Syosset High School girls lacrosse captain Julie Shaughnessy arrived as a 100-pound 8th grader. Like boys captain Brody Waxer, Julie is headed to the University of Michigan and wants to pay it forward. That’s the Syosset Way.

His female doppelganger will be bringing her immense talents to Michigan from just down the block in Syosset to Ann Arbor, too. Both were varsity freshmen in 2022 while attending middle school, and now both will be Wolverines in 2027.

First, they have seasons to complete and milestones to reach, like both being chosen as “most athletic” in the Syosset High Class of 2026, as if their hood didn’t already know.

“We’re actually neighbors, which is kind of funny,” said Waxer. “It’s really cool, we’re both going to Michigan. I’m excited to be at the same school and see what we can both do at the next level.”

“[Michigan] was a dream school of mine —definitely my dream school,” said Shaughnessy. “I went on my visit, and just loved it, the girls and the culture, everything.”

“Julie’s love and passion for the game will really help her excel at that next level,” said Syosset’s interim lacrosse coach Jen Graham. “If you look at Michigan’s season, they’ve had a great year. They play a really fast, disciplined game. Julie will fit right into that. The beauty of Jules is that each year she gets better.

Like Waxer, Julie was also shaped by her early varsity promotion and navigating life on the field and in the locker room with high school seniors. Barely over 5 feet and 100 pounds, Shaughnessy managed to make herself into an All-County honorable mention as a freshman.

The three-time All-County and All-State selection, who recently passed the 250-point plateau, has improved her scoring output for four straight seasons.

“I had to be adaptable,” remembered Shaughnessy, “Everyone was so welcoming. I try to do the same, welcoming as the seniors were to me, trying to do the same for them. Just my way to give back to the program. It made me better in the long run. I was just so lucky and grateful to have the opportunity to play for a program that takes chances on middle schoolers like me.”

I think that “pay it forward” thing is part of our program,” said Waxer. “Whether it’s how we practice, compete, or treat younger players, it naturally creates that environment where you want to give back.”

Source: LI Press