Three Female Athletes Commit to Division I Colleges
Reagan Feld and Sadie Finn
MADDIE TOASO, CREW:
“Maddie Toaso is the most resilient person I know,” said senior Candace Goodman, Toaso’s crew teammate. Toaso’s resilience was evident during her sophomore season when she was removed from the top boat. “[I] needed to work harder,” said Toaso, to her get top spot back. Her hard work paid off, as this past fall she committed to Oregon State University’s Division I crew team.
Toaso has enjoyed her time on crew, especially being around her fellow teammates. “[I probably love] the people in it the most,” said Toaso. In a boat of eight, it would be difficult to win if the rowers did not get along. The sport itself “gives me something to stay motivated,” said Toaso.
Toaso began to row in seventh grade, and began to row competitively in the fall of ninth grade. “I have more mental strength than I ever had before,” said Toaso. “I am much more patient with everything… just a better person overall.”
Toaso decided on OSU after visiting in the fall. “I knew as soon as I got into [OSU] that it was where I belonged,” said Toaso. “I had never had that feeling before… I will thrive there.”
LYDIA GREENWOOD, CREW:
Senior Lyida Greenwood committed to University of Delaware to row Division I crew. Greenwood has been rowing since eighth grade, but in her sophomore year, she had to choose between pursuing swimming or rowing in college. “It was a really hard decision to make,” said Greenwood.
“[Crew] taught me to stick together and be a family,” said Greenwood of her teammates. “I like [that teamwork] more than the individuality of swimming.”
“I was inspired by my other teammates [to commit],” said Greenwood. “I saw them committing and thought ‘I can do that.’” The recruiting process was difficult for Greenwood. To maintain an advantage on the water, rowers are often chosen for their height. Many coaches rejected Greenwood because she is “a short athlete.” Because of this unspoken requirement, “many opportunities were cut off,” said Greenwood.
Greenwood will spend her next four years in Newark, Delaware. “As soon as I met the team and the coaches… it was an immediate connection for me,” said Greenwood. “[UD] had everything I wanted.”
CALEY ZACK, SOCCER:
Senior Caley Zack committed to play Division I soccer at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Growing up, “almost all of my family played soccer, so I have grown up with the sport,” said Zack. “I do not remember a time in my life when soccer was not a part of it.”
Over the summer, Zack committed to play for JMU. “I chose JMU because I love the coaches and the team is very welcoming,” said Zack.
Even though recruitment can be difficult, it is “worth it,” said Zack. “I love soccer [because of] the competitiveness and teamwork.”
“I’m most excited about the second family that I’m going to have with the soccer team,” said Zack. She was able to meet most of her new team during an official visit. “We spent time with the team, went to a practice and a football game!”
