Dental Arts of Westwood Athletes Of The Month: The Westwood Girls Lacrosse Captains

My typical goal is to spotlight one athlete each month, which gives us the opportunity to explore a number of different topics and learn more about that individual. Sometimes, a single spotlight becomes a duo because coaches and teammates say, “You can’t showcase one without showcasing the other.”
 
Totally understood.
 
I also understood this month’s feature would have to follow a different set of rules. It wouldn’t be right to cherry-pick just one of this year’s quintet of senior lacrosse captains. Caroline Nozzolillo, Emilie DeMaio, Kate Sullivan, CeCe Thurmond and Charlotte DeMaio have each signed letters of intent to play lacrosse at the next level. How well they combine and cultivate their collective talents will ultimately determine how far the girls advance in their last hurrahs wearing green and white.
 
We touched on various topics, with their collection of responses encapsulating a unified approach to success.
 
Tom: What makes this senior class so special?
 
Emilie: We have all been best friends since elementary and middle school, so right away we already have a connection off the field. We have learned a lot from our previous teammates about great leadership and commitment to the team, and we push each other to get better every chance we get.
 
CeCe: Each year we’ve grown with and from each other. I think we all do a very good job of pushing each other while having fun. Having a strong relationship on and off the field is very important and beneficial to us as well.
 
Tom: When did you first start following Westwood High School lacrosse?
 
Charlotte: I first started following Westwood Lacrosse in elementary school. I remember how good the team was and how I used to look up to the girls that were on that team. I used to do the youth camps and had so much fun. I remember wanting to be on the team, so I definitely pushed myself and worked hard to be able to be a part of the team.
 
Emilie: I was in third grade. I used to go to all the camps and look up to all the older girls. I enjoyed watching them play and seeing them lead by example.
 
CeCe: My first memory of watching Westwood play was when I was in third grade, when I saw my first game. Instantly, after seeing them play, I was inspired and driven by the thought that one day, that could be me. From then on, I followed the lacrosse team and watched countless games, growing and learning from each one.
 
Tom: How do you inspire each other as captains?
 
Charlotte: All five of us have played together since we were young, so we all know what our strengths and weaknesses are, and how to use each other in games. We all push each other every practice and every game to get better. As a group, we have something very special because we’ve played together for so long. When one of us does something wrong, we are all very supportive, no matter what the situation is.
 
Kate: I’m surrounded by an extremely talented class of lacrosse players, so I take a lot of inspiration from them and enjoy watching not only how they utilize their leadership skills on the field, but also off the field. Their high IQ and competitive play inspires me every day, along with the way they communicate to our teammates and coaches.
 
Emilie: We motivate each other by giving one another positive reinforcement and encouragement. We have shared goals, which helps create a positive team environment.
 
Tom: How has your involvement in other sports helped you on the lacrosse field?
 
Kate: It’s not only affected my athleticism positively, but it’s also allowed me to grow up with impactful leaders and coaches. Each sport has a different dynamic of play, but each is also similar in numerous ways. You need to communicate and trust your teammates, which is crucial. I also believe that the versatility of skill sets has allowed for IQ on the field, in general, to be heightened, along with mental toughness and being capable of overcoming and working around problems.
 
Tom: Is there a sense of NEED to win the championship again this year with this very talented group?
 
Caroline: There isn’t necessarily a sense of need, but I’d call it a desire and intrinsic motivation to make our mark in our senior season. We know we have to take it game by game, but everyone is fully bought-in to the hard work required, and to the hard work we know we’re capable of. We also know what it takes to win based on our freshman year, when we won the state championship, and can take what we learned from the leaders of that team into the current season. All of we seniors have been playing together since seventh grade, and there’s no better way to finish than with a state championship. To get there, we need to set the tone early in the season and not take any games lightly.
 
CeCe: I think our biggest key will be playing as a team and maintaining the drive we’ve had in past seasons. In all my years playing Westwood lacrosse and throughout high school, the main points of emphasis have always been playing as one team and remembering everyone plays a part in the success of the team.
 
Tom: Do you look forward to the spring season all year because of how good you know this group can be?
 
Caroline: We all have been counting down the days until we get to play together again. This season feels even more special because we know it’s our last chance to compete side-by-side and we have a chance to build on everything we’ve worked towards for the past three years. We also have underclassmen that are going to be given more playing time and bigger roles to step into, and it will be exciting to see how they grow and contribute to the team. The chemistry we all have, the trust we’ve built over the years, and the sheer potential of this group make it impossible not to be excited.
 
Kate: I not only want to be successful as a team, but I want to push myself as a leader and help my teammates do their best. As it is my senior season, a big goal of mine is to have fun and make this year as enjoyable and successful as possible.
 
CeCe: The whole year I look forward to lacrosse season. I love being with the team and inevitably seeing how we progress each season. Lacrosse is what makes spring so fun for me and I can’t wait for it to start up.
 
Tom: What do you think will happen in the future with this group of captains?
 
Charlotte: I think we all have the grit and determination to reach our goals of making a difference on our college teams.
 
Kate: I’ll be forever connected to my friends. The lacrosse community is huge and it’s exciting to think about how each of us will be continuing our journeys over the next four years with the sport that brought us together originally.
 
If you want to nominate someone to be a future Dental Arts of Westwood Athlete of the Month, email Diana Bezdedeanu at dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com