26 SportsUnion | MAY 2019
COLLEGE
Lacrosse
Early wake up calls, formations, staying up late studying. It
doesn’t really sound like the life of an average college student.
By Matt Ondesko Managing Editor
College students tend
to make sure they don’t
start classes until later in
the day. It gives them the
chance to sleep in and get
done what they need to get
done. Some college stu-
dents, however, start their
day a little earlier than say
10 a.m.
When attending the Unit-
ed States Military Academy,
students know what is ex-
pected of them. They know
they will be getting up
early. They know they will
have their military training
on top of classes and sports
if you are a student-athlete.
Still it’s a shock for those
coming from high school
and stepping right in to the
academy. They can be told
exactly how things will be,
but until they live it they
have no idea.
West Point women’s la-
crosse player Anna Orlando
(Lancaster) never thought
about a military lifestyle. A
standout on the Lancaster
High School lacrosse team,
Orlando was ready to start
her career at a traditional
college.
When Army came calling,
however, Orlando had to sit
up and take notice It’s not
often someone can get re-
cruited to a military school.
Orlando did her research
and decided the academy
was the way of life for her.
With a lot of Western New
Yorkers attending the acad-
emy it was easy for Orlan-
do to seek advice on how it
was, but until she stepped
foot on the hollow grounds
for the first time she had no
idea.
HumBling
experience
Getting out of the car for
the final time and stepping
through the gates for the
final time was something
that no freshmen, includ-
ing Orlando, could have
ever imagined. It was an
experience that she needed
to get used.
“My first year was defi-
nitely a culture shock,”
stated Orlando. “There was
a lot of new things going
on. I think I changed a little
bit since I got here, in a pos-
itive way. I think I matured
a lot. I think the experience
overall is a little humbling.
You get to meet great peo-
ple that have done so much
throughout their lives, it’s
a little humbling to think
of.”
Instead of getting thrown
right into the fire both ac-
ademically and athletically,
Orlando spent a year at the
United Stated Prep School.
There she was able to get
acclimated with military
life and the academic rig-
ors that go along with be-
ing a West Point student.
After a year at the prep
school, Orlando made her