Chatfield seniors (left to right) Matt Gaiter, Kendra Lanuza and Ben Overholt where three of nine Chargers to sign scholarships Wednesday to continue their athletic/academic careers in college. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss)
LITTLETON — Chatfield senior Kendra Lanuza welcomes being the torch barer when it comes to girls lacrosse in Jefferson County.
Lanuza had three teammates — Emily McMinimee, Allie Sale and Rachel Walker — sign with Division I lacrosse programs last year. The talented Chargers’ lacrosse squad advanced to the state semifinals last spring for the first time in the program’s history.
Now it’s Lanuza’s turn. The attacker, who led the state with 101 goals her junior season, has signed to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Denver after graduating from Chatfield this coming spring.
“I want to follow in their footsteps and be a good example for the younger generations,” said Lanuza of becoming the latest DI girls lacrosse product to come out of Jeffco.
Chatfield senior Kendra Lanuza, left, led the state with 101 goals last girls lacrosse season. Lanuza has signed to play lacrosse at the University of Denver after completing her senior season at Chatfield. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss)
The answer to why chose DU was easy for Lanuza. The Pioneers are a growing powerhouse coming off a 17-2 season and berth in the NCAA tournament last year. DU is ranked 19th in the preseason IWLCA Coaches poll.
“I really liked the location. The coaches were awesome. The team really works well together. They are definitely becoming a power in the west,” said Lanuza who already has some impressive career stats with 182 goals and 79 assists going into her senior season at Chatfield. “Beginning close to home is nice. Then there is the weather. I love it out here, it’s definitely better than the East Coast.”
Lanuza started played lacrosse in the fifth grade. She knew she could play at the highest collegiate level when DI coaches showed interest at tournament on the East Coast between her freshman and sophomore year.
She also knows there is a tremendous jump from high school to DI. Gianna Ossello a friend who graduated from Wheat Ridge High School last year and is a freshman on the women’s lacrosse team at Duke University, ranked No. 8 nationally, has tipped off Lanuza on what to expect.
“She (Ossello) said it’s definitely an adjustment. It’s way different then what we are used to in high school,” Lanuza said. “It’s more competitive and everyone is at your same level if not better.”
Lanuza will begin her final prep season for the Chargers in a month when Chatfield opens up against ThunderRidge on March 5 at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood. She hopes the Chargers are able to win a third straight conference title and enjoy another deep run into the postseason.
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Chatfield High School athletic director Chad Broer, far right, talks during the Chargers’ celebration for their student-athlete signers Wednesday. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss)