Potomac News Online |

A week-long series highlighting

27: Girls Lacrosse

Age: 17

Accomplishments: Junior attack compiled 50 goals and 42

assists for a Forest Park team that swept through the Cardinal District

and reached the Northwest Region championship game in Charlottesville.

… First-team choice in the region and the district. … Shook off

an ankle injury in a two-goal, six-assist game in a regional semifinal

victory over Stonewall Jackson. … Also first-team All-Area as a sophomore,

when she had 38 goals and 14 assists. … Part of regional finalist

as a freshman as well. … Has been playing lacrosse for six years.

Most memorable moment: “Winning the district championship.

We had a really good team my freshman year, but didn’t win the

district tournament.”

Who influenced you the most in lacrosse? “My dad

(Rich Artenian) and mom (Diane Latvala) together. My mom got me into

it, then my dad got involved. He’s the JV coach at Forest Park

now. ”

What do you like most about playing lacrosse? “The

intensity and the teamwork.”

What area have you improved the most in from last year to this

year? “I feel like I’ve improved my dodging, my stick skills

More all-area athletes

Boys

Szakelyhidi Colonial Forge High School

Age: 49

Accomplishments: Owns two district titles in three years

as head coach at Osbourn Park. … Has been on lacrosse staff for four

years and coached youth for two other seasons. … Was a swimmer in

college at SUNY-Cortland. Also coaches swimming and field hockey, and

has coached a variety of other sports including basketball and track

and field. … Her daughter, Shannon Smith, was All-Area for the Yellow

Jackets in 2003 before moving on to Lynchburg College.

Most memorable moment: “It had to be the Albemarle

game [a near-upset in the regional semifinals]. I think when we were

ahead at halftime we were just in shock.”

 Which person influenced you the most in lacrosse?

“My AAU swim coach, Art Stockin. He was ahead of his time.”

What do you like most about coaching lacrosse? “I

like the speed of the game how it has elements from other sports

.”

What area have you improved the most in from last year to

this year? “I had to learn the game of the lacrosse. [Assistant

coach] Steph Houck and I have worked well together because she had that

More coaches of the year

Boys

baseball