On both the lacrosse and soccer field, Faith Brown makes things look easy and has done so for a while.
After all, she made the Pleasantville varsity girls lacrosse team as an eighth grader in head coach Hannah Tiso’s first year with the Panthers.
“She definitely did not look or act like an eighth grader,” Tiso said. “She was very mature. She had a lot of confidence, and she took on a leadership role on the field, even being five years younger than some of these kids.”
But the University of Pennsylvania-lacrosse commit has her work cut out for her off the field. In addition to excelling in two varsity sports, Brown volunteers time with the ambulance corps, spends time in the backyard with her twin brother Schuyler and golden retriever Ginger, shoulders a heavy academic load – something that she hopes will prepare her for the Ivy League – and has been playing sports with Type 1 diabetes for over a decade.
We spoke with Brown about all of the above, among other topics as she wraps up her junior year of high school.
What was your experience like playing on the varsity team as an eighth grader?
“Honestly, I thought it was incredible. It’s obviously an opportunity that not too many girls get to have as an eighth grader because you’re still in middle school. But I do think it taught me a lot. I got to play with some incredible girls at such a young age, and it only made it easier for me when I went to high school.”
When did you decide that lacrosse was going to be the long-term sport over soccer?
“I was actually torn for a really long time. At one point, I thought I wanted to play college soccer but some time around eighth grade or freshman year I realized I wanted to play lacrosse. I do love both sports, but I think that lacrosse became a sport that I loved just a little more.”
What was the recruiting process like with UPenn?
“My recruiting process was pretty standard. I had no idea where I wanted to go for a very long time, but (Penn) expressed interest in me right on September 1 (2025) and I did realize that I wanted to go somewhere where I was wanted. The more love that they expressed for me just drew me more into wanting to go there.”
Did you have other offers?
“I definitely had a couple others, but Penn was almost like the complete package.”
Was there an “I made it” moment in committing to a Division I school?
“(The recruiting process) takes a big mental toll on you and it’s very stressful for everyone so once September hit and I was able to go on visits and get offered, I definitely did have a big realization of, ‘I did it.’”
What made you want to go into the medical field in college?
“Diabetes is a big part of it. I was diagnosed when I was eight and I do think being surrounded by medical devices and doctors and whatnot, I was always the type of kid who wanted to be the person helping. Being diagnosed was obviously hard, but it did make me want to go into the medical field even more because I just love helping others.”
What is the toughest part of playing two running-heavy sports with a blood sugar monitor?
“It’s something that I’ve gotten used to, playing with my insulin pump and my blood sugar monitor. That doesn’t bother me as much, but it definitely is a challenge. If I’m running miles and miles, obviously, my blood sugar is going to drop, and I have to be able to take care of myself and let the coaches know when I’m not feeling good. But at the same time, I think it’s also a rewarding process and over the years, I’ve gotten very good at managing my own body.
“I’m the definition of the kid who never wants to come out of the game, even if my blood sugar is low. It definitely takes a lot of discipline for me to read my body and come out even if I don’t want to.”
Why did you start volunteering as an EMT?
“I started volunteering in March, a couple months ago, because it’s definitely a big hands-on experience when it comes to the medical field, and I’ve known that I wanted to go into it for a while. I think getting to volunteer in my town is such an incredible opportunity and it’s a learning process as well.”
How much time do you spend volunteering?
“I have to have 12 hours per month so it’s three hours a week. I work 7 to 10 p.m. after practice.”
How do you juggle the EMT schedule with varsity athletics and obviously schoolwork?
“I do think it’s very hard. It’s definitely a lot, but I also think that over the years, I’ve gotten into a really good routine with balancing the things that I can control. As much as it is stressful, it’s also incredibly rewarding at the same time.”
Do you have any hobbies in the little free time that you have?
“I have a golden retriever, so I love spending time with my dog. I always love spending time with my friends and family and think that’s really important. I just love doing anything I can outdoors.”
Favorite musical artist?
“Noah Kahan probably.”
Do you guys have any go-to team pregame songs?
“We have a playlist but not like a favorite song. I wish we did.”
What is your favorite part about having a twin brother that grew up playing the same sports as you?
“We challenged each other from a young age and grew up playing together. Having a twin who plays the same sports as you definitely makes you want to get better. We’ve spent so many nights outside together on the turf because all we have is each other. Even now that we’re 17, he’ll never say no to picking up a lacrosse stick and I’ll never say no to kicking around a soccer ball.”
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Pleasantville’s Faith Brown talks playing with diabetes, being an EMT
Reporting by George Caratzas, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
