3 minute read
Towne Athlete Meet
TOWNE ATHLETE
Amadi Higgins
By Tom Worgo
St. Vincent Pallotti High School senior Amadi Higgins has compiled a long list of glittery lacrosse accomplishments. Higgins has earned a scholarship to the University of Richmond and scored an astonishing 112 goals during her junior season. On top of that, she plays for a high-level club team, Uproar Lacrosse, which competes against squads from the entire East Coast.
On top of that, Higgins’ participation with the Nations United Women’s Elite Lacrosse Team last year may be her most meaningful experience. She participated in high-profile showcases and tournaments
in Lake Placid, New York, and Maryland with other minority players. The goal is to show lacrosse diversity. These events featured teams from 17 states, including Florida and California.
“It means a lot to me because there weren’t a lot of other girls like me playing lacrosse when I was growing up,” Higgins says. “I never got to see a lot of black people like me. I always played on predominantly white teams.”
Bonding with other black players in a primarily white sport was important to her. The Bowie resident cherished her time with these other lacrosse standouts.
“It was like sisterhood,” Higgins says. “We got together and stayed in hotels together. We learned and talked about more than lacrosse. It brought us closer together. I would see them at tournaments, but I would never talk to them.”
Colleges coveted the 5-foot-3 Higgins because of her speed, accurate shot, and leadership skills. She served as co-captain for Pallotti last spring.
Connecticut, Florida, High Point, Towson, and Jacksonville State all offered scholarships to Higgins, who carries a 3.86 grade-point average. The 17-yearold felt Richmond was a great fit both academically and athletically. “When I was around the team, I felt the chemistry and the love,” Higgins explains. “That’s where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. I love the program they are building, and I want to be part of it. I want to major in business and pre-law. They have amazing programs there.” You can say the same thing about her goal-scoring ability. Higgins totaled 94 goals and 33 assists as a freshman and two years later had 112 goals for the Panthers, who compete in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland C Conference. Unfortunately, the pandemic wiped out her sophomore year.
“She shoots the ball about 65 miles per hour,” Pallotti Girls Lacrosse Coach Mark Mozier says. “Most high school goalies can’t pick that up. She could really score in the A Conference.”
Higgins, who has played lacrosse for 11 years, had many memorable performances in 2021. The attacker notched 11 goals in games against Key School, Mount Carmel, and St. Timothy’s. Then Higgins recorded a season-high 12 versus Chapelgate of Howard County in late April in a 22-2 thrashing.
“It felt surreal,” Higgins says of her junior season goal total. “I am always gunning for the goal. Before each game, I set goals and I really aim to reach those. This season, I am looking to score more goals.”
Higgins also stood out in soccer, starting on the varsity squad for three seasons at midfield. She ran varsity indoor track as a freshman, too.
“We had more than 40 students at school for her (National Letter of Intent) signing day,” Pallotti Women’s Athletic Director Lee Ann Elman says. “I told the kids, ‘She tosses the myth out the window that coaches only want recruits to play one sport.’ She plays several and was recruited by Division I schools because she kept her grades up for four years. She is a great role model.”
