By Jimmy Allinder
Courtney Frycz is president of her senior class at Monroe Township High School, a near straight-A student and member of the school’s class council, Poetry Club and Future Business Leaders of America.
Somehow, she is still able to play for the Falcons’ lacrosse team, which to her is more than just an extracurricular activity. The sport demands physicality and stamina and is not for the faint of heart, which matched Frycz perfectly.
She was always an active youngster and danced, among other things, to expend some of her energy. But when neighbors Kara Turco, a current member of the Falcons, and Rachel Gentile encouraged Frycz to play lacrosse, she accepted their challenge, especially when she learned the sport is fast-paced, which is just what she likes.
“The township started a lacrosse program, and I was a beginner like everybody else,” she said. “As a result, I was never intimidated.”
She became more than a casual player and continued to improve so that by the time she entered middle school, her skills had markedly improved. Her development continued by playing club lacrosse, so that when Frycz entered high school, she made the varsity team and contributed immediately.
Frycz finished her freshman season by scoring a career-high 19 goals, assisting on nine more, with 35 ground balls. She followed that year with 13 goals, three assists and 35 ground balls. This past spring, Frycz scored 18 goals, assisted on 11 and had 31 ground balls, and she in no small way helped Monroe to a 14-7 record, including the Falcons’ first appearance in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) title game, which was won by North Brunswick Township High School, 21-12.
Because of her 3.8 grade-point average, Frycz hopes to enroll at a quality school when she graduates and also play lacrosse.
“Academics are very important and will always be my top priority,” she said. “Right now, I’m looking at [NCAA] Division III schools, but I could end up elsewhere. The colleges I’m most interested in are Drew University, Gettysburg College, Smith College and Susquehanna University.”
During the offseason, Frycz augments high school lacrosse by playing for the Shore Black T3 2017 club team in the fall in Manasquan, which travels to tournament competitions.
Looking to expand her athletic experiences, Frycz accepted an opportunity to work this fall to study athletic training under Nate Cogdill, who has overseen the specialty at the high school and has taught health and physical education since he joined the district in 2002.
Frycz says she is close to her family, especially older brother, Johnny, who played soccer, and sister, Carly Wessler, who is a competitive cheerleader.
“Johnny was very sports-oriented, and I think that rubbed off on me,” Frycz said. “Carly was always limber, and I tried to emulate her by staying in shape so I wouldn’t get injured.”
Frycz tries to have a clear mind when she steps onto the field.
“Like many athletes, I try to erase everything from my mind except what I can do to help my team,” she said. “I won’t be able to think clearly about the next move if I have other thoughts swirling through my mind.”
With her years of experience, Frycz has learned the importance of putting team before personal goals.
“I now understand what’s best for my team. An assist is just as valuable as a goal because I’ve contributed to scoring a point.”
Frycz knows lacrosse is a game with a lot of twists and turns and much can happen during the course of a match. She also understands it will be important for her to be a leader next season by keeping teammates positive, no matter the score.
“I am fortunate to have discovered lacrosse, and I hope everyone can get the same feeling I get when I’m on the pitch, whatever their passion,” she said.