By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/9/10
Hill School junior attack Callie Farncis has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Duke University.
Francis, of Ponte Vedra, Fla., has collected 50 goals and 20 assists this year for the Blues, who are 10-4. Francis was a first-team All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League pick last year and plays club lacrosse for XTeam.
Francis also considered Northwestern, Boston University, Columbia and Colgate.
“I chose Duke because I loved the overall atmosphere, and everything about it,” she said. “I felt so welcomed on my visits by the players and coaches. They were all so helpful and their team unity and team spirit really stood out to me. I have not decided what I plan to study, but political science interests me.”
Francis continues a connection between Duke and Hill School. At Duke, Francis will join 2009 Hill grad Sarah Kendrick. Also, Hill coach Lindsay Mulhern is the sister of Duke coach Kerstin Kimel (Haverford High grad).
“When I visited Duke, I stayed with Sarah and saw firsthand how much she loved it, which I definitely took into consideration,” Francis said.
Francis has a strong academic background. She is a member of the high honor roll and is President of Operation Smile, as well as a member of the Dream Team school activities committee.
She played in the 2009 National Tournament for Philly 3 and also plays field hockey and indoor track at The Hill. She was league champion in the 400 meters and was fifth in the state meet in the race with a time of 57.5 seconds.
