Introducing Maiya Swan, the next future ambassador of the Student Athlete World USA, Lacrosse Cup 2021.
Local Oasis Academy student Maiya Swan has been playing Lacrosse for seven years, since she was in fifth grade watching her brother Maximus play on the first Oasis Lacrosse team. A few months ago, Swan received an email from Student Athlete World informing her that a college coach had forwarded her game film to them, and nominated her as a good fit for the U.S.A Lacrosse Team. Before long, she was knee-deep in the application process and being interviewed. Two days later, she received a call saying, “welcome to the team.”
The new US team is made up of lacrosse players from across the country, including New York and Georgia, and includes players in grades ranging from high school juniors to college sophomores. The team will travel to Spain and Portugal for the 2021 World Lacrosse Cup at the end of June. There, they will practice together before the games begin. “I’m actually really excited,” said Swan, “hopefully this advances my Lacrosse career.”
This opportunity is a perfect fit for Swan, who loves to travel and wants to explore the world when she’s older. Two years ago, she had an opportunity to travel to Costa Rica on a student council trip and said she definitely wants to do a study abroad program in college.
As for the Lacrosse opportunity, Swan’s mother and the Oasis Academy Assistant Athletic Director and Lacrosse coach, Lisa Swan, stated “There are high hopes.” Two years ago, the U.S.A. Lacrosse team was undefeated and won the championship.
Swan will meet her team in Boston before flying to Spain, according to her mother. “Once they get to Spain, they will begin practicing and then may play up to four games a day. Last year, the team even practiced on the beach prior to games.
The United World Games will begin in Spain and conclude in Portugal. In the best-case scenario, 7,000 participants will be hosted with a grand opening ceremony and tournament games being held in the stadium. Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, players must also be prepared for a much more restrictive event in which the teams will play a series of matches within each travel group without the ceremony.
Although Swan is being recruited by Division II and III schools, her dream is to play Division I Lacrosse. However, she says she has always wanted to attend the University of Arizona, which does not have a Lacrosse team. Swan says he is open to whatever comes her way and will play club ball if it comes to that.
As a student at Oasis Academy, which partners with Western Nevada College, Swan will also graduate high school this spring with her associate degree in hand. Her mom has always coached her in Lacrosse, but she has also gotten to play volleyball for Shayna Byrd. She is looking forward to this experience and is open to where it may take her.
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