2007 Walax and Cascade Washington Female Player of the Year

One of the great things about this job is looking back at the season and realizing just how many potential candidates you have for the 'Player of the year' award.  When we reviewed the players with Cascade we looked for not only one of the best players in the state but for someone that showed exemplary sportsmanship, all round athleticism and someone that truly could represent the voice of lacrosse of Washington. It was no easy task selecting a winner for the women's award but we are very proud to introduce the Walax and Cascade Washington Female Player of the Year.

Congratulations to Gracie Binder, 2007 All American from Lakeside

Gracie spent some time with us recently to answer a few questions about her lacrosse experience and what she looks forward to as she heads to college this fall.

"Gracie, You've had quite a year - All American and Varsity A Champions.  You scored 5 of the 10 goals for Lakeside in the Varsity A finals. Tell us about your team’s performance that day and the memories you came away with from that experience."

Thank you, Paula.  It really was a wonderful year for our team, winning a second straight State Championship.  I have been playing with most of the Lakeside seniors since middle school and every year since it had been our goal to win State together.  Winning last year was unexpected and great!  But this year, we were the seniors.  We went into the game knowing that we could beat Bainbridge and that this would be the last chance we would have to play together after being together for six years.  Our coach, Jamie Asaka, had worked out a great game plan and the team knew that all we had to do was execute it the way Jamie had told us to.  Strategy has always been Jamie's strong point and I think that it's reflected in our team's success over the past three years. In the end, I think our team followed through and pulled together one last great game. That's the greatest memory that we could possible walk away with. 

"Tell us what it means to be named an All American?"

I fell in love with lacrosse before I was even on a team when I was in the fifth grade. I started out catching and passing with my dad and older sister without realizing that you could actually play on a team and in games. I played on my first lacrosse team in the seventh grade at Lakeside and immediately realized that there was something special about this sport. I've put a lot of time and effort into lacrosse, working to be the best player that I can be. Being named an All-American was something that I never expected; yet something I was constantly working towards. I was honored to receive the award because there are so many great high school players in Washington now and I was thrilled to be selected from among them.

"If you had to distill your lacrosse experiences down to a few moments, can you describe one of your best?"

My best memory might be from this past championship game. I’ve heard a lot of people say that our win in 2006 was a fluke and that we were just lucky. I think winning that second consecutive championship might have earned our program and our coach a little more of the respect that they deserve. I’m glad the rest of the seniors and I went out with a bang.

"Will you be playing college ball and if so, where?"  

Yes, I decided to play for Santa Clara University in California. I think it’s important for good players to stay on the west coast in order to build new programs and help show the east coast that we’re catching up fast.

"Tell us what you are most nervous about and what you hope to bring to their program?"

Santa Clara has a very strong, sponsored program that competes nationally in the WDIA.  I am a little nervous about making the transition to college, but I have already had some experience playing against college players from my participation in the Puget Sound Select program last summer.  What I hope to bring to the Santa Clara program is the kind of "settled offense" we have used at Lakeside, that relies on passing rather than one-on-one match ups to score.

"Can you name some of your Lacrosse mentors, or folks who have helped you to get where you are? Either a coach or player?" 

At the top of the list is Jamie Asaka, my Lakeside High School coach.  Not only has she taught me how the game is played, but also she has really helped me develop my stick skills and field sense.  Of course, there's also my Dad, who played lacrosse growing up on the east coast, bought me my first stick, taught me how to throw and catch and was also my first coach back in middle school.

"What is it that drives you on the field to play like you do?"

I just love the game.  Growing up I played a lot of soccer and basketball, but there was something special about lacrosse for me.  I think my style of play, setting-up other players rather than always driving to goal, comes from my appreciation of teamwork.

"Many girls look to you and Catherine Rodriguez as lacrosse role models. What advice would you give to them?"

Well, I am flattered on both counts; first to have you say that other girls look up to me as a role model and second to be grouped with Catherine, who is the best I have ever played with or against!  As for advice, I can only echo my coaches' mantra "catch the ball". It seems simple, but catching is both the most important and the most difficult skill in girls lacrosse.