Coach's Corner - Jackie Stevens, Westminster Girls Lacrosse

This summer, CSZ will be doing a segment on the WICKipedia entitled "Coach's Corner". In this feature, we'll be conducting Q&A's with various coaches from around Maryland to learn more about their coaching processes, and why they love coaching.

Our first post in this series will feature Jackie Stevens, the girls' lacrosse head coach at Westminster High School in Carroll County! Jackie spoke with us about a variety of topics, including what it was like to coach the Westminster girls' lacrosse program to its first ever state championship!

County Sports Zone:How did you get your start with coaching lacrosse?

Jackie Stevens:When I was hired at Westminster High School back in 2008, they were also looking for a head lacrosse coach for that school year. I've been coaching ever since I starting teaching in 2001. I was coaching in Harford County before I transferred to Carroll County.

CSZ:Why do you coach? What about it do you enjoy?

JS:One of the reasons why I coach is because it's so fulfilling. Another reason I coach is because of the memories I had playing at North Carroll under Denean Powelson Koontz. She was an amazing coach, person and still is to this day. Playing under her was such a great experience. As a young player at North Carroll I looked up to Denean and she is one of the reason why I wanted to be a coach.

The reason why I enjoy coaching so much is because of the relationships I foster with my players and the coaching staff. The girls are so much fun to be around, they make me smile every day and I love how passionate they are for the game of lacrosse.

CSZ:Specifically Westminster- why do you enjoy coaching there?

JS:I love coaching at Westminster because of the amazing coaching staff I have, the most supportive athletic director in Terry Molloy, and such supportive parents. I love the relationships I have with the girls on the team. I know these relationships will last long after they graduate, and some already do from years past. I am so lucky to be able to coach such talented and exceptional girls year in and year out.

CSZ:It was a tremendous season for Westminster's girls lacrosse program. Why was this year's group a state championship winning one?

JS:This group won states because they never doubted themselves. This year's group was a special group because of their extraordinary talent, and skill. They all believed in each other and made each other better lacrosse players. The team was strong on all sides of the field from our strong draw controls, attacking skills, defensive skills, and our goalie was top notch.

CSZ:Not only did Westminster's girls lacrosse team win, but the boys won too. How special of a night was that for Westminster as a whole?

JS:It was even more special to share this with the boys. We made history that night. I will be forever grateful for that, and the memories I got to share with the girls, the coaching staff and the boys program. It was one of the most special nights of my life and I am so happy that the girls got their first state title in program history. They all deserved it, worked so hard for it and I couldn't be more proud of them.

CSZ:How does it feel to win the program's first ever state title?

JS:Words can't explain it! I am just so proud to be a part of Westminster girls lacrosse history and for everyone that made it happen. It will be memories I will cherish for years to come.