Athlete of the Week: Del Norte High’s Drew one-of-a-kind
By Michael Bower
Del Norte High field hockey coach Jason Askegreen can watch an opposing attacker race toward the Nighthawks’ net with very little panic or concern.
Del Norte High’s Megan Drew stops a shot during the Futures Regional at Stanford. Courtesy photo
He knows he has a one-of-a-kind goalkeeper. One that not only blocks nearly everything that comes her way, but one who also makes sure the back-line defense is in the proper position.
That’s the kind of luxury a coach gets with three-year starter Megan Drew in the net.
“When the ball gets to our 25, I don’t get nervous with her back there and with the defense I currently have,” Askegreen said. “You don’t feel that nerve-wracking sensation as a coach. Most of the time she is on her game.”
Drew, a 5-foot, 9-inch senior with a 6-foot wingspan, was definitely on her game last week. She registered her fourth shutout of the season in Del Norte’s 1-0 win over Escondido and followed that up with a six-save performance in the Nighthawks’ 3-1 win over Mission Hills.
For her efforts, Drew is the Toyota of Poway Athlete of the Week.
“The defense is a unit so we all work together,” said Drew, who will enter her fourth year training with the Olympic Developmental Program (Futures) in January. “Every time I get a shutout it is a shutout for the defense, too. I just do whatever I can to help us get the ‘W.’”
The extremely humble Drew has quite a resume. She carries a 3.94 GPA, was an All-Valley League First-Team selection for field hockey and a U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-American as a junior. She is a captain on the field hockey, basketball and lacrosse teams at Del Norte High.
Drew’s ability to lead is just one reason why several colleges are interested in her services for lacrosse and field hockey.
“She is the life of the party,” Askegreen said. “She is always the one to crack a joke when things are too serious and she is always able to get other girls back on track with a smile. She pulls off that leadership role really well.”
Drew has worked with some of the top lacrosse and field hockey goalkeepers in the world. This past year she trained with U.S. National Field Hockey Team goalie Jackie Kintzer. She also trained with lacrosse U.S. National Team goalie Devon Wills.
“It has really turned her into a top-level performer at the high school level,” Askegreen said. “It has helped her develop fundamental techniques. But more impressive to me is that she has taken those skills she has learned and helped our other two goalies. We have three teams this year and she has taken the other goalies under her wing.”
Drew is excited about being recruited for both field hockey and lacrosse. She has yet to choose a school, but there is little doubt that she will be playing at least one of the sports at the next level.
“The best-case scenario is that I would be playing both in college,” she said. “It is really exciting to be getting recruited, especially since it will help my parents out with cost. But also to be able to do what I love at the next level would be the best feeling ever.”
Related posts:
- Athlete of the Week: Athleticism lands Rancho Bernardo High’s Rudkin scholarship to Syracuse
- Prep Field Hockey: Dybczak, DeGreef lead Del Norte High to victory
- Prep Field Hockey: RB High, Del Norte, Poway have talent to play with county’s best
Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=29454
Posted by Michael Bower
on Oct 17 2012. Filed under Athletes of the Week, Featured Story, High School, Sports.
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