Ohio Wesleyan Junior Lacrosse Captain Abbie Grogan: A Leader On and Off the Field

Abbie Grogan is a junior captain of the Ohio Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team.  Her journey and success in lacrosse are inspiring.  Her leadership ability has been shaped by her family, hard work, and a passion for the game that began at a young age. Abbie says lacrosse is more than just a sport – it's a way of life.

Getting Started in Lacrosse

Abbie’s introduction to lacrosse came naturally.  She grew up in a family that was deeply involved in the sport. She says she couldn’t help but follow in their footsteps. Abbie shared that she grew up in Long Island where lacrosse was very popular and everyone in her family played. Leading her to decide to play lacrosse as well. This early exposure to the sport laid the foundation for her very successful career and love for the sport. 

From Player to Captain

Abbie’s journey to becoming a team captain hasn’t been without its challenges. As a younger captain, Abbie shared she faced the unique challenge of earning the respect of her peers, who were mostly older and more experienced.

“I feel I have to prove myself more since I am younger than the other captains,” she explains.

Despite these challenges, her determination and skill on the field have earned her the recognition she deserves. She is spot on with that. Abbie’s accomplishments are very impressive and inspiring.

Abbie has broken two school records as well as earned multiple honors, such as All-Region and All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) selections. Abbie was also named third-team All-NCAC in 2023 and later second-team All-Region and first-team All-NCAC in 2024.

She has been a standout performer on the field and someone many enjoy watching. Abbie is impressive and started all 17 games in both seasons and consistently ranked among the league leaders. In 2023, Abbie ranked fifth in the NCAC in caused turnovers per game (1.53) and seventh in ground balls per game (2.53). 

Abbie is the type of player who leaves it all on the field. Her exceptional leadership continued into 2024, where she ranked first in ground balls with 60  and draw controls having 94 in the NCAC. She was also named NCAC Defensive Athlete of the Week after her standout performance against Kenyon's women's lacrosse team. 

Abbie’s all-around performance in the midfield and defense has been vital to the team’s success. Not only do Abbie's skills speak for themselves but so does her positive attitude and work ethic. 

Leadership as Team Captain

Abbie shared that being named captain of the Ohio Wesleyan Women’s Lacrosse team is an honor that doesn’t take lightly. Her role comes with several responsibilities, including being accountable and setting the tone for the team. Abbie’s leadership approach is all about being open and understanding. 

She explains, “I try to be open as a captain and listen to the players because you never know what someone is going through,”.

Abbie's leadership style is a balanced mix of leading by example and using words of encouragement. Abbie is a very positive person and brings great energy wherever she is. Abbie emphasizes the importance of being supportive and setting a good example for her teammates.

She explains, “When I say something, I need to follow what I say to be an example and lead the team to do the right thing,”.

She also believes in the importance of communication when it comes to resolving team conflicts; she explains that most issues can be addressed through open and honest conversation, and she stays true to that when addressing potential conflicts. 

Abbie shared that the key to her leadership is creating a positive team dynamic. She works hard to ensure that every teammate feels involved and cared about. One of Abbie's favorite parts of the team is that the team regularly recognizes one another for their contributions. She shared that the team recognizes a teammate each week and each game who excels. The focus on camaraderie has helped create a strong bond between the players and coaches, making this year’s team particularly special.

Team Goals and Focus for the Season

Abbie, looking ahead to the season, shared that she and her teammates have clear goals in mind.

“We work hard each practice and have team talks a lot to emphasize the goals we are trying to achieve...Ultimately winning the NCAA championship, but they enjoy the little victories along the way,” Abbie explained.

Abbie emphasized that team chemistry has been a strong point this year, noting that the group’s ability to bond, laugh, and spend time together outside of practice has been a driving force behind their success. Her leadership ensures that the team stays on track but enjoys the experience. 

Looking to the Future

Abbie’s leadership both on and off the field has helped shape Ohio Wesleyan Women's Lacrosse into an inclusive, hardworking team that their opponents should watch out for. Her vision, work ethic, and dedication to improving each day have inspired the team and others.

Ohio Wesleyan Women’s Lacrosse is projected for another successful season. Cheer on Abbie as she continues to break records and lead her team. There’s no doubt that the Bishops are in good hands with a captain like her.

Conclusion

Abbie Grogan is a prime example of leadership, dedication, and passion both on and off the field. Her journey from a young lacrosse player from Long Island to team captain at Ohio Wesleyan was due to her hard work and determination.

As the team’s captain, Abbie has not only helped guide her teammates toward success but also created a positive, supportive environment that has been crucial to their performance.

Best of luck to Abbie and the Ohio Wesleyan Women’s Lacrosse team this season!