Athlete of the Week: Jamie Trabaudo

Polytech senior Jamie Trabaudo, a North Carolina signee, scored the 200th goal of her high school career last Wednesday against Caesar Rodney.

JAMIE TRABAUDO, senior, Polytech girls lacrosse

THE WEEK: Scored five goals and an assist for the No. 2 Panthers in a 20-4 victory over Padua on Monday. Added five goals and two assists in a 16-5 win over Caesar Rodney on Wednesday and two goals and an assist in a 12-2 victory over Dover on Friday.

THE MILESTONE: In the CR game, Trabaudo scored the 200th goal of her high school career. “It was awesome,” she said. “Right when the ball went in, all of my teammates came over and hugged me and it was a big celebration.”

THE VERSATILITY: Trabaudo has also been one of the state’s top field hockey players each fall. “I think they’re really similar, lacrosse and hockey,” she said. “My coach always says that lacrosse is like field hockey in the air. A lot of the defense is the same, and a lot of the playmaking is the same.”

THE COACH SAYS: Polytech’s Lynn Richardson coaches both field hockey and lacrosse, so she has watched Trabaudo play through eight varsity seasons. “It’s been a pleasure,” she said. “She came in as a fantastic athlete, even in ninth grade, and it’s just been awesome to see her mature and grow.”

THE LEADERSHIP: “When my team is down, I can pick them back up,” Trabaudo said. “I can say, ‘OK, this is our game plan, this is what we’re going to do.’ I know some of the strategies, because I’ve played among some of the top players in the nation and I know how they roll when things get hard.”

THE STRENGTH: “She’s just a force out on the field,” Richardson said. “She’s a big, solid, strong kid. She’s got a fantastic shot, and her skills are better than most.”

THE GOAL: The Panthers lost to seven-time defending champ Cape Henlopen in the state final last season, so there is one major hurdle to clear. “Win a state championship,” Trabaudo said. “That’s been our goal since we started playing. … We dream about it every day.”

THE CLASSROOM: Trabaudo is concentrating on health care rehab at Polytech. She also spends half of each school day working with special needs students at the John S. Charlton School.

THE FUTURE: Trabaudo has signed to continue her lacrosse career at North Carolina, which is currently ranked third nationally. “UNC was my dream school,” she said. “When they contacted me, I basically cut ties with everybody else.”

Send Athlete of the Week nominations to bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.