The Bellefonte High girls lacrosse team is starting up the 2024 spring season. One player who stands out on the field as a team player and team leader is senior Makena Lake. She has had a remarkable past three seasons and is ready for her fourth and final season.

Makena has been a part of the sport since it was only a club in sixth grade. She plays attack as number seven. She is sad to leave, but excited to have one last season with her teammates.

“I’m excited to play with all my teammates one last time and all the new girls on the team this year. I’m also excited to have one last season with my dad as the defense coach,” she said 

One of her favorite games was against Selinsgrove where she scored nine goals last year.

“I scored nine times on goal and that was a goal of mine for a while to score over five goals in a game. So achieving that would mean a lot to me,” she said. 

One goal she has for this season is to have 5 goals each game so she can hit her main goal of achieving 100 goals. After she graduates in June, Makena is going to Kutztown to pursue a degree in graphic design. 

Coach Kerry O’Hara has helped Makena grow into the player she is and is very appreciative of what Makena has done for the team.

“Makena has learned that she needs the support of her teammates in order to succeed both as an individual and the team. She has become a very good leader by example, practicing hard, willing to help other teammates understand the game better,” he said.

Coach O’Hara wishes nothing but the best for Makena and her teammates moving forward from high school.

“Makena and her other senior teammates have matured in many ways since they first stepped on the field as freshmen and they all should succeed in life,” he said.

Someone alongside Makena, since they started playing, is senior Sydney Holderman.

“My favorite part of playing with Makena over the years is our unspoken connection and bond on and off the field,” she said. 

She will be missed most by her big smile and how much she has grown into a leader. However, she has high hopes for her teammates.

“I hope the team can just have fun this year and try and win more games,” she said.