Thirteen Seniors Commit to Play Their Chosen Sport in College

November 13, 2024

Today, Agnes Irwin celebrated thirteen senior student-athletes who committed to play their chosen sport in college. They represent 20% of the graduating Class of 2025. 

The seniors were:

• Caroline Chisholm - Boston College - Field Hockey and Lacrosse
• Grace Connelly - Queens University of Charlotte - Lacrosse
• Sara Davis - Franklin & Marshall - Field Hockey
• Mairyn Dwyer - University of North Carolina - Lacrosse
• Audrey Gelinas - Georgetown University - Squash
• Catie Holmes - University of Maryland - Lacrosse
• Ava Kennedy - Boston University - Crew
• Liz King - Franklin & Marshall -  Soccer
• Rowan Lawrence - University of Denver - Lacrosse
• Lucy Page - Trinity College - Lacrosse
• Rowan Pauzano - University of Rhode Island - Lacrosse 
• Emma Tayloe - United States Naval Academy - Lacrosse
• Gabby Turner - Haverford College - Squash

“We are so incredibly proud to celebrate these thirteen senior student-athletes today.” remarked Co-Director of Athletics Courtney Lubbe. "This celebration is truly one of my favorite days in the year. For our athletes, today’s celebration, and then receiving their acceptance letters, marks the culmination of long and challenging, but ultimately rewarding, recruiting process. To reach this level requires a tremendous commitment from both the athlete and their family. They dedicate themselves to their sport and to their academic studies. They make many sacrifices to pursue excellence in their sport and the classroom for the chance to play an NCAA and college sport. We are so proud to celebrate and congratulate them on their college commitments!” 

Caroline Chisholm will play field hockey and lacrosse at Boston College. Caroline is a four year member of both the Varsity Field Hockey and Lacrosse teams at Agnes Irwin. She is a two-time USA Lacrosse All-American and 1st Team Inter-Ac selection in lacrosse. In field hockey, she is a three-time 1st Team Inter-Ac selection, and team MVP in both 2023 and 2024. Caroline has been selected as the Main Line Athlete of the Week in both field hockey and lacrosse. She is a member of the Athletics Association and received the Carter Mannion award for talent and enthusiastic leadership in 2023. “The energy, presence, skills, leadership, fight, and drive Caroline brings to each practice and game pushes everyone around her to work harder,” said Head Field Hockey Coach Nicole Gerdes. “She has worked extremely hard to accomplish everything she has up to this point and we are very proud of her.” 

Grace Connelly will play lacrosse at Queens University of Charlotte. Grace is been a tri-sport student-athlete, contributing on the field hockey, basketball and lacrosse teams for four years. Grace was recognized on the All-Academic team for field hockey in 2023. She received the Agnes Irwin Blue Belt Award in 2024, honoring a junior student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship in all of her athletic endeavors. Academically, Grace has received high honors each year. Varsity Lacrosse Coach Lauren Wray noted, “Grace is a phenomenal athlete who consistently displays the characteristics of selflessness, determination and work ethic you want to see in all student-athletes. I have been so proud of her growth and am excited to see all she accomplishes at Queens.” 

Sara Davis will play Field Hockey at Franklin & Marshall College. Sara received All Main Line Honorable Mention in 2023 and academically has received honors and high honors each year of her career at Agnes Irwin. Sara is an active member of the community, serving as a Co-Head for the Council for the Advancement of Girls and Morgan’s Message clubs. She is also in SALT, as a Head Tour Guide and participates in creating the yearbook at AIS. VarsityField Hockey Coach Nicole Gerdes said, “I find it unbelievable that Sara only started her goalie journey in 8th grade. She has grown so much as a teammate, goalie, and leader since I first met her and I am so proud of everything she’s accomplished. Sara has had an incredible career at AIS with over 350 career saves, eight shut-outs and a 78% save percentage in 2024 facing multiple top teams in the country.” 

Mairyn Dwyer will play lacrosse at The University of North Carolina. Mairyn received USA Lacrosse All-American honors and 1st Team All Inter-Ac honors in both 2023 and 2024. She was named the team Co-MVP in 2023 and was honored by USA Lacrosse Magazine as the Player of the Week in April, 2023. Mairyn has also contributed to the basketball and soccer teams at Agnes Irwin during her four years. Academically, Mairyn received high honors or highest honors each year. “Mairyn’s competitiveness and athleticism shine through on the field for us” said Varsity Lacrosse Coach Lauren Wray. “She is a multi-dimensional player with the unique ability to score, assist, and defend against some of the best athletes in the area. I can’t wait to see all she accomplishes at the next level.”      

Audrey Gelinas will play squash at Georgetown University. As a 2023-24 squash captain, Audrey was named All Inter-Ac in each of her three seasons with AIS. She was also recognized as a US Squash Scholar Athlete in 2022-2024 and was awarded the Carter Mannion Athletic Award for talent, energetic enthusiasm and leadership in 2021-2022. Audrey was named to the All-MASA 2nd Team in 2023-2024 and was selected as the team MVP in 2023. Academically, she has impressively received highest honors during each year at Agnes Irwin. Varsity Squash Coach Fabio Cechin noted “Audrey's impressive squash career began early, achieving a top 10 national ranking in the U11, U13, and U15 categories and winning numerous gold-level tournaments. Her contributions to AIS have been remarkable, including winning the Inter-Ac championship last season.”

Catie Holmes will play lacrosse at The University of Maryland. Catie has been an exemplary member of both the field hockey and lacrosse teams for four years at Agnes Irwin. She was a field hockey team captain during the 2024 season and academically, received high honors in 2022 and 2023. Catie is a Inside Lacrossefour star recruit for lacrosse and has been named on the Inter-Ac 2nd Team and received All-Main Line and All-Delco recognition the past two seasons. Assistant Field Hockey Coach Leo Carlin said “Catie’s hard work and unwavering passion is a shining example of what the pursuit of greatness looks like. More importantly, she exemplifies what it means to be a great teammate and leader through her support for her teammates and her caring spirit.” 

Ava Kennedy will row at Boston University. Over the past four years, Ava has developed into one of the elite rowers in the area and a prominent force on the river for Agnes Irwin. In spring 2024, she led the way in establishing the Varsity Quad as one of the top boats in the country by winning gold at the Mid-Atlantic and PSRA City Championship regattas, and placing 2nd at the Stotesbury Cup and 3rd at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America Nationals. This summer, she led the Varsity Quad to a second round appearance at  Henley Women’s Regatta in the United Kingdom. This fall she recorded an impressive 2nd place finish in the single at the Gold Cup Challenge and a victory at the Hidden River Chase in both the single and quad. Coach John Hayburn noted “The words that come to mind when thinking of Ava are tough, dedicated, and positive. All of these characteristics have helped make Ava a staple for our team these past four years.” 

Liz King will play soccer at Franklin & Marshall College. Liz is a four year member of the Varsity Soccer team and has served as a co-captain and starting center back for the 2024 season.  In the fall of 2023, Liz was selected to the All Main Line and All-Delco Honorable Mention teams. In 2024, she earned a place on the Inter-Ac 1st Team after an impressive season for the Owls. Academically, Liz received high honors or highest honors in each year at Agnes Irwin. She is an active member of the Agnes Irwin community as Head of the Service Council, Head of the Model UN club and as a member of the Honor Council. “As a captain, Liz led by example, inspiring her teammates through both her words and actions” said Varsity Soccer Coach Namit Deshpande. “Her voice on the field is unique. She can demand the best from her teammates and command respect in a way that few others can balance” 

Rowan Lawrence will play lacrosse at the University of Denver. Rowan was an important member of the 2023 PAISAA Championship team and the 2024 Inter-Ac Championship team. Rowan was named to the New Balance All American team in both 2023 and 2024. She was also chosen to participate on the American Select team in 2022 and 2023. Within the larger AIS community, Rowan is a Co-Head of the One Love Club, a member of PALS and the Positively Penny Club. She received high honors her junior year. “Rowan is a multifaceted offensive threat with the unique ability to both feed and dodge from the crease” said Varsity Lacrosse Coach Lauren Wray. “She is one of the most selfless players I have ever coached - both on and off the field. She has endless positivity that is contagious on our team.” 

Lucy Page will play lacrosse at Trinity College. Lucy has been an exceptional member of both the field hockey and lacrosse teams for four years. She was a co-captain of the field hockey team and received Inter-Ac 2nd team recognition in 2024. In 2023, Lucy was honored with All-Delco and All-Main Line Honorable Mention recognition in field hockey. In the AIS community, Lucy is Co-Head of the Positively Penny club and has been a member of the One Love and the Council for the Advancement of Girls. “Lucy always competes with energy, enthusiasm and a smile” said Varsity Field Hockey Coach Nicole Gerdes. “She never complains, takes coaching feedback and has provided excellent leadership for our younger players. Lucy will be greatly missed next season.” 

Rowan Pauzano will play lacrosse at the University of Rhode Island. Rowan is a four year member of the volleyball and lacrosse teams. Rowan competed for the Philly National Tournament team in 2022 and 2023 and was chosen as a member of the American Select Team in 2022. Academically, she received high honors and has been a contributor to the One Love club and Positively Penny club within the school community. “I have had the unique and rewarding opportunity to have worked with Rowan since she was young, and have been blown away by her athleticism and coachability from such a young age” said Varsity Lacrosse Goalie Coach Monica O’Brien. “In addition to her quick speed and reaction time in goal she brings positivity, insight, contagious energy and unwavering support for those around her.”  

Emma Tayloe will play lacrosse at the United States Naval Academy. Emma is a four year member of the varsity lacrosse team and has also contributed to the cross country and field hockey programs. In 2024, Emma was honored as a USA Lacrosse All-Academic recipient and earned 2nd team Inter-Ac and All-Main Line honors. She was also the recipient of the Pansini Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award in 2024. In addition to her contributions on the field, Emma is the Head of the Athletics Association and a member of the Honors Council and Disciplinary Committee. She has received high honors consistently during her time at Agnes Irwin. “Emma is an exemplary student, athlete and community member,” said Varsity Lacrosse Coach Lauren Wray. “On the field, her voice and anticipation on defense has been pivotal in our team’s success.” 

Gabby Turner will play squash at Haverford College. Gabby represented Team USA in Israel at the Maccabiah Game and has helped the AIS squash team to top rankings in local and national competitions. Gabby’s academic success is evident with her receiving highest honors the 2022-2024 and high honors in 2021-2022. Gabby is a member of the Athletic Association at Agnes Irwin and is the sports editor for the Wick. Outside of school, she serves as a volunteer for the Brandywine SPCA. “Gabby’s work ethic on the court has been her greatest asset,” notes Squash Program Director Fabio Cechin. “She models the sportsmanship we strive to demonstrate every day in AIS Squash and has made our team and coaching staff extremely proud the past four years.” 

As of November 13, thirteen athletes have verbally committed to the admissions process and continuing their sports in college, representing over 20% of the class of 2025.