Grace Wyckoff, Amelia Cunningham, Jordan Basso, and Paige Drago
Quartet of RHS Girls’ LAX Players Garner Section Honors
By Melanie Cane
On June 10, four juniors from the Rye High Girls’ Lacrosse team were honored at the Section One Lacrosse dinner. Congratulations to goalie Amelia Cunningham, defender Grace Wyckoff, midfield/attack Jordan Basso, and midfielder Paige Drago, who helped lead the team to the No. 2 seed in Section One, Class C.
Rye bested Tappan Zee, the No. 3 seed, in a close Section semifinal, 10-9. Three days later, the Garnets were edged, 8-7, by top-seeded John Jay.
Cunningham, who was awarded All-American and All-Section, said, “I’m so honored to be selected. At the beginning of each lacrosse season my brother Aiden [freshman starter on Rye High’s Boys’ team] and I set goals for ourselves. This year I told him I wanted to be All-American. We pushed each other throughout the season and made sure that we were both fully committed to our goals. He helped me succeed.”
Wyckoff said she was “proud to be part of such a great team and defensive unit.”
Basso credited the coaching staff and her teammates. “I would not have had such success without their support. The coaches were extremely supportive and helped me gain more confidence, and my teammates were really motivated, which made me push them and myself harder.”
Drago, who received All-Section Honorable Mention, said, “It was an honor to be selected by the Section 1 coaches. I thank my teammates for making this possible. We all had a great season.”
“All of these girls were very deserving,” said Coach Dennis Hurlie. “Amelia is one of the best goalies in the Section and being honored as an All American is tremendous. I’m so happy that Grace Wykoff was recognized for her stellar defense. Defenders often get overlooked. Jordan had a tremendous year for us on offense and carried us at times with her play. Nobody works harder and cares more than Paige, so for her to be honored by the Section is a reward for all that work and her great play.”