Succession and the 7 years war. I'm standing next to the Gloriette looking down at the palace in this picture. This beautiful area is about a 5 minute jog from my apartment... I love life.

Burr Datz Takes over as Coach for an Afternoon

Last Monday the Women’s Lacrosse players did something slightly different for one of their final fall-ball sessions. Washington and Lee’s director of Leadership Development, Burr Datz, put the Generals through a series of team-building exercises. The afternoon was filled with mental and physical challenges as the girls smiled and laughed while overcoming the obstacles Burr threw at them. From a hoola-hoop loop, to reprogramming a key pad, to climbing over walls, the team began to unite, welcoming their newest members. Brooke and I were thrilled at the voices we heard stepping in with ideas and contributions. I was great to see the players all work together and support each other to achieve the goals the set during the session. Hopefully the team will keep up the hard-work now that fall-ball is over and they will remember to...

FOCUS ON THE TOP!

Alumnae Face Off Against Current Players

As October begins, the excitement of homecoming invades Lexington. The campus was alive this past weekend as the team welcomed back eight former laxers to the 3rd annual Alumnae game on Saturday. The yearly event is always a fun time for past and present players to catch-up and reminisce. The fall conditions could not have been any better and the game was certainly a fun event for all Generals included.

The contest featured 2008 graduates Allison Gockley, Kat Michaels, Megan Slosson, Sarah Tilbor, and Kelly Zwart, as well as 2007 graduate Mallory Lobisser, and 2005 graduate Kristen Brown. Coaching the returning squad was 2008 graduate Christine Bender who was unable to play due to an injury. The alumnae had a great time and felt at home as they were reunited with the current players who filled out their roster. Though they inaccurately claim they won, the returning group certainly held their own after a few cobwebs were brushed off.

Unfortunately, the excitement of the Alumnae game also means the conclusion of the fall season. The four-week season has certainly snuck away from us and it’s hard to believe that this Tuesday marks the end of the sixteen sessions. Brooke and I will now eagerly await the New Year and start of our regular season in January.