Thomasson closes book on stellar varsity career

Sarah Thomasson moved to Florida in the summer of 2014, right before she started high school. She used lacrosse to introduce and ingratiate herself into the Ponte Vedra Beach community.

After four stellar years on Ponte Vedra High School’s girls lacrosse team, the 18-year-old is The Record’s Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year.

The University of Virginia signee is a two-time U.S. Lacrosse All-American who scored 33 goals this season. She discussed her spectacular season with The Record.

What is your favorite memory as a varsity athlete?

My favorite memory is returning to states last year, returning to the final four, because a lot of people doubted us. A lot of people doubted our team and our abilities after losing such a strong class. We lost a lot of really, really talented seniors (in 2016). I think we were the underdog in that situation after losing to Bartram (in 2016). I had the best memories, and the best girls on the team were there that year so it was so fun.

Hop on the wagon?

Yeah. That was the best motto. It was awesome.

What was your favorite memory from this season?

Even though we lost the game, I think Bishop Moore early in the season. We came back — that was the team we lost to last year in the final four. Coming back, we were down most of the game. We returned at the end of the game and started making a long stride of goals. That was really special. It gave us hope for the rest of the season that we had what it took to, maybe, return to states again.

You have been on the varsity for four years. Describe that experience because Ponte Vedra lacrosse is always good?

I jumped in, coming from a really strong program in Maryland, I jumped in my freshman year. Honestly, growing up in a hotbed, everyone plays lacrosse from when you’re 5 years old. … Coming to Florida, you choose to play this sport because it’s so new to Florida. That’s something that’s so unique and everyone is so passionate about it. I didn’t have that experience in Maryland. Everyone wants to be playing and wants to be working hard. It’s not like a given that you get to play. Ponte Vedra was unique in that sense that everyone was fired up and everyone wanted to win.

Who are people who have influenced you to be the person and athlete that you are?

The seniors last year really made an impact on me. We’re such good friends to this day. Ellie Lecker, Tess Reiman, Lainey McGriff, Maddie Lecker, those were some really special people. Tess, her work outside of school and her work in the community outside of lacrosse; Ellie with her sacrifice she’s giving to play lacrosse and serve our country (at the United States Naval Academy) and Lainey and Maddie have always wanted to come play and support. They have always kept us fired up. They made us a special team and made it a special season.

You mention Tess. What is your favorite book?

"In Cold Blood". I know it’s weird to think it’s one of my favorite books; but it honestly is. I wrote my college essay on it. It’s really interesting to learn about people. I like to study people and their psyche. It was cool to read that book.

So you referenced Truman Capote in a college essay. Describe how you made that happen?

I remember I talked about how mental illness impacts people and that’s something that we see all the time nowadays and people don’t talk about it. That’s something, those characters suffered through and alongside mental illness. That’s something I wanted to reference.

You seem to have a maturity beyond your years. How did this come about?

My parents raised me to be aware of all the differences of people that surround you. … I try my best to learn each side of people’s perspectives. I’ve been a leader in a lot of areas like sports, academics and I had the opportunity to be the editor of the yearbook. It grew me in a way I understand a lot of people, a lot of people at my school and interacting with other groups.

You were the editor of the Oceanic. What was the theme for this year?

My theme this year was I tried to make a different perspective and change the way people look at Ponte Vedra, our school and our community. Our community is very cookie-cutter in a sense. We have one mold in our school, how people should look, what we should be wearing, (how) we should act and how all these things we’ve grown up in. I wanted to (challenge) the perfect outlook and I wanted to show everyone who is struggling should be recognized and all different groups have a voice at Ponte Vedra, instead of certain groups and certain athletes. … My goal was to break that barrier and stray outside of what we’ve usually done.

How did being an athlete at Ponte Vedra prepare you for life as an athlete and young woman at the University of Virginia?

As much as being an athlete impacts you, I think at Ponte Vedra and being an athlete is such an incredible experience. We don’t realize this while we’re at the school, but everyone exceeds expectations and (expects) excellence. We’re striving toward one goal. We don’t’ realize it while we’re there, but there is so much support and so much help that we receive to achieve our goals. As an athlete, if nothing (else), I’ve learned to be on the field, fight through pain, fight through adversity and fight through rough time. That plays out on the field and plays out in life. I used lacrosse to get me through times that were hard. Moving, struggles, illness have been a part of my journey as a high schooler. That’s something I am so thankful for to carry on to Virginia. I know how to fight. I know how to work hard. I know how to get through times that are awful.”

2018 All-County Girls Lacrosse

FIRST TEAM

Sarah Thomasson, Ponte Vedra, Sr., Draw: The Record's Player of the Year and University of Virginia signee scored 33 goals, controlled 44 draws and won nine ground balls. She is a two-time U.S. Lacrosse All-American.

Emily Gober, St. Augustine, Jr., Defender: The Academic All-American moved from midfield to defense this season and led the Yellow Jackets in ground balls and interceptions. She was a second-team selection in 2016 and 2017.

Hannah Ingalls, Bartram Trail, Sr., Defender: The All-American led the Bears with 36 ground balls, 36 caused turnovers and 15 interceptions. She also scored seven goals, assisted two others and controlled 10 draws. The Wingate signee was a second-team selection in 2017.

Kendall Gracie, Creekside, Jr., Defender: Scooped up 25 ground balls and 30 draw controls for the District 5 champions. She also scored nine goals and assisted four.

Grace Wiegel, Creekside, Soph., Defender: Corralled team-high 41 ground balls, controlled 64 draws and scored 13 goals. She finished with two assists, one of which set up the Knights' game winner in the District 5 title game.

Emma Johnson, Ponte Vedra, Sr., Midfield: Provided 17 goals and 28 assists for the Sharks’ free-flowing attack. The Davidson signee is a two-time All-County selection.

Julia Duff, Creekside, Sr., Midfield: Scored 36 goals, assisted 10 and served as the primary player at the draw for the District 5 champion Knights. She controlled 30 draws and intercepted 10 balls.

Shannon Cotter, Nease, Sr., Midfield: The Jacksonville University signee led the Panthers' attack for the last four seasons. She was a second-team selection in 2017.

Cameron Nagao, Creekside, Sr., Attack: The Boston University signee was excellent in all phases, scoring 29 goals, providing 25 assists, controlling 30 draws, collecting 16 ground balls and intercepting a pair of passes in 11 games. She is a two-time first-team selection.

Taylor Thomas, St. Augustine, Jr., Attack: Led St. Johns County with 64 goals to help the Yellow Jackets win their second straight District 6 title. She is a two-time All-County selection who has scored 112 goals in the last two seasons.

Danielle Kelley, Bartram Trail, Jr., Attack: The U.S. Lacrosse All-American scored 46 goals in 10 games. Led Bears with 23 assists and also provided 10 ground balls, six caused turnovers and two interceptions.

Katie Van Der Linde, Creekside, Jr., Goalie: Had a .600 save percentage and made 186 saves for the District 5 champions. Her 12 saves in the district final helped the Knights win their first district title.

SECOND TEAM

Goalie: Lexi DeRoziere, Ponte Vedra.

Defense: Hannah Morell, Bartram Trail; Peyton Greenfelder, St. Augustine; Alex Hess, Ponte Vedra; Sami Meyers, Ponte Vedra

Midfield: Tierney Robinson, St. Augustine; Kelley Payne, Bartram Trail; Colleen Dolan, St. Joseph; Peyton Greenfelder, St. Augustine; Grace Tybor, Bartram Trail; Mary Rubright, Menendez.

Attack: Patti DeBlois, Creekside; Abbey Watson, Ponte Vedra; Aubriegh Furnal, Nease.

Sarah Thomasson

School: Ponte Vedra

Age: 18

Grade: Senior

Accomplishments: Scored 33 goals, controlled 44 draws and won nine ground balls.

Notable: Earned lacrosse scholarship to the University of Virginia; earned 2018 Jackie Pitts Award from U.S. Lacrosse North Florida chapter; two-time U.S. Lacrosse All-America; graduated with a 4.4 weighted grade point average; will study political science and public policy.

Personal: Parents, Dan and Janet; has two brothers, Will and John.

Previous Winners

2017: Ellie Lecker, Ponte Vedra

2016: Lauren Tybor, Bartram Trail

2015: Emma Dotsikas, Ponte Vedra

2014: Abby Walker/Emma Dotsikas, Ponte Vedra

2013: Abby Walker, Ponte Vedra

2012: Melissa Coggins, Bartram Trail

2011: Taylor McCord, Bartram Trail

All-County Schedule

Saturday: Girls Lacrosse, Sarah Thomasson, Ponte Vedra

Sunday: Boys Lacrosse

Monday: Boys Weightlifting

Tuesday: Girls Tennis

Wednesday: Boys Tennis

Thursday: Girls Track and Field

Friday: Boys Track and Field

Saturday, June 23: Softball

Sunday, June 24: Baseball