Middletown HS senior athletes sign on with colleges
MIDDLETOWN, Md. — Middletown High School senior athletes have been practicing and preparing for this moment. They share their story of acceptance into college and the sports they will play.
“I have been playing lacrosse since I was in second grade,” said Mackenzie Alcorn. “I have always wanted to play in college, but if I really had to pick a motivation, it would be that lacrosse is something I have always used to get away from life; it is stress-relieving for me.”
Alcorn will be attending Lebanon Valley College. “I was scouted while playing over the summer all over the East Coast. The games played on these weekends would go to different websites, and colleges could watch them and then reach out if they were interested.”
In addition to playing lacrosse, Alcorn will be majoring in Secondary Teaching in General Science; she hopes to teach high school biology one day.
Another lacrosse player from MHS, Clara Stamper, will also play in college at Millersville University.
She said, “I’ve been playing lacrosse since third grade. I’ve practically always played lacrosse, and I really love the sport, so I couldn’t imagine not playing after high school. I also do better academically when my schedule is busy, and lacrosse is the perfect way to stay active.”
“I started playing lacrosse on a club team year-round in 2017, and in 2020, I started athletic training with Jess Racz, with whom I worked on agility, strength, and injury prevention. I lift at the gym and at school. Several times since starting club lacrosse, I’ve done private sessions with my coaches to work on different aspects.”
Stamper will be studying meteorology; she hopes to study either the atmosphere of exoplanets or extreme atmospheric events. “I took an FCC dual enrollment class called Intro to Earth Systems Science, and that really sparked my interest in earth sciences. I’ve always enjoyed learning about how the earth works, but I’ve never extensively studied it before. I enjoyed the meteorology section of that class, and I noticed Millersville had meteorology as a major, so it was perfect.”
Finally, Madisyn Ledder has an inspiring story, having overcome bone cancer.
“I’ve been playing soccer since I was three years old. I wanted to continue playing soccer in college, because I’ve always been really good at it, and it’s always been a big part of my life. My dad always told my brothers and me, ‘Don’t waste your talents.’ I also had a medical diagnosis, Ewing Sarcoma, bone cancer in my left pelvic, in my freshman year, and relapsed my senior year to where I was not physically able to play for the Middletown girls soccer team. During those times, that’s when I wanted to play the most, and I want to continue playing because I put all of my hard work into recovering to be able to play again,” Ledder said.
Ledder will be attending Frostburg University. She will be majoring in health science to become a physical therapist, as PT has impacted her soccer career so much in her recovery.
“I want to be a physical therapist so I can help other pediatric cancer athletic patients go back to the sport they love to play, the same way my physical therapists have done for me. I want to be living proof and inspire others that with determination and dedication, you can do anything you put your mind to.”
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