Kindness, teamwork drive Windham High lacrosse star’s success

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s Isabelle Babb is a kind, encouraging player who leads by example on the lacrosse field. Along with being selfless, Babb has been playing lacrosse for most of her life and continues to work hard to improve at it.

Windham senior Isabelle Babb signs a letter of intent to play
Division III lacrosse for Johnson & Wales University in 
Rhode Island next year during a ceremony at Windham High
School on Monday, March 21. Her parents, Megan and Rusty,
were also on hand to watch her commit to a college program. 
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Babb signed a letter of intent at Windham High School on Monday, March 21 to play Division III lacrosse for Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island next year.

She will bring a strong work ethic to Johnson & Wales and will work hard to get where she wants to be, athletically and academically. She plans to major in psychology with a minor in criminal justice.

"It felt pretty good, [to sign her letter of intent,]” said Babb. “I’ve been wanting to do so since my brother did it, so he’s really helped me. He inspired me to be a scholar athlete and continue to play sports in college.”

When she first visited Johnson & Wales and met with the lacrosse coach there, she felt like it was where she belonged and she could see herself there, even if she wasn’t playing lacrosse.

"She’s always supportive and always encouraging everyone,” said teammate and Windham senior Kayla Flanders.

Flanders said that Babb is supportive not only during games but in practices, too and that Babb is always there for her teammates.

Babb’s older brother, Matty Babb, played lacrosse, too. When Isabelle was younger, Matty was a role model for her and motivated her to also play lacrosse.

When Isabelle was in the eighth grade, she began playing with Maineiax, a premiere boys and girls lacrosse club for grades 2 through 12 in Maine. She has played for Maineiax year-round which has helped her to improve in her athletic career.

“She’s going to bring a lot to the team and the locker room as someone who works hard and somebody’s whose so kind to others,” said Windham girls’ varsity lacrosse coach Matt Perkins. “She is just one of the most positive people I’ve ever met and it’s going to be so good for that team and that program.”

Perkins also said Babb is a great role model for the younger players. If you want to show a younger player how they’re supposed to act or what is expected of them, Isabelle is a great example.

Babb said that Coach Perkins has been very supportive of her on and off the field.

She’s grown to love the sport and said lacrosse is something she sees herself playing throughout her college career.

She’s looking forward to the upcoming Windham spring lacrosse season.

“I'm excited to have fun with everyone. Of course, I like winning, but I just want everyone to have a great year and have fun with it,” said Babb.

She would like to thank Coach Perkins and Coach Meghan Flanagan, her father Coach Rusty Babb, and her family and friends for helping her to get to this point in her career. <