Southwest Orange Observer: Sports Spotlight — Taylor Swartz

A three-year member of the Windermere High School girls lacrosse team, Taylor Swartz has seen a lot of action in the midfield. She’s one of the leading scorers on the team, and her play has landed her a scholarship to attend Palm Beach Atlantic University.

How did you get into lacrosse?

I actually got introduced to lacrosse because I was playing basketball with some girls, and we all decided to try lacrosse together — we had been multi-sport athletes and we just wanted to try something new. So I ended up taking a chance on it and went to the first practice and I loved it — it was so much fun and I just kind of stuck with it.

What is it about lacrosse that you enjoy so much?

I think just the versatility of the game. There are so many different aspects to it — you have to be fast, you have to be agile, you have to be smart. Lacrosse is not a game for people who just kind of want to throw the ball, you have to think ahead and you’re kind of planning what’s going to happen down the field. The constant desire to keep climbing and keep winning and keep getting as many groundballs, draw controls, goals … and stats as possible that will help us be successful has kept me entertained.

What is your favorite thing about playing lacrosse at Windermere?

I think having the opportunity to build a program and kind of start the fundamentals of it are so cool to witness and be a part of. To be able to build something up and be successful. We’ve been really successful and we have made it to districts all three years as a starting program — that is amazing to be a part of. And also help other girls learn how to play lacrosse and grow the game is really what has been exciting for me and what I love about lacrosse at Windermere.

What is the most challenging part about playing midfield? What do you like the most?

I want to say it is probably having to be everywhere on the field, because of the position itself — you have to be able to run, you have to be able to play attack, you have to be able to play defense. So that’s definitely difficult to have to play all three parts and to have to be a part of the plays that do happen, but the part that I like the most is exactly that. I love being able to be a part of every play that I can, and I love the versatility of it.

Coming into your senior season, did you have any goals you were hoping to accomplish?

I’ve always wanted to win districts, especially (since) it’s my last year of high school. For me personally, I’m going to college next year for lacrosse, and I just want to be able to have fun this year and really enjoy every moment and prepare for what is to come the next four years.

How are you feeling about graduating and playing at the collegiate level?

I’m obviously sad to leave the friends that I do have here and the relationships that I have built here, but I am more than ready and so excited to move forward into the next phase of life with new relationships.