Bishop Chatard graduate Maggie Piatt orchestrated a strong Indiana high school girls lacrosse season this year.
The state leader in points, goals and assists helped the Trojans clinch their first state title in program history.
Before she suits up for Manhattan University (NY) later this year, Piatt spoke with the IndyStar as part of our Athlete of the Year Q&A series.
Her responses have been edited for clarity, length and style.
Question: What did it mean for you to help secure the first state title in the history of Bishop Chatard girls lacrosse?
Answer: “It meant so much. It felt like four years and a program full of hard work paid off. This was the most tight knit team I’ve ever been a part of, always building each other up and working together to achieve all we got.”
Question: As a senior, you led the state in points, goals and assists. How did you achieve that success?
Answer: “I achieved this by working hard with my stick skills and building athletic abilities with weights and running. I was fresh out of swim season and my body felt more ready than ever after working on technicals the whole summer and offseason. I would do training with Rachel Frantz, who is the best ever. She made me more confident in my ability to shoot and feed.”
Question: What are some of the biggest things you learned from playing high school lacrosse in Indiana?
Answer: “The biggest thing I learned was how a tight knit community this is. Indiana is very under appreciated with lacrosse as it’s mainly on the East Coast. We have amazing club teams and high schools here, though, who all work hard to bring recognition to Indiana through amazing players and coaches.”
Question: You were a coach for True Lacrosse Indiana and helped players join Saints Lacrosse. Why is it so important for you to help elevate the game in that way?
Answer: “It is important to elevate the game by coaching because if you love a sport it radiates through you, and it’s contagious. I love the sport so much and I’ve learned to love it through others. Coach Julie (Jerrell) and my mom have always been transparent about how amazing this sport is and all it can give us girls, and I’m trying to pass it down even a little bit like how they did.”
Question: Your mom, Beth, played college lacrosse at Notre Dame. How much has she meant to you in your own journey?
Answer: “It meant a lot. It gave me a high standard and a glimpse into what I wanted my future to look like. Though that’s not the school I chose, I knew I wanted to play Division I at a school I loved just like she did. I saw how she made lifelong friends and connections though playing and it inspired me to keep playing after high school.”
Question: What were the deciding factors that led to your commitment to play at Manhattan University in New York?
Answer: “Some factors were location, the other recruits. It fit well to my major with opportunities for criminology and pre-law. The school has amazing opportunities on and off the field that I can’t wait to take advantage of with a new amazing coach heading in this year.”
Marc Ray is a high school sports reporter at the IndyStar. He can be reached at marc.ray@indystar.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Q&A: Bishop Chatard’s Maggie Piatt reflects on state title win, putting girls lacrosse on the map
Reporting by Marc Ray, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Marc Ray, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
