A missed goal, a scraped knee, and the stress of school–nothing keeps Quinn O’Farrell off the lacrosse field. The Rocky junior has turned setbacks into motivation, leaning on teammates, Coach Pam, her brother, and her boyfriend Damien Childress as she grows both on and off the field despite any challenges she faces.
Quinn has played lacrosse for the last four years. Inspired by her older brother—whose games she never missed—she finally tried lacrosse herself, and soon her friends followed her onto the field.
Quinn says the team’s encouragement keeps everyone accountable—they share team dinners, watch movies together, and celebrate small victories. Coach Pam, a mentor of hers, helps Quinn work through tough plays and always offers specific, positive feedback.
“I love our team dinners because we all get to bond after the games,” Quinn said. “We get to watch film and really, like, see what we did wrong, and see what we could do better.”
Quinn has faced many challenges on the field, but one experience in particular made her feel more challenged. Once, during a matchup with a rival team, an opponent’s stick struck Quinn in the face and slammed into her nose—she briefly blacked out. Shaken but determined, she got back up and finished the game.
“Push yourself to a limit that you didn’t even know that was possible, whether that can mentally or physically,” Quinn said, “…if you mess up, I just have a code word in my head if I missed a goal, and I’d say like red, for example.”
Even if she struggles on the field, having Damien by her side has made a positive impact on Quinn’s life. He attends each game, cheers her on, and provides support regardless of the weather. Damien’s encouragement helps Quinn become a stronger player.
“Damien inspires me because he always cheers me on and makes me feel better,” Quinn said.
Quinn hopes to earn a lacrosse scholarship and continue playing after high school; she is grateful for how much the sport has shaped her. With guidance from Coach Pam, inspiration from her brother, and the support of her teammates and Damien, she’s becoming the player and person she strives to be.
“For me, it’s about feeling satisfied with yourself—whether that’s scoring a goal or cheering on the team,” she said.
