Caroline Hartgers has and continues to have an influential impact both on and off Ramapo’s turf field, serving as a crucial part of the Girls Lacrosse team’s success and mentality. Throughout her four years as a varsity player, she has demonstrated a list of qualities that make up a great player: dedication, teamwork, kindness, and talent.
Caroline began playing lacrosse when she was only in third grade. Picking up the stick for the first time with the Franklin Lakes Rec lacrosse program, her love for the sport only grew. Not long after, she joined a club called X-treme, and a few years later switched to Metro Magic, where she practiced the fundamentals of lacrosse year-round. They would travel up and down the East Coast and compete against top-ranked players and teams, only pushing her to continue to improve and develop her skills as the competition did the same. “Being on these club teams taught me about the sport and made me want to take it more seriously,” Caroline comments.
Playing for Ramapo’s team was no less of a challenge for her, but she took it straight on and used it to her advantage. At the end of her junior year alone, she had 8 goals, 10 assists, 18 points, 26 ground balls, and 123 draw controls (NJ.com). We expect nothing less of her this year, and we can guarantee that she will end her last season on the Ramapo team with a bang!
Nonetheless, Ramapo has been a time for her that she will never forget: “I have been able to play my favorite sport with my best friends while competing at a high level. During my four years playing at Ramapo, I learned so much about teamwork, determination, work ethic, and team spirit. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Ramapo Girls Lacrosse team.”
The other players on the team think no less of Caroline in terms of both her talent and her character. “Caroline brings an unbridled positivity to our team and always pushes us to be our best with her competitive spirit,” says Kirsten Seyffer, junior at Ramapo and teammate of Caroline’s. “She deeply cares about everyone on the team, going out of her way to cheer on everyone and make sure they’re doing alright. She is one of the hardest-working people I know, and I greatly admire her work ethic.”
Caroline is going to continue her academic and athletic career at Rollins College. No matter what path she takes, it is undeniable that she will excel in everything she does–and she will leave a lasting legacy on Ramapo’s lacrosse program. We wish you the best of luck, Caroline!
