Player Spotlight - Junior Julia Gotwald

Name: Julia Gotwald

Nickname: J-Got
Class: 2010
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
High School: St. Stephens and St. Agnes School
Uniform #: 16
Majors: Business Administration & Mass Communication
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Food: Peanut butter




What led you to attend and play lacrosse at W&L?
-I had attended W&L lacrosse (and soccer) camp from 4th grade until 9th grade and I loved the atmosphere and the campus

How did you spend this past summer?
-Studying in Barcelona, Spain with Cav :)

What is the best class you have taken so far at W&L? Why?
-Oceanography because I learned cool things about the earth and ocean and we did a lot of fun activities. I also took it with my friends.

What is your favorite non-lax activity at W&L?
-Watching other teams play sports and tutoring at Mountain View Elementary.

What is your favorite Lexington Restaurant? Why?
-Bistro because their house salad with the pears is so good!

Best W&L lax memory?
-Beating Middlebury.

What does W&L lax mean to you?
-It means teamwork, commitment, best friends, fun, and pushing yourself to be the best you can be.

What was the last book you read for pleasure?
-Generation Kill

Any other fun facts about yourself you’d like to share?
-I have a twin sister who plays lacrosse at Middlebury.

Player Spotlight - Junior Natalie Herndon

Name: Natalie Herndon

Nickname: Nat
Class: 2010
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
High School: Westminster
Uniform #: 11
Majors: Spanish with a minor in Latin American Caribbean Studies and a certificate in Teacher Education (a mouthful, right?)
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Food: Chick Fil-a Waffle fries and ice cream (I frequently drive to Roanoke to get them)


What led you to attend and play lacrosse at W&L?
-When I was initially applying to schools, I didn’t even know that I would be capable of playing lacrosse in college. I came from an area where there wasn’t a lot of recruiting done, and unless you’d played your entire life, you probably wouldn’t get seen. However, after my junior year, I realized that I wouldn’t want to give up playing after my senior year. W&L was the perfect place, because it was a small school that allowed me to get involved socially, academically, and athletically. I tried out for the team, and it ended up being the best decision I’ve made yet!

How did you spend this past summer?
-I coached at a couple of lacrosse camps in Atlanta, but mostly I got to see my friends from home. Almost all of my cousins got married this summer, so my family and I also spent a lot of time travelling.

What is the best class you have taken so far at W&L? Why?
-Currently, I’m taking Creative Writing with Professor Gavaler. Initially, I was nervous about taking the class because I’ve never considered myself creative, or a very good writer; however, it has provided a creative outlet and a nice break from an extremely stressful schedule.

What is your favorite non-lax activity at W&L?
-I got involved in W&L’s teaching program at the beginning of my Sophomore year, and ever since then, I’ve been teaching and tutoring at various middle schools in and around Lexington. Currently, I’m teaching at Rockbridge County middle school, and I love getting to spend time with the kids. They are just starting to learn Spanish, so it’s awesome to pass on what I’ve learned. They especially enjoy any tips or strategies to make learning a new language easier. Also, the kids are hilarious, and I end up leaving each day laughing and joking around with them.

What is your favorite Lexington Restaurant? Why?
-Well—the junior class has an attraction to Subway. I don’t know why, but I guess it’s just easy, and who doesn’t love $5 foot longs?

Best W&L lax memory?
-I think my favorite lax memory was seeing our team come together last year. As a sophomore, I could see things that I hadn’t even noticed, or even knew about my freshman year. It was really cool to see the process of everyone figuring out how we worked together best and work together in order to make one, cohesive team. It gave us the confidence to play well because we had worked so hard throughout the season.
Also the Middlebury game was AWESOME!

What does W&L lax mean to you?
-Lacrosse means so many things to me that it is absolutely impossible to describe. I can’t imagine my life without it, or without the people that I’ve become so close to because of it. Lax has also been something that has provided me with something to look forward to everyday during season. It’s a process that allows me to work hard and actually see results as the season goes on. It not only gives me the chance to make lifelong friends, but also makes me a more focused and hard working person.

What was the last book you read for pleasure?
-I read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen recently—it was awesome and I highly recommend it!

Player Spotlight - Junior Laura Cavanaugh

Name: Laura Cavanaugh
Nickname: Cav
Class: Junior
Hometown: Pylesville, MD
High School: North Harford
Uniform #: 8
Majors: Business Administration and Studio Art
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Food: Spaghetti




What led you to attend and play lacrosse at W&L?
-I had decided to play collegiate lacrosse before my college search, so that decision was easy. I attended W&L because it was the best place where I would have the opportunity to balance high levels of academics and lacrosse while also involving myself in social activities.

How did you spend this past summer?
-I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and traveled Europe for a week. The remaining part of my summer was spent at home and on vacation with family and friends.

What is the best class you have taken so far at W&L? Why?
-Art History: Renaissance to Present because of the engaging lectures and interesting subject matter.

What is your favorite non-lax activity at W&L?
-Painting, dancing with friends.

What is your favorite Lexington Restaurant? Why?
-Probably Aunt Sarah’s because of the cheap and awesome brunch.

Best W&L lax memory?
-Crushing Middlebury last year!!

What does W&L lax mean to you?
-W&L lax is a great opportunity for me to completely apply myself out of the classroom. I love being part of our awesome group of girls and upholding the responsibility of a teammate both on and off the field.

What was the last book you read for pleasure?
-No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

Any other fun facts about yourself you’d like to share?
-I love penguins and the beach.

Player Spotlight- Junior Britten Mathews

Name: Britten Mathews
Nickname: Brit
Class: Junior
Hometown: Richmond, VA
High School: Collegiate
Uniform #: 17
Majors: Business administration and accounting
Favorite Color: pink
Favorite Food: My mom’s homemade chicken squares



What led you to attend and play lacrosse at W&L?
-My dream since I was in middle school was to play lacrosse at W&L. Knowing it was a phenomenal academic university as well as a winning team was the exact combination I was looking for. I love the Lexington, small town feel as well as the tight knit community that W&L has to offer. I knew the chance to be involved academically, athletically, and socially was a once in a lifetime opportunity. What I did not realize I would gain are the true friendships I have developed with my teammates and the seasons we have shared. The opportunity to play lacrosse is a blessing I could never be more thankful for.

How did you spend this past summer?
-I studied at the London School of Economics for 6 weeks and travelled around Europe.

What is the best class you have taken so far at W&L? Why?
-Marketing- It is fascinating and I love Professor Bower. I find myself analyzing commercials and magazine ads unintentionally, based on what I have learned recently in class. It is incredibly relevant and much more interactive than just reading text books.

What is your favorite non-lax activity at W&L?
-I love taking advantage of the Lexington area with my friends. I really enjoy driving through the countryside and cooking out on fall days. I think Lexington offers an opportunity to enjoy everything that is around us.

What is your favorite Lexington Restaurant? Why?
-The Bistro on Main- I love the bread and it is such a variety of food that I always leave satisfied. Plus it has sweet tea!

Best W&L lax memory?
-Our win against Middlebury in 2008!!!!

What does W&L lax mean to you?
-W&L lacrosse to me means at team of incredible friends who I can count on both on and off the field. A team that has incredible focus and drive towards the same goals, knowing the dedication it takes to get there. W&L is a team that has a passion for both the sport and the school, with true pride in being student-athletes.

What was the last book you read for pleasure?
-I have to be honest about this one- Gossip Girl. It is a wonderful beach read!

Any other fun facts about yourself you’d like to share?
-My favorite places are the beach, my river house, and Chapel Hill, NC. I am a big UNC fan! I also have a miniature beagle named Smith after the legendary UNC basketball coach, Dean Smith.