Ellie Traggio ’22 is a four-year Senior and co-captain of the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team. Traggio also plays on the Girls Varsity Soccer and Girls Varsity Hockey teams. She will continue her lacrosse career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Ellie is an all around player,” said Kathryn Wilson ’23, who is a teammate. “Ellie has been a great captain, as she’s taught me the importance of humility in being a team player.”
What are your favorite memories playing Varsity Lacrosse at Hotchkiss?
My favorite memory with the lacrosse team here is probably the water balloon fight our team had this year after our win against Westminster. It was almost 95 degrees and we had just played a great game, so it was very rewarding to have some fun and be silly with my team!
In what ways has playing on the team shaped your Hotchkiss experience?
This team has had such a big impact on my experience at Hotchkiss for many different reasons. The first is that I absolutely love everyone on it, and I’ve never had so much fun with a group of girls before — we really are a family. The second being that my mom is one of the coaches and I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity to play for her.
What has your experience as a captain been like? What have been some of your favorite moments?
Being a captain this year has been so fun. It’s been one of my dreams since I was a little girl growing up around my mom’s team, so I feel very honored to share the title with two of my best friends. I’m so proud of everything our team has accomplished this year not only on the field, but also the environment we’ve cultivated makes our experience on the field even more enjoyable.
Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?
I can’t really say that I have one biggest inspiration, but I definitely think my family has inspired me most out of everything. My parents have always been so supportive of my brothers and me, and this has motivated me throughout my childhood until now.
What advice would you give to current and future athletes?
I would say to enjoy your sport as much as you can while still working hard at your goals. It’s really easy to get caught up in all the negatives of sports, but with the right attitude, you can find the happy medium between fun and grind.
What have you learned by being a tri-varsity athlete?
Being a tri-var athlete has made my time at Hotchkiss so much fun! I’ve found three different families within the Hotchkiss community who offer me support and love, and bring joy to my life. I’m so thankful to have been able to be a part of all three teams.
What are you most excited about playing at UNC?
The thing that I’m most excited for next year is probably the opportunity to play on such an incredible team. I can’t wait to play for some of the best coaches and with some of the most talented players in the country.
