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Abington 2024 DEF Penderghest named Pansini Memorial Scholar-Athlete of the Week

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By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/6/24

Abington 2024 defenseman Connor Penderghest has been named the Michael Pansini Memorial Scholar-Athlete of the Week.

The award recognizes senior and junior lacrosse players who excel in academics, service, and athletics.

Connor Penderghest Profile:

Connor Penderghest
High School: Abington
Grad Year: 2024
Position: Defenseman
College Commitment: McDaniel College
Club team: Bucks Select/True Philly
Expected College Major: Political Science
Honors

Academic Accomplishments:
4.0 GPA with over 7 AP classes taken in addition to all Honors classes
National Honor Society member
Will be attending McDaniel Honors College in addition to playing lacrosse and plans to major in political science/pre-law

Service/Extracurriculars:
4 time award winner (9th – 12th) Abington Service Award
Volunteer Athletes Helping Athletes
Minithon Captain
Volunteer Coach Abington Youth Football Camp
Volunteer Abington Youth Lacrosse Clinic
Certified Junior PIAA Lacrosse Referee
Election Poll Worker
Varsity A Club Member

Athletic Accomplishments:
4 year Varsity member Abington Senior High Football; Captain – 12th
4 year Varsity member Abington Senior High Lacrosse; Captain – 11th & 12th
Courier Times 100 Best Area Football Players – 11th
Suburban One All League Honorable Mention, Lacrosse – 10th
Suburban One All League 2nd Team, Lacrosse – 11th
Abington High School Varsity Lacrosse Team MVP Defender
Bucks Select Club Lacrosse Player

Honoree Questions:

How do you define leadership? “I define leadership as making everyone around me better on and off the field. I think the best leaders elevate everyone else to a different level and bring the best out of them, so that is what I try to do too.”

How do you balance academics, service, and athletics? “I balance academics, service and my athletics by finding joy in whatever I’m doing. Every athlete finds joy in their sport, but by finding joyful or rewarding opportunities in education and services, I can stay motivated and balance everything.”

What are your future goals (college and/or professional)? “I’m majoring in political science but I’m on a pre law track so I hope to go to law school after I graduate and pursue a career being a lawyer. I am going to McDaniel College and playing lacrosse, too, which I’m super excited about. I love the situation I’m entering and I think Coach (T.C.) DiBartolo is one of the best college coaches in the country. I feel like I could come in my freshman year and make a huge difference and help the team win a Centennial Conference championship.”

Assistant Coach Jaime Farrington’s comments: “Connor is an exceptional young man who is an asset to his team, school and community. Connor has been a varsity football and lacrosse player since his freshman year, serving as captain for lacrosse both junior and senior year and football captain senior year. Over the course of those 4 years Connor has overcome two serious injuries and surgeries to continue to be a dominant player, all while being a leader to his teammates, thriving in the classroom, and a role model for younger players. Connor is a model of what it means to be a student athlete committed to their community. He consistently demonstrates kindness and caring to all those around him. Currently, he is one of the only veteran senior players on the lacrosse team, so the majority of this season during games, Connor has not only been taking care of his own responsibilities on the field, but actively teaching, coaching, and encouraging his fellow underclass teammates. Off the field Connor is known for helping classmates and regularly assists with special needs students during gym class. ”

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 Michael Pansini Memorial Scholar-Athlete of the Week by e-mailing us at golax@phillylacrosse.com.