Meet Kaitlyn! Kaitlyn, a proud Ocean Township, New Jersey native, is a dedicated teacher, coach, and passionate advocate for growing the game of lacrosse.
Kaitlyn’s athletic journey began at a young age in her aunt’s gym, All American Gymnastics. She competed in JOGA (Junior Olympic Gymnastics Association) and capped off her senior year with a win on floor exercise, showcasing a creative NFL-themed routine. Beyond gymnastics, Kaitlyn excelled in lacrosse and spent one year competing in track, where she placed 3rd and 4th in counties and Shore Conference for shot put. Her powerhouse performance on the lacrosse field throughout high school solidified her as a standout athlete.
After high school, Kaitlyn attended Drew University, where she majored in History and played as a starting defender for the Drew Lacrosse team. A natural leader, she served as a three-year team captain, earning the role from her sophomore through senior years. Kaitlyn’s accolades include being named All-Region and All-Conference during her junior year, as well as earning a spot on the Landmark Conference Academic Honor Roll. Despite an injury cutting her senior season short, she was recognized as Team MVP, received Drew’s Leadership Award, and was nominated to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Kaitlyn’s leadership on the field seamlessly translated into her coaching career. After graduating, she combined her love for teaching and lacrosse by coaching both lacrosse and gymnastics. She also became deeply involved with Swax Lax Lacrosse camps and clinics, gaining invaluable experience in entrepreneurship and product development while working closely with Swax Lax founder Laura Gump. Laura was a huge role model for Kaitlyn and she admired Swax Lax, a training ball company, in their passion to help grow the game of lacrosse. This hands-on opportunity allowed Kaitlyn to learn about patents, rebranding, and the intricacies of launching a successful product—a journey she cherishes to this day.
In addition to her work with Swax Lax, Kaitlyn contributed to Centercourt Lacrosse Club, which was started by her college coach. She played a pivotal role in the development of the club team’s tryouts and elite training programs, an experience that has greatly influenced her approach as a high school coach.
Currently, Kaitlyn teaches at Red Bank Catholic in New Jersey, where she coaches high school gymnastics and lacrosse. Staying active is a priority for Kaitlyn; she enjoys riding her Peloton and plans to return to CrossFit this summer. Through her dedication to coaching and her impactful work with organizations like Swax Lax and Centercourt Lacrosse, Kaitlyn has made significant contributions to the growth of lacrosse.
Read all about Kaitlyn’s inspiring athletic and coaching journey!
Q: What sports did you play growing up?
I played soccer, gymnastics, and lacrosse.
Q:Was there anything that made you hesitant about starting your sport(s)?
Honestly, No because I always had my twin sister doing everything with me! So at least at one frenemy on the field.
Q: What female athletes (or any athletes) did you look up to?
Mia Hamm she was a household name at my age with her soccer talents, and her passion for improving and making women’s sports popular. I would also say any Olympic gymnasts ranging from Mary Lou Retton to Carly Patterson to Shawn Johnson, they literally defy gravity but make the sport popular every 4 years. Gymnastics is tough but it’s fun and keeps you strong!
Q: What is your favorite memory associated with sports?
I would say when you and I were on the lacrosse team in 2009 and we beat Freehold Township and won the division. That was awesome! It was their prom to and we sent them home with a lost (LOL). Now that I have been coaching HS for a long time, it comes back how important a game like that was. No one missed games for the prom. You played and then went to the locker room or bus to get ready, and went all together, as a TEAM. This generation lacks those tiny moments of this is the last time you might play as a team with certain players and coaches.
Defying Gravity original cast was a favorite pregame song in college and the other was Taking It To The Streets by the Doobie Brothers. My dad would send me the link before every game to listen to. It became our thing!
My more recent favorite memory with sports was being in the Super Bowl halftime show with my lacrosse teammates at Drew in 2014. Not to be conceited but they called our AD and asked for the most outgoing female team. Welp, that was us!
Q: How has playing sports helped shape your life?
It has given me CONFIDENCE. I was the shy twin compared to my sister and most people would call me her name. Since college, I have made a name for myself and have become a leader as well. I knew I had it in me, but it took a few years to blossom. I thank my college friends and teammates for that.
My college coach left my junior year to pursue a passion for running youth training and development at Centercourt Sports. At the time, Centercourt was only a tennis company, and had branched out to soccer and lacrosse. Kim Christos is still the managing director, but when she started out in 2014 I remember being excited to be a part of something new and different from other clubs in the area. Her expertise at college coaching, and understanding development of players is what has led to Centercourt lacrosse club to be so successful all over the state of New Jersey. I was happy to be a part of the first tryouts of development of the club team aspect, and got to see firsthand how elite training for players is done. Working there, I have learned as coaches we want players playing all the time. Doesn’t matter what club or what high school team you’re on but need to be on the field. In North Jersey that concept thrives and players develop so well because it doesn’t matter who you play for it’s what you do on the field. I’m hoping that culture is starting to spread down here for the sake of lacrosse. With flag football being offered as a spring sport, I worry lacrosse will start to die down. But I will definitely not let that happen! Lacrosse has given me so much as you can see it’s because of the coaches and people that are involved in the sport.
Q: What advice would you give to young girls who are just starting off in sports?
One thing a time. I live by this. Focus on one step, whether it is cradling dominant hand for 20 mins without dropping, and 5 mins on the non-dominant. Breaking down every aspect of any sport will lead to clear results and improvement. I laugh because I tell the kids I coach baby steps, because sometimes you have to fix a cradle or a shot and it takes time to fix bad habits too!
Coach Rachel 