By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/12/09

Cheltenham senior midfielder Charlotte Swavola has signed a letter of intent to play next year at Temple University.

Swavola, a first-team All-Suburban One American Conference pick last season, said she chose Temple based on the campus, the school’s pre-med program and Owls coach Bonnie Rosen.

“Coach Rosen is an amazing coach,” Swavola said of the recent Eastern Pennsylvania Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee. “Everyone was expecting me to go to California instead of Philadelphia.

“But coach Rosen took me around the campus and my parents and I fell in love with it. They have a great honors program and a supportive environment; that’s exactly what I need.”

Swavola – who was named as a National Merit finalist – was recently accepted into Temple’s pre-health scholar’s program, which links to the honors program. She hopes to go to eventually go to medical school and become a general surgeon.

Svavola is one of four Philly seniors to sign with Temple. The list also includes Interboro’s Steph Parcell, Chichester Kellee Pace and Perkiomen Valley’s Antonia Falcone.

For now, Swavola is anxious to help Cheltenham contend for an American Conference title.

“We usually have little indicators at beginning of the year and lately we’ve been doing great,” she said. “I believe incredibly in the team. This is one of the closest teams at the school.”

Swavola credited Cheltenham coach Dave Burton as a strong role model.

“Mr. Burton is a great coach,” she said. “He and Bonnie Rosen are complete coaches. They coach you in lacrosse and they coach you in being a good person.”

Tags: Cheltenham, Temple