Get to know Vandegrift lacrosse player Sarah Jane Ruiz
AUSTIN — For the last eight years, Sarah Jane Ruiz (15) can be found on the lacrosse fields pretty much year-round. She hails from a Navy family so she has moved around a lot. Currently, we can find her in Austin, Texas playing at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas she prides herself in her commitment to the game as well as gets the added perk of traveling the nation.
鈥淎fter school, I either go to lacrosse practice or personal training. I am on two lacross teams, Vandegrift and Grit, and travel several weekends a year and all summer for tournaments. This year, in 2023, I am going to California, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and here in Texas.鈥�
Sarah has been achieving milestone throughout her athletic journey and has already made huge strides her first year in high school
鈥淟ast year, for my club team I was second at the combine for my age group. When I lived in Virginia, I was selected for the All State Team for 2026 girls. And, I was so excited to make the varsity team here in my freshman year!鈥�
Looking back, it lacrosse was not always at the forefront of her choice of sports.
鈥淏efore lacrosse I played soccer, waterpolo, and basketball. It only took one lacrosse clinic and I was hooked. I never looked back. My older sister also played and I liked having that in common with her.鈥�
For Sarah, it鈥檚 not all about the competition.
鈥淲inning is great of course, but I also like to try new moves and skills in each game. I am always trying to do better than I did in the last game. I also love how hyped the team gets right before the game鈥here is so much energy!鈥�
Lacrosse has given Sarah so much fulfillment all these years by allowing friendships to blossom and having a goal to focus on .
鈥淚 have made many amazing friends through lacrosse and that makes it fun! My coaches have taught me about hard work, dedication, and teamwork and that carries over into many aspects of my life. Since I moved around a lot, I played on many different teams in California, Virginia, and now Texas. It鈥檚 why I love going to tournaments so I can see my former teammates and even play against them.鈥�
That hard work and dedication will be key in order for Sarah to achieve her dreams.
鈥淚 would love to play D1 lacrosse at Coastal Carolina or James Maddison. I also want to teach Kindergarten and coach lacrosse.鈥�
You can easily see that being a part of team for Sarah is something she cherishes.
鈥淚 love being on both Vandegrift and Grit. On the VHS team, I am the youngest and all my teammates have been very helpful and good role models for me. I really look up to them! On Grit, we are all freshman and have been working hard to get ready for our next tournament. I am proud to be on both teams and I can鈥檛 wait to see how our season end!鈥�
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