Katy Gilbert may never have played a game for the Deerfield Academy girls lacrosse team, but the school still made a lasting impact on her.
The Oregon native came to Franklin County for a postgraduate year, looking to shore up her collegiate lacrosse plans. But after playing on the soccer and basketball teams leading into her primary sport this spring, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the Big Green from any time on the field.
It’s a strange part of Gilbert’s story, but she’s made the best of it. Despite the cancellation of the 2020 campaign, Gilbert managed to sign on the dotted line when the Big Green held their National Letter of Intent Signing Day event last month. She will play Division I lacrosse at Stanford.
“Despite it being cut short, I am so thankful for my Deerfield experience,” Gilbert said. “Deerfield is a really special place. I never thought I could meet so many welcoming, interesting, kind and thoughtful people in one community. I learned how to engage in a brand new community and invest in new relationships. In my first few days on campus, it was overwhelming and a lot to take in, but everyone on campus tries to make the transition as smooth as possible for all new students.”
Gilbert’s path to Stanford began in New Hampshire. She had originally committed to play at Dartmouth as a senior at Lake Oswego High School in Oregon, but Dartmouth head coach Danielle Spencer took the head job at Stanford at the end of the 2019 season.
With Spencer heading to Stanford, she and Gilbert touched base again.
“Danielle reached out to me after she settled in and had a chance to speak to the Admissions Office and asked if attending Stanford was something I actually wanted to pursue,” Gilbert said. “I immediately said ‘yes’ and she asked me to send all of my academic records to admissions.”
Gilbert was qualified, but in order to be admitted to the school, she said she was told to maintain an 89 average during her time at Deerfield Academy. She had already decided to do a postgraduate year at DA, and had planned to join the college ranks in the fall of 2020.
“I was nervous, especially because I heard from many Deerfield students that (an 89 average) is no easy task, but I went for it,” Gilbert said. “There is no better feeling than fully committing yourself to achieving something and succeeding. When I got my acceptance letters from both Dartmouth and Stanford, it was surreal.”
She ultimately chose Stanford, staying closer to home on the West Coast for her future academic and athletic endeavors, to join Spencer in the Pac-12. The Cardinal were 3-4 during seven games this spring before the rest of the slate was wiped out.
“I truly felt like I could not make a wrong decision and I am so thankful for the opportunity that lies ahead,” she said.
As for her time at DA, Gilbert said not being able to play lacrosse this spring was a difficult blow.
“Missing out on spring term and lacrosse season at Deerfield has been really hard,” she said. “I was so looking forward to enjoying the best time of year with a really special and talented group of girls.”
She has stayed active in the sport despite the down time, getting out with older sister Lauren, who plays lacrosse at Division I powerhouse Northwestern. The two have spent plenty of time keeping their skills sharp over the past month.
“We go to the field together a couple times a week and there is no better way for me to improve than learning from and playing with her,” Gilbert said. “She is arguably one of the best players in the country and I am so lucky to have her as my role model.”
While her time on campus at DA is now behind her, Gilbert said her stint in Old Deerfield was a ringing success.
“In just two terms, I can honestly say that I made some lifelong friendships and Deerfield became a place that will always bring me a sense of comfort and home,” she said.
Former Deerfield Academy hockey standout Michael Holland announced his commitment to play at Division I Miami (Ohio).
Holland was a four-year player for the Big Green, and was a captain his senior year (2018-19). He spent this past season playing for the Boston Jr. Bruins, scoring nine goals and 11 assists.
The 6-foot, 180-pound forward from Charlotte scored 19 goals his senior year at DA.
Miami is a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), along with hockey heavyweights Denver, Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota. The Redhawks reached the Frozen Four in 2009 and 2010.