Meet Justine! Originally from Orlando, Florida, Justine is a dedicated lifelong lacrosse player whose passion for the game has shaped her life in countless positive ways.
Justine’s lacrosse journey began in elementary school, quickly becoming her passion. At Dr. Phillips High School, she was a standout player, competing alongside her older sister, Elyse. Her talent and dedication earned her the title of 2018 All-American, and she played a crucial role in leading her team to consecutive Metro West Conference championships in 2017 and 2018, as well as a district title in 2018. She was named All-Metro West in 2017 and 2018, and All-District in 2018. As a junior, she captained her team, showcasing her leadership skills. Justine also played club lacrosse with Storm Select in Orlando. During her senior year, her family relocated to Baltimore, where she attended Mount de Sales Academy (MDSA), excelling in both varsity cross country and varsity lacrosse. She was recognized as one of five players to watch in the southern region by US Lacrosse Magazine in March 2019! She was also named team MVP both in 2018 (Dr. Phillips) and 2019 (Mount de Sales). Her academic dedication was equally impressive, as a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar.
Justine continued her lacrosse and academic pursuits at Columbia University, becoming a two-year starter despite facing injury her freshman year and the pandemic her sophomore year. She received Ivy Weekly Honor Accolades and was part of the IWLCA Academic Merit Squad in Spring 2022. Her commitment to community service was recognized with the Paul E. Fernandes Community Service Award in Spring 2022, which her lacrosse team won under her leadership. She played a pivotal role with Harlem Lacrosse as head coordinator and Team Impact as a team leader. Her proudest achievement was the Columbia College Leadership and Excellence Principled Action Award in Spring 2021, awarded for her efforts with Harlem Lacrosse. According to the award recognition page, she “actively recruited special education students and those identified by school administrators as most vulnerable to academic decline and school dropout. Justine worked with Harlem Lacrosse to provide one on one mentorship programming, academic tutoring, and practice/game opportunities for young students from high schools in Harlem, NY.” according to the award recognition page.” This award is a such a great honor and Justine’s dedication to helping others shines through.
After college, Justine returned to Maryland, where she is now a portfolio analyst at Brown Advisory in Baltimore. She works with the portfolio management team to manage balanced accounts for institutional and private clients. Previously, she was an investment analyst at a middle-market private equity firm. While lacrosse is no longer her primary focus, Justine remains active, working out daily through activities like walking, pilates, outdoor running, rollerblading, beach volleyball, pickle ball, summer lacrosse leagues, and participating in a twice-weekly 5k run club!
Athletics, especially lacrosse, has profoundly impacted Justine’s life, instilling in her values of discipline, leadership, and community service. Read more about her journey and achievements!
Q: What sports did you play growing up?
My first sport growing up was soccer. I played for 2-3 years before I was old enough to place into the local Orlando lax league. After that, I was sold. Lacrosse was the only sport that I have officially dedicated myself towards. Unofficially, I played many sports in the backyard with my siblings, beach volleyball, tennis, etc.
Q:Was there anything that made you hesitant about starting your sport(s)?
Growing up in FL, lacrosse was not a common sport. There weren’t many local clubs, so it was tough to find a team that fit my age group. I remember by 3rd grade I was allowed to play with 4th and 5th graders, the scary older kids. I was nervous for my first practice, but I had my older sister alongside me and amazing coaches who grew to be mentors I hold dearly to this day.
Q: What female athletes (or any athletes) did you look up to?
Kayla Treanor was (and still is) a big inspiration to me. She has a unique style of play, extremely creative and loose. It reminds me to not take the game too seriously and not be scared to spice things up. It’s been awesome to see her grow from player to coach and see her thrive at both!
Q: What is your favorite memory associated with sports?
To choose one favorite memory is a tough task. My senior game at Columbia is one of my favorites (cop out answer because I can’t choose a definite #1). The joy did not lay in the outcome (Yale crushed us by too many points while it poured rain). The joy (while bittersweet) was in the journey that led me to my last collegiate game. Short term, I had battled back from a knee injury early in the season and senior day was my first game back on Robert Kraft Field. More importantly, it was a day for me to reflect upon the years of lax that filled my childhood and grew me to the person I am today. My family and friends were all in the stands supporting me. The game followed with a celebratory banquet for me and the rest of my senior class. Many happy tears were shed, and an immense gratitude shared.
Q: How has playing sports helped shape your life?
I reflect upon this question more days than not. So often I see the parallels between lacrosse and my job in finance. I work in a team setting where communication, discipline, and attention to detail are key. From an early age, I learned and practiced these skills everyday with my teammates and coaches. More than that, lacrosse has gifted me relationships – people I could not live without.
Q: What advice would you give to young girls who are just starting off in sports?
Sports are an amazing tool to exercise, socialize, grow in confidence, work hard towards a goal, etc. Most importantly, sports should bring you joy. Find that joy in what you do.
Coach Rachel 