Jerome Salerno '21 Recruiting Profile

Family is very important to me and I have been fortunate to be surrounded by many supporters and positive influences in my life. My parents have helped to keep me focused in academics and athletics, while allowing me the freedom I need to fail and learn from these failures.  Growing up, I always loved sports, but never felt a connection to any one sport in particular. As a result of this, I would generally finish out a season and then move on to something else. It wasn’t until my parents took me to a lacrosse clinic in the summer before my 6^th grade year that I immediately knew lacrosse was the sport I wanted to continue to play in school and college. The coaches at that clinic were supportive and encouraging and I’m still in contact with them today. They have also been a big influence to me in life, by teaching me flexibility, humility and the importance of giving back to the community.

Playing lacrosse has taught me how important it is to communicate, be versatile, and work well with others. I have carried these lessons with me in life both on, and off the field. My coaches refer to me as the technician because of my solid lacrosse IQ.  I’m quiet off of the field, but am always thinking and tinkering with how to improve my game. Last year I won best defensive player based on my performance. This would not have been possible without persistence and a willingness to accept my coaches’ criticism, which allowed me to grow as both an athlete and a person. In addition to lacrosse, I also made my high school golf team in my sophomore year. Playing this second sport also allowed me to bring elements like patience and calmness into my lacrosse game, which has helped me further develop in the sport.

My goals for the remainder of my high school career, are to remain in the top 10% of my class (or higher!) and to reach an even higher GPA. Hopefully, this will increase my chances of getting into the college of my choice, while continuing to play the game of lacrosse. My intended field of study is Mechanical Engineering, so I am aware that I need to continue to push myself academically