Cardinal O’Hara 2023 midfielder Claire Natoli has been named the Pansini Law Group Girls’ Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
The award recognizes senior and junior lacrosse players that excel in academics, service, and athletics.
Claire Natoli Profile:
High School: Cardinal O’Hara
Grad Year: 2023
Position: Midfield
College Commitment: The University of South Florida (will redshirt next year; new D1 program begins in 2025)
Club Team: Dynasty Elite
Expected College Major: Marketing
Service:
-Supporting US troops by collecting personal hygiene items and reminders of home (Girl Scout cookies) and sending to different countries
-Active in breast cancer and glioblastoma fundraising
-Assisted in starting a middle school program in Central Bucks by helping run volunteer clinics
-Volunteer training for youth players
Academic Honors:
National Honor Society (junior and senior year)
Graduating in the top 10% of her class
High Honors every semester/quarter of high school
Principals Award
Presidents Award
Lamp of Learning Award
Kindness Ambassador
Athletic Achievements:
2023 USA Lacrosse All-American
Two Time MVP of The Philadelphia Catholic League (2022 and 2023)
All PASLA MVP team (2022 and 2023)
All Delco First team (2022)
All Phillylacrosse second team honors (2022)
All Catholic first Team (2022 and 2023)
PASLA All-Academic 2022
Honoree Questions:
How do you define leadership? “A leader is someone who brings the energy and enthusiasm to their team, but also brings the drive and focus. Leadership includes uplifting your teammates and helping them get better while also holding them accountable. Leadership means setting a good example and always putting 110% into the team. A leader is the person who is early to practice, the last one to leave, and the first one to say yes to getting extra work in.”
How do you balance academics, service, and athletics? “I believe balancing a busy schedule of academics, service, and athletics can be made easy when you have an inherent determination to succeed as well as a good support system. I am lucky to have a family and an amazing coaching staff, both in club and in college, that support me not just as an athlete but as a whole person.”
What are your future goals? “One of my future goals is to build a legacy at USF as well as to have USF make an immediate impact in the AAC and contend in post season play making it a top 20 program during my time there. Another goal of mine is to grow the sport of lacrosse and help share how much the sport has impacted my life with others. I hope to spend time coaching in the future and stay involved in the lacrosse world even after college.”
High school coaches from the 5-county area, Delaware, South Jersey, the Lehigh Valley and Central PA may nominate a player (junior or senior) for the Pansini Law Group Scholar-Athlete of the Week by e-mailing us at golax@phillylacrosse.com. Nominations are closed for 2023, but will be accepted again beginning in February of 2024. Each honoree receives a scholarship cash award from Pansini Law Group.
