For the past two years, Megan Kinna feels like she’s been running non-stop. Between her time representing B.C. in both box and field lacrosse, the 15-year-old Maple Ridge standout has been busy balancing her commitment to athletics and her school work.
With two box lacrosse national titles and a field lacrosse championship on her resume in the past two years, coupled with her honour roll standing at Samuel Robertson Technical School, Kinna can take a moment to catch her breath after committing to one of the NCAA’s topDdivision 1 field lacrosse programs.
The Grade 10 student will suit up for Northwestern University in Chicago, Ill. after she graduates in the summer of 2016.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity,” said Kinna. “Northwestern was on the top of my list. They have an excellent program and a great coach.”
Kinna will be playing under head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, the sister of former NHLer Tony Amonte. However, the head coach’s record speaks for itself. She has guided the Wildcats to seven national lacrosse titles to go with the two national titles she won as a player.
Kinna said she also considered Syracuse, Ohio State, Duke, Denver, and Canisius, but said she felt the Wildcats weres her best option to develop as a player. Before heads to Chicago, Kinna said she hopes to accomplish more on the national stage.
“I’m really hoping I can make the Canadian national team heading to Scotland for the world championships in 2015,” said Kinna.
Kinna started playing box lacrosse on boys’ teams at the age of four and said she owes a deep debt of gratitude to local coaches.
“They took a chance and taught me how to play big and tough in boys’ lacrosse,” she said.
It wasn’t until her teens that she made the switch over to playing strictly against girls. She also makes she she’s giving back to the sport that she says has given her so much, by refereeing.
Kinna said she also appreciates her Team B.C. coaches for teaching her how to prepare for competition at the National Level. She said it’s been one of the key areas in her development that has made securing a scholarship possible.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere without the help of Dan Stroup, Derek Milani, Pat Coyle, Naomi Walser, and Rey Comeault,” she said.