Outstanding Student-Athletes Honored with Annual Awards

Each year, the Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) Athletic Department presents five awards to recognize the outstanding efforts and achievements of student-athletes. The awards take into account the year-long athletic achievements of student-athletes.

“It is a highlight of our year to honor our student-athletes with these prestigious awards,” said Athletic Director Steve King. “We’re proud of all of our athletes, and these winners have stood out in the minds of our coaches and our Athletic Department as being deserving of special attention. We celebrate their achievements and the legacy they have followed, and continue to build, in LCA Athletics!”

A description of each award is below with a recap of the recipients.

Senior Athletic Award

The senior recipients of this award have participated in three seasons of athletics for each of the previous three years. Participation includes either Varsity or Junior Varsity team membership. Managerial positions are included for only one of the three sports of participation.

Karolline Braga ’11

Karolline Braga (Somerville, MA) has been a varsity player for Field Hockey, Girls Basketball, and Girls Lacrosse for each of the past three seasons. She was a captain for all three teams this year.

This year, Karolline was an Eastern Independent League (EIL) All-League 1st Team member in Field Hockey and Girls Basketball. She was also an EIL All-League Honorable Mention for Girls Lacrosse, as well as Honorable Mention for the New England Preparatory School Women’s Lacrosse Association (NEPSWLA). Karolline also served as LCA’s Athletic Prefect during the 2010–11 year.

Matt Getchell ’11

Matt Getchell (Chelmsford, MA) has been a varsity player for the Golf and Wrestling teams in each of the past three seasons, and Varsity Baseball this past year after playing JV Baseball in 2009 and 2010. (Read more about Matt below!)

Luke Smith ’11

Luke Smith (Ayer, MA) has been a varsity player for Cross Country, Wrestling, and Boys Lacrosse for each of the past three seasons. (Read more about Luke below!)

Boys Coaches Award & Grace Strodel Coaches Award

Given to a male and female student-athlete who have demonstrated the following criteria in outstanding fashion: Athletic Ability, Leadership Qualities, and Superior Dedication in the area of interscholastic competition.

Click here for a listing of the past 25 years of recipients!

Boys Coaches Award: Matt Getchell ’11

Senior Matt Getchell was a three-sport varsity student-athlete at LCA this year in Golf, Wrestling, and Baseball. Matt was named the Superior Dedication award winner for both Golf and Wrestling, a true testament to his dedication to his sport, coaches, and teammates.

On the baseball field, Matt was Top 5 in games played, plate appearances, at-bats, RBIs, homeruns, and walks, demonstrating the significant impact he had on the team this year.

Matt truly excelled on the wrestling mat. Serving as captain, Matt wrestled in the 140 lb. weight class. He was named Eastern Independent League (EIL) Honorable Mention. He finished the season with a record of 17-5, including a 9-1 record in the EIL. Matt was also a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Wrestling Tournament participant.

Matt is the perfect example of a passionate sport competitor, always looking to improve in training and performance. He is dedicated and committed to the leadership of his coaches.

What separates Matt is his care and compassion for those around him, regardless of age or ability. It is not uncommon to see Matt working with younger wrestlers and baseball players—not only because he has something worthwhile to teach, but because he cares about the experience of others.

Matt’s coaches say that he is supremely dedicated to his sport with high levels of leadership, and a fierce competitor who competes with honor, integrity, and humility. Another coach said that Matt was, “a player I looked forward to coaching every day.”

Matt will be attending Fitchburg State University (MA) to pursue a degree in sport & exercise science.

Grace Strodel Coaches Award: Kallan Roys ’13

Sophomore Kallan Roys was three-sport varsity student-athlete at LCA this year in Soccer, Basketball, and Softball. She was EIL All-League Honorable Mention in all three sports, demonstrating just how much of an impact she had on her teams, and the trust and respect she earned from her coaches.

On the basketball court, Kallan was a starter on a team that went undefeated in the EIL and was runner-up in Class D for the NEPSAC. She was 4th on the team in points and rebounds, and 2nd in assists.

On the softball field Kallan, was a captain and batted third in the lineup, playing shortstop. She finished in the Top 3 in batting average, hits, doubles, triples, RBIs, and runs scored.

What separates Kallan is a teachable spirit and commitment to improving each day. She demonstrates integrity and a hard-nosed approach in competition.

Kallan’s coaches say that she is always willing to do the little things that keep a team together and help a team be successful, and that she always tried to do things the right way, even if the right way isn’t easy. Another coach said Kallan can always be trusted to put forth maximum effort and not complain when things get hard.

Kallan is the second sophomore to win the award since 2004 (Rebekah Bolton ’06).

Girls Sports Award & George Durward Memorial Award

Given to a male and female student-athlete who have demonstrated the following criteria in outstanding fashion: Christian Character, Athletic Ability, Leadership, Scholarship, and School Citizenship

Click here for a listing of the past 25 years of recipients!

Girls Sports Award: Marley Vazquez ’11

Senior Marley Vazquez was a stand-out, two-sport varsity student-athlete at LCA this year. Serving as captain for both Soccer and Lacrosse, she possessed a strong combination of speed, finesse, and skill. Marley was also a member of National Honor Society and an honor roll student.

On the soccer field, Marley led the team in goals (9) and tied for the lead in assists (3). She was the Superior Dedication award winner, and was EIL All-League 1st Team for the second straight year.

On the lacrosse field, Marley was the team’s MVP award winner. She earned EIL All-League 1st Team and a New England Preparatory School Women’s Lacrosse (NEPSWLA) All-Star—both for the second straight year. She led the team in goals (57) and tied for second is assists (5).

What is quite impressive is that Marley finished her career 3rd all-time in LCA history in goals (139) and total points (167). She is also 6th all-time in assists (28).

What separates Marley is her competitive drive to be the best player on the field in each of her sports. She has a quiet confidence and ability to also lead her team with aggressive play.

Marley’s coaches say that she is a fiery competitor who has the tools to be the most dynamic player on the field at all times, and is an impressive athlete that also possesses good humility. Another coach said she is a dedicated leader who has an imposing balance of speed, skill, and determination.

Marley will be attending Elon University (NC) in the fall.

George Durward Memorial Award: Luke Smith ’11

Senior Luke Smith was a three-sport varsity student-athlete at LCA this year, serving as Captain in Cross Country, Wrestling, and Lacrosse. He was member of the National Honor Society and also an honor roll student.

Luke was the Sportsmanship award winner in both Cross Country and Lacrosse, and finished in varsity scoring in all 14 team races in Cross Country.

Luke really left an indelible mark on the Wrestling program at LCA. This year he was the team’s MVP award winner. He was also the EIL Wrestling Most Valuable Player*, and was EIL All-League 1st Team for the second straight year. A NEPSAC Wrestling Tournament participant for the second straight year, Luke finished the season with a 20-5 record, including a perfect 10-0 in the EIL. He finished his career with a record of 64-42, including 31-12 in the EIL—20-2 in the last two years alone!

What separates Luke is his quiet leadership and hard work that inspires others to achieve their best. He has a high level of integrity and chooses to do what he knows is admirable, especially in competition.

Luke’s coaches say that he is the positive leader you want to coach, never complaining and always giving everything he has. Another coach said Luke is a dedicated and dogged competitor who performs every exercise to completion. Still another coach said Luke is an outstanding teammate and mentor to younger athletes who possesses great leadership qualities.

Luke, who also recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout, will be attending the Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) to pursue a degree in computer engineering. He will also be enlisted in the Air Force ROTC program.

*Luke was the third straight EIL Wrestling MVP following Jason Mills ’09 and Nathan Calandra ’10.