OUR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK COMMUNITY PARTNER
Each week, Monitor staff selects and interviews a local Athlete of the Week. Learn more about their accomplishments, their goals and what makes them unique. We’d like to thank our sponsor Capital City Kia.
Our partners do not participate in the selection of these athletes. That is fully at the discretion of our journalists.
Bow High junior girls lacrosse goalie Gianna Trott was the only local player named an All-American from the Concord region recently.
Trott has notched 344 saves through her first three seasons with the Falcons, stopping 53% of the shots she’s faced over that time. Her per-season save percentage has increased year over year, reaching a career-best 60% this spring despite occasionally encountering Division I and II competition. Trott was named the defensive MVP her freshman year and made the Division III all-state first team her sophomore year.
She only improved this past season.
Falcons head coach Chris Raabe described Trott as one of the hardest-working and most positive players. Raabe said Trott’s attention to detail and time spent on film study have been crucial to her improvement. On top of that, she never flinches and never complains about taking shots straight to the body.
“An absolute pleasure to coach and loves the challenge of being a goalie. Gianna is the total package and a coach’s dream goalie,” Raabe said.
Trott’s ability to control rebounds, anticipate shots and fakes, carry the ball, clear and position herself helped Bow reach the D-III state final as top seed in early June, eventually dropping an 18-8 decision to No. 3 St. Thomas. Regardless of that result, the Falcons have gone 46-9 with Trott in goal and have one more season left with her anchoring their net.
Despite the adverse result in the final, Trott’s contributions game-to-game have not gone unnoticed. The rising senior was named a unanimous first-team player in her division and among 10 athletes from around the state on the All-American list.
The first question this week comes from last week’s athlete, Bishop Brady field hockey and softball standout Ava Archambault.
Q: What makes you stand out from a group of athletes? – Ava Archambault, Bishop Brady field hockey and softball
One thing I believe that separates me from other athletes is how I handle pressure. Going to a total of six semifinals and two championships in my high school career, I’ve had plenty of it, and the mindset I like to have is pressure is a privilege. When you take away the stress of needing to win or feeling like you have something to lose and just playing in the reality that it’s a privilege to be playing, let alone in the final four or championship, I am able to calm my mind, be in the moment and enjoy the game.
Q: What was it like to get over the semifinal hump this year and compete for a championship?
A: It was a journey for my team to get to the championship, but this year’s team had the most chemistry than any team I’ve been on. We shared a special bond that carried us all the way to the final game. We had our bumps in the road, but we also had a lot of highs which ultimately carried our teams energy into playoffs where we wanted the championship more than anything. I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of such an amazing group, and it was truly an honor and privilege to share that journey together.
Q: How do you stay focused in goal?
A: One thing I like to remind myself in goal is to control the controllables, Such as keeping my defense’s heads up and my mindset in check, as well. Focusing on the basics of “see the ball, save the ball” really helps me in tight games.
Q: How do you work with your defense to keep opponents at bay?
A: One thing I’m a strong believer in is chemistry. The minute preseason, hits I’m trying to get close with my defense and create that bond which will translate in a game. Knowing we can trust and read each other really helps when facing our opponents.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to a young goalkeeper?
A: One piece of advice I would give to young goalkeepers is to not try to replicate other goalies. Every goalie has a different style of play, and no save is the same. Trying to find your own groove and style is important, and that might not come to you right away and that’s alright.
A: You are a three-sport athlete. How do you balance school and sports throughout the year?
A: I am not perfect, and balancing school, sports, a job and recruiting is not easy; however the people around me make it easier to show up everyday and try to find a balance in something that’s heavy. I have a bible verse on my helmet that serves as a reminder for me. Philippians 4:13 — I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.