Bearing Down on a Title

Christena Burell couldn't watch. While Sacred Heart Academy's field hockey players celebrated with their families and friends on the Trager Stadium turf last October 24th, Burell turned her back to the commotion, faced the fence behind Kentucky Country Day's bench and stood alone in her misery. "It wasn't a good night," she recalls. Yes, Burell knows that she and her teammates are not the first athletes to lose a championship game. But how many others have lost four in less than 18 months? Consider this: * In the Kentucky Lacrosse Association High School Girls' Division 1 final on May 19, 2006, KCD lost to Manual 22-14. * In the Kentucky high school field hockey final on October 26, 2006, KCD lost to Sacred Heart 3-1. * In the Kentucky Lacrosse Association High School Girls' Division 1 final on May 17, 2007, KCD lost to Collegiate 8-6. * And in the Kentucky high school field hockey final on Oct. 24, 2007, KCD lost to Sacred Heart 4-1. Burell and fellow seniors Maggie Flowers and Gray Robinson played in each of those games. "They're the heartbreak kids," says Patrick McAnulty, KCD's head lacrosse coach and assistant field hockey coach. "It's not like you can get used to second place," Burell says. "And I don't like it. I want first." It sounds like KCD has a serious case of senior urgency. And if nothing else, that will make the Bearcats competitive during the upcoming lacrosse season. "This is our last chance," Robinson says. But KCD, which did not lose to a Kentucky team until the final and outscored Division 1 foes 140-55 last year, still has more than a fair share of talent. In fact, their roster is nearly intact from a year ago, with only two regular contributors gone, and McAnulty is almost giddy about it. "This will be the most athletic and skilled team in KCD history," he says. "We have an abundance of speed, skill, experience and hunger and no glaring weaknesses. At the same time, we are well aware that champions are not crowned on paper, but rather through hard work, passion, and dedication to teamwork and defense. We know we have a target on our backs, and we are eager to get the season started." Senior attacker Hayley Grant, who has scored 119 goals over the last two years; Burell, a midfielder who ranked second on the team with 36 goals last season; and Robinson, a defender, each have been voted to the All-State Team at least twice. Michelle Worthington, who had 26 goals and 39 assists last season, is one of eight sophomores who played extensively as freshmen. And Casey Bariteau, who made a late-season impact as an eighth-grader, leads another strong freshman class. "They're going to be phenomenal," Mercy co-coach Mark Stovall says. "They are. We know it. And they're still a young team, which is what's amazing." He's referring to the returning sophomores Lauren Adams, Laura Campbell, Angelique Ciliberti, Jessica Crawford, Ellen Esterhay, Emory Goins, Mimi Magruder and Worthington, who could fill half of KCD's starting lineup. Adams, Campbell, Esterhay and Worthington also play for the internationally-stocked XTeam, and they competed in the Sand Storm tournament in Palm Springs, California in January. "They love lacrosse," junior Kelly Beam says of her teammates. "They're really dedicated to it, and it shows on the field." KCD's only question mark is in goal, where Beam and Campbell split time last season. Beam tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee while playing field hockey last September, but she expected to be cleared to return to action on March 6. "I can't wait," Beam says. That seems to be the prevailing sentiment among her teammates. They can't wait for the season to begin. Adams even had a countdown to last month's tryouts on her Mac's desktop. "I've been looking forward to this since last year," Burell says.