Interview with SHS Lacrosse Player Sutton Case

Welcome back to the fifth week of the Spring Edition of Off the Reels! This week, I interviewed Sutton Case, Captain of the SHS Girls Lacrosse team. 

Meet Springboro High School Lacrosse Captain Sutton Case…

Lacrosse story:

Sutton started playing lacrosse in first grade. She said, “I basically grew up with a lacrosse stick in my hand.” She told me that she also played soccer and basketball, but they paled in comparison to lacrosse. Sutton’s older brother, Titan, also started playing lacrosse in first grade and routinely asked her to practice with him. At first, she couldn’t keep up, but she wanted to be better than him, so this was her inspiration to start playing. Now it is eleven years later, and Sutton just wrapped up her junior season as a midfielder and Captain on the lacrosse team where she scored 46 goals with 16 assists and 89 draw controls and won First Team All Region and Most Valuable Player!

Lessons from Lacrosse:

One of the most valuable things about sports is how they change lives off the field. Lacrosse has taught Sutton so much, including time management so that she can balance practices and games, her schoolwork, and hobbies. She notes that the most important lessons have been how to work with others and how vital teamwork is. In her words, “Collaborating and working with a group is such a good way to solve problems with everything.”

Sutton’s favorite memory from playing lacrosse with the Panthers:

Sutton’s favorite memory as a Panther is her team’s game at home against Indian Hill this year. They lost to Indian Hill in the pre-season and were working hard to make sure that they would win when they met again. When the Panthers faced Indian Hill later in the season, the boys lacrosse team came to cheer them on, and the Panthers won by one goal at the end of the game. After clenching the win, the Panthers turned on a strobe light and some music in their locker room and had a dance party to celebrate the win. 

How losing last season changed Sutton’s perspective for this season:

Every spring athlete I have interviewed faced the heartache of losing their 2020 season to the pandemic. As an athlete, I cannot imagine how this felt, so I asked Sutton how this changed her perspective going into her junior season. She said that losing her sophomore season to the pandemic taught her not to take anything for granted and to “always put all effort on the field.” The team also started a new chant this year called “All in” to remind them to put forth their best effort because they never know what might happen.

What gives Sutton motivation:

Sutton derives her motivation from her teammates. She told me that they are always picking each other up, and they are like family to her. One of Sutton’s absolute favorite things is celebrating with her team. She said that is what “makes lacrosse all worth it to me.” Of her teammates, she praised, “playing each game with them; they are the reason why I work hard in practice and games. They motivate me in every single way.”

Sutton’s pre-game music:

During warm-ups, Sutton is zoned in, listening to rap in her headphones. However, in the locker room right before the game, the whole team is blasting throwbacks and having a little dance party to shake the nerves and remind themselves and each other to have fun. 

Sutton’s second choice of position:

Sutton is a midfielder, but I was curious as to what position she would play if it wasn’t middie. She told me that she would choose defense. Her coach played defense, so Sutton has been able to learn a lot more about working with the goalie and causing turnovers. She told me that causing turnovers is difficult, but, in her eyes, it can be much more rewarding than scoring a goal. 

Sutton’s goals for her senior season:

Sutton’s goal for the senior lacrosse season next spring is to make it to state. She thinks her team has a great shot at making it to state, and she’s not going to stop working hard until she gets there. As Captain of the team, Sutton is also encouraging her team to also work toward this goal because it is definitely attainable. 

Sutton’s advice for lacrosse players:

Sutton wanted to share a few pieces of advice that pertain to all athletes. She told me that she used to be afraid to fail, but putting herself back out on the field again and again has made her a better athlete. In her words, “I would just say not to be afraid to mess up...when you fail, giving a hundred percent effort, the only thing it makes you do is become a better athlete.” Sutton also recommends setting team and personal goals each game because it is rewarding when you accomplish them, and it gives you direction to work toward. And finally, “Never lose sight of having fun.” Hearing this from a great athlete like Sutton is important because no matter the challenges we face, the foundation of our passion
for sports comes from having fun.