Senior Spotlight: Clare Lewis Battaglia

Something you may not know about Clare Lewis Battaglia, the longest tenured player on the Varsity Girls Lacrosse team, is that she has lived in two other countries before coming to Palmer Trinity – Japan and Mexico. Since arriving, Battaglia has been a contributor on the lacrosse team since the spring of 2017, when she was just a seventh grader. Battaglia first picked up a lacrosse stick when she was only a third grader at the request of her friends, but quickly grew to love the sport more and more as the years passed.

As a seventh grader, Battaglia said while it may have been nerve-wracking, if not terrifying, to be playing against girls much older and stronger than her, she believes she would never be the player she is now without those lessons and opportunities to build her skills, strengthen her character, and raise her confidence. As a senior, Battaglia is now the team’s leader in goals and points and holds the school record for most ground balls recovered in a game, season, and career. Coach Herrera is quick to point out Battaglia’s impact on the team, praising her ability to be a leader on the field while also utilizing her sense of humor to pick the team up. “She is the heart and soul of our team. The players really respect her and she respects them. She is absolutely one of the best players I have ever coached”. 

Looking back on her time here at Palmer Trinity, Battaglia notes that her fondest memories are the ones where the entire team came together to bond and enjoy each other’s company, most notably at team dinners. She also will never forget the feeling to win the District Championship in 2018. While the loss of Coach Sparks following the 2019 season was a concern initially, Battaglia said her fears were soothed instantly when Coach Herrera took over. “I have never been prouder to be a part of the Palmer Trinity Girls Lacrosse team. Nothing has brought me more joy than watching inexperienced players join and develop their skills”. Battaglia has been a great role model for the younger athletes as she knows exactly what it is like to be in their shoes. She also enjoyed working with the upperclassman to continue to develop their own skills while remaining an advocate for more athletes to get involved.

As the lacrosse season and senior year winds down, Battaglia looks forward to her next chapter at The College of William & Mary where she will be studying economics or psychology. Outside of Palmer Trinity, Battaglia is an active Girl Scout where she seeks to help those in need and give back to the community wherever possible. She enjoys playing club lacrosse, baking, and spending time with family and friends. She points to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days as her favorite movie, pancakes as her favorite food, and Taylor Swift as her favorite musician.

Come out and support the Varsity Girls Lacrosse team as they gear up for the District Tournament beginning on April 11^th.

Go Falcons!