Senior Daytona Gransback capitalizes on last year at LB

Senior Daytona Gransback is living, breathing proof that there’s a first time for everything. Having never played field hockey in her life, she made the varsity team this fall. Yet again, she has tried a new sport this spring and was welcomed onto the roster of the girls varsity lacrosse team after just a month of preparation. Some of the senior girls and guys lacrosse players went out of their way to make sure Gransback earned a spot on the roster. “I practiced with Neal, who’s a senior, and she helped me,” Gransback said. “I practiced with other girls and went to green days. I practiced with some senior guys from the lacrosse team too. They helped me cradle, shoot and taught me the rules. I’m still learning currently.”

Even though she’s played a number of sports and is known to have above-average athleticism, Gransback’s short history with the sport made her anxious before tryouts.

“I was really iffy about it,” Gransback said. “I knew I had to prove myself and work extra hard. I’m a senior who’s trying out for the first time so I had to give it 110 percent effort all the time. I was really nervous.”

For the second time this year, Gransback was ecstatic to be named onto the roster of a sport she had hardly played, and the workout that would keep her fit contented her as well.

“I was really happy. I was really excited,” Gransback said. “I was happy about the running and fitness and trying something new.”

Having the courage to try out for the field hockey team in the fall has paid off in the long run. Field hockey and lacrosse share many aspects, which made it easier for Gransback to pick up on the rules.

“Field hockey definitely gave me an advantage fielding-wise [for lacrosse],” Gransback said. “How players spread out on the field and what defense and offense do and communication. It’s the same structure as field hockey.”

Her want to try out for an unfamiliar sport was not driven by friends, parents or coaches. She alone chose to make the most of her last few months at Lake Braddock, and she wanted to spend them wearing a Bruins’ uniform.

“It’s my senior year. “Gransback said, “I’m going to graduate. I’m never going to get to play these sports again so it’s kind of like this was my last high school experience.”

After seeing Gransback in action, Dwyer Neal, a senior on the team, is happy with the work rate that the first-timer is putting in.

“She’s good on and off the field. I can see her improving every day,” Neal said, “She’s super fun to be around, and she makes the team so happy. Whenever you see her you get a big smile on your face.”

Photos courtesy of Gregg Zelkin