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With so many influences contesting for adolescents’ attention, Alynn Phelan has decided nothing will outdo her focus on athletic competition.
Through her latest example of allegiance, the four-sport figure is literally looking to stick it to her foes, as she is striving to transform the John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School lacrosse team into a contender, with recent personal recognition helping her to believe she will become an even more impassioned leader.
“I have a busy schedule, but I don’t mind because it teaches me responsibility,” the 15-year-old said Friday at her home on the 2100 block of South Howard Street. “It keeps me away from any trouble and maintains my awareness that I need to fight for what I want to do.”
She has reserved consistent spots for lacrosse on that agenda for two years, furthering interest the then-eighth grader at Christopher Columbus Charter School, 1242-46 S. 13th St., initiated through a West Deptford Township unit. Completely new to the game prior to joining New Jersey-based friends for instruction, Alynn excelled early on thanks to her curiosity and the sport’s similarities to other pursuits.
“I thought it was easy to pick up because it’s kind of a mix of baseball and soccer,” she said of pastimes that she began, along with basketball and softball, through the Southeast Youth Athletic Association, Seventh and Bigler streets. “It brought out more of my competitive side, too, because I came in inexperienced and really wanted to learn.”
With numerous championships through the local organization, she capably played the eager beginner for the Garden State squad and earned roster spots on last year’s Access Lacrosse Under-13 and 14 teams, with the younger group winning the Wildwood-based Morey’s Pier Beach Lacrosse Tournament.
“That experience really gave me confidence going into Hallahan,” the teenager, who led the victors in goals, said of prepping for her Center City-situated secondary education site. “I went there ready to be a part of something new and exciting.”
Alynn selected Hallahan out of four schools, including The Academy at Palumbo, 1100 Catharine St., partially because the parochial institution would be fielding its first lacrosse team. Knowing her enrollment would secure tests against notable opponents, she again committed to absorbing every lesson and devoting her energy to garnering renown for the debuting lineup.
“Being new, we knew we were underdogs, but we didn’t go out there feeling inferior,” she said. “I knew, too, we’d be a work in progress, but I believed good stuff could come our way.”
The confident competitor suffered an injury during the March 26 opener against Archbishop Wood and missed two league games before returning April 8 against Sharon Hill’s Academy Park. With her team having failed to score in its first three games, the then-freshman entered Hallahan’s annals by depositing the inaugural goal in program history.
“I came close three times before that one, and I was just so happy to get us going,” Alynn said. “It’s always felt great to represent Hallahan, and that day made me especially proud.”
Though the young ladies valiantly competed in that road tilt and their other matches, they could not become acquaintances with the win column. Alynn, however, developed into a force, with 37 goals and frequent kudos from the opposition relieving some of the sting from the 0-11 campaign.
“I love the competitiveness of lacrosse, and I loved that we put ourselves out there and showed who we are, even if that couldn’t combine with any victories to reflect how much we care about playing,” she said.
The sophomore-to-be earned Second-Team All-Catholic distinction for her feats, an honor that shocked and humbled her. She experienced similar feelings June 3 when she tried out for the Under Armour All-American team at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Though she did not earn placement on the squad, even the opportunity to be among likewise fiery players thrilled her.
“I was around so many girls who eat and sleep lacrosse,” Alynn said of her late-spring chance. “With a lot more practice, maybe I could one day approach their dedication, but even if that happens, I’ll still have other interests.”
In addition to her stick duties for Hallahan, she plays varsity basketball and soccer, with softball chores for SEYAA and a Fishtown league giving her a quartet of responsibilities she would not part with for the world.
“I keep up with my school work, too, because nothing is more important,” the second-honors pupil said. “I especially like history because of how often it seems stuff comes back to repeat itself.”
With that in mind, Alynn hopes her team can avoid another winless season, but even if the losses mount, she will feel fulfilled as long as she senses progress. Whenever Hallahan claims its premier triumph, she hopes to be the winning-goal tallier, but more to show her commitment to the program than to play the hero.
“We can be a very good team,” Alynn said. “I have soccer and basketball season first, but when I get out there for lacrosse, I’m going to be a vocal leader who helps us prove how well a team can do when everyone works together.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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