Friday, April 2, 2021

Windham seniors Gant, Yale commit to college athletic programs

From left are Central Maine Community College
soccer coach Rob Rodriguez, Windham senior Madi
Gant, Windham varsity girls' soccer coach Deb Lebel,
and Windham varsity girls' soccer assistant coach
Chris Aube. Gant signed a letter of intent to play
soccer for CMCC and major in nursing.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  
By Matt Pascarella

Windham seniors Madi Gant and Emma Yale signed letters of intent at Windham High School on March 26 and will take their athletic careers to the next level.

Gant will attend Central Maine Community College to play soccer and major in nursing, while Yale will attend Tufts University to play lacrosse and major in architecture.

Madi Gant

Gant said that she chose CMCC because of its friendly atmosphere and the fact that she didn’t feel lost while on campus. For Gant, it was the perfect fit to play a sport she loves while pursuing her degree in nursing.

Gant has been playing soccer since preschool and cannot remember a time when she wasn’t playing. She transferred to Windham High School from Greater Portland Christian School this year and seamlessly fit into the varsity soccer team. Gant has a passion for the game and feels like herself when she’s on the field.

"I’ve pushed myself a lot,” said Gant. I’ve known what my weaknesses are and I’ve ... worked harder and harder.” Gant has put 110 percent into everything she has done during practices and on the field.

Windham varsity girls’ head soccer coach Deb Lebel said Gant had a fantastic attitude and would play wherever she was needed any day.

“She has a rocket of a shot, but also knew the importance of keeping opponents out of the box on defense. She has a great work ethic and I'm sure is destined for great things in the future,” said Lebel.

Gant said it felt really good to sign the letter of intent. It felt like all her hard work has finally paid off.Gant would like to thank her parents and Rich Penny, her first soccer coach, who taught her a lot about the game and how to be a smart player.

From left, Robert Yale, Windham senior Emma Yale,
Evan Yale and Danielle Yale are shown. On Friday
March 26, Emma Yale signed a letter of intent at
Windham High School to play lacrosse at Tufts
University and major in architecture.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA
Emma Yale

When Yale was looking at colleges, she said that she wanted to be challenged academically and athletically. Tufts met those needs and the university’s lacrosse team is a national championship contender, which fit nicely with Yale who has been playing lacrosse since third grade.

Along with playing at the high school level for four years, Yale has been involved with Maineiax, a premier boys and girls lacrosse club in Maine since the eighth grade. Maineiax named Yale the top lacrosse player in Maine for 2020 and 2021.

“I was constantly putting myself outside of my comfort zone, and ... really elevated my game,” said Yale. 

Windham girls’ varsity lacrosse coach Matt Perkins said the two major things that really impress him about Yale are her kindness to everyone and her work ethic. In all Perkins’ years of coaching, he has never seen someone put in the work ethic and time Yale has. Her drive is unmatched.

“(Yale) is the total package; she’s a wonderful person and I’m excited to see her go to Tufts.” said Maineiax owner and coach Lauren Reid Kane.

Yale said it was really cool to have everyone that’s been a part of her journey at the intent signing; she felt so much support.

Yale would like to thank her coaches for everything they’ve done and continue to do. She is also very thankful to her family who are her biggest supporters; she said she is very lucky and grateful for everything they have done for her. <

No comments:

Post a Comment