Female Scholar-Athlete: Germantown Academy’s Asplundh is exploring all her possibilities

By Bridget Algeo
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/24/08

Come September, a fresh new breeze will be blowing into the Windy City.

By name, she is Germantown Academy’s senior defensive standout Stephanie Asplundh, who, after an impressive career as a scholar-athlete, will be heading to the outskirts of Chicago to attend Northwestern University in the fall of 2008.

While Asplundh won’t be joining Northwestern’s perennial Division I powerhouse lacrosse squad, she will be exploring a variety of possible studies and future career options once she steps onto campus.

“I want to take full advantage,” said the Laxzilla/Phillylacrosse.com Female Student-Athlete of the Week, who found the university’s diverse setting a perfect place to undertake new interests.

In Asplundh, Northwestern will be gaining a versatile individual whose athletics interests range from lacrosse to tennis to hockey and whose academic course load includes a combination of six honors and advanced placement classes.

Besides being a three-year starter for the lacrosse team and a member of the Cum Laude Society, Asplundh earned several academic honors. As a junior, she was named both a lacrosse Academic All-American and a National Merit Scholar.

One award she was particularly proud of receiving was the Drexel Book Award, which is given to a junior with a rigorous academic schedule who demonstrates high integrity and who is respected both by her peers and teachers.

That respect is likely earned by Asplundh’s willingness to venture unexplored territory, a quality strongly encouraged by her older cousin, Madeleine.

One place Asplundh has taken the time to visit is Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she has enjoyed being a volunteer, playing and interacting with the children there.

Another place she has found fulfillment is the lacrosse field, where her Patriots, despite a midseason rough spell, managed to finish with a 12-8 record, winning the last of their five games.

In spite of a rewarding experience with her teammates, Asplundh won’t continue a competitive lacrosse career in Chicago. That doesn’t mean she’s won’t be keeping the athletic flame burning.

True to form, Asplundh keeps her options open.

“I might try floor hockey,” she said. “Maybe even ice hockey.”