Better together: Delaware duo Clark and Jones bringing lacrosse skills to Syracuse
DOVER, Del. (BVM) — Junior lacrosse players Chloe Jones and Superia Clark have been attached from the hip for a while. Best friends off the field, Jones and Clark share practically everything when it comes to their successes on the field, playing with each other since seventh grade and both playing for Maryland-based club team Eastern Shore Lacrosse Club since their eighth-grade year.
“She’s the closest friend I have,” Clark said. “We’re always with each other. We’re like sisters. … Of course we’re friends, but it’s also fun to share loving lacrosse.”
Although both played against each other their first two years of high school, with Jones playing at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington and Clark playing at Dover High School in Dover, the two won’t be separated for much longer.
On Sept. 21, the right-handed midfielder Clark verbally committed to the Syracuse lacrosse program. This gave the Orange their fourth commitment in the Class of 2022.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFaqUXFjrhw/
Less than a week later on Sept. 27, Jones followed her best friend by also verbally committing to the Orange. The defensive midfielder became the program’s fifth Class of 2022 commit with her announcement.
First I would like to thank Ohio State, UVA, Delaware State, Temple, Brown and Fresno State for considering me to play at your esteemed universities. I am honored to officially announce my commitment to Syracuse University. This is truly a dream come true @CuseWLAX🍊 pic.twitter.com/N28EZX6d7i
— Chloe B. Jones (@ChloeBJones1) September 27, 2020
As far back as eighth grade, the pair discussed the possibility of joining Syracuse’s program, seeing it as little more than a pipe dream. However, when both received their offers on Sept. 1, it was a dream come true.
“We couldn’t believe it that they emailed both of us,” Clark said. “I felt like they were the one that was really meant for us.”
Though it wasn’t a race to see who could commit to the program first, Clark felt comfortable enough to make the decision before her friend to make sure she could grab her spot on the team.
“Slots were filling quick and I was like, ‘I’m not going to wait around for other ones’ because I knew that Syracuse acted like they wanted me most,” Clark said. “Chloe was still hearing out other colleges. She wanted to hear what everyone had to say first. She knew what she ended up wanting, which was Syracuse, but she wanted to listen to what everyone else had to say.”
Ursuline Academy lacrosse head coach Feffie Barnhill, a former collegiate lacrosse coach at William & Mary and a member of the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame among other national and international roles, had a major influence on the girls’ collegiate prospects. Having been on the other side of the recruiting desk, Barnhill knew how to not only get the girls connected with programs, but also knew what teams would be looking for in future players. With that knowledge, Barnhill, who coached both girls as a part of her travel team, knew that the two would fit well with the Syracuse lacrosse program and head coach Gary Gait, whom Barnhill had met on a number of occasions working the international lacrosse circuit.
“He loves to play a pressure out defense and these girls are going to excel at that,” Barnhill said. “That’s his style of coaching and it meshes well with what these girls have.”
Clark’s head coach at Dover High School, Molly Phillips, agrees with that assessment.
“Superia is super fast and has the ability to take over a game,” Phillips said. “Superia is super athletic and has a great deal of potential. Most importantly, she is coachable. She is always working on skills to become a better player.”
Though neither was able to play their Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association spring seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that didn’t slow down either this summer. In fact, while the two worked hard on the field with their Eastern Shore Lacrosse Club, they also worked with Barnhill to improve their interactions with universities and coaches since they wouldn’t be able to officially visit the campuses due to safety protocols. One of these situations was getting the girls to participate in the Lacrosse Master Showcase where college programs, including Syracuse, could see the girls actually play the game in real time.
“That’s where Gary and their staff saw [Chloe] and Superia playing live on that field and saw what athletic abilities they had,” Barnhill said. “They more than carried their weight and in most cases they were a year younger than those playing. They came up with loose balls, went for interceptions so that one platform in particular was the key.”
Clark agreed that the clinic helped to put her name out there and accelerate her recruitment process.
“I got exposed there I would say,” Clark said. “That’s when I was seeing my first DI offers and reach outs and things like that.”
Both girls will be expected to add to an already loaded Syracuse program. The Orange haven’t missed an NCAA Tournament since 2011 and finished the COVID-shortened 2020 season as No. 14 in the country with a 7-1 record. The year prior, the team climbed as high as No. 4 in the country.
Clark knows how important it will be to have her best friend with her at the university. With the two together, they will not only be able to support each other, but also push each other
“We were trying to plan to go to college together because it’s a big step from high school to college especially transitioning in a sport,” Clark said. “It is really comforting to have her there through the process and know I’m going to be with her in college. … We’re always good at having healthy competition and I want us to push each other while we’re there. I think a little friendly competition will really help us grow and get better.”
Clark is ready for any challenge that is ahead.
“I just know I have a lot of expectations to meet and big shoes to fill, but I think I will be able to do it,” Clark said. “I’m really up to the challenge. I love challenges especially when they’re given to me by Syracuse.”
With Orange faithful already dreaming of the possibilities this Delaware duo can bring to their already talented team, fans will have to wait until the two finish their time causing havoc for both their DIAA and Eastern Shore Lacrosse Club opponents. One thing is certain, Chloe and Superia will bring their strong bond and long-built chemistry with them to campus at Syracuse in the near future, which should make for a fun experience for the Orange and their future plans.
