Q&A with Mary Clare Easter: From struggle growing up to D1 Lacrosse at Coastal Carolina University

Mary Clare Easter, a soon-to-be lacrosse player at Coastal Carolina University, to discuss her journey from growing up in Glen Ridge to securing a Division 1 athletic scholarship. Mary opens up about her childhood influences, her struggles with confidence, the recruiting process, and how she navigates the pressures of social media. Here's what she had to say:

Q: Mary, thank you so much for joining us! To start, can you tell us a bit about your background? You grew up in Glen Ridge—what was your childhood like and what influenced your love for sports?

Mary: Thank you for having me! Growing up with three brothers definitely played a big role in shaping who I am today. Playing sports with them and their friends helped me develop a tough mindset and a love for competition. I was exposed to all kinds of sports because of them, and that really set the foundation for my passion for athletics.

Q: That's awesome! Was there any particular sport, outside of lacrosse, that you enjoyed—maybe something unique for a girl or something your brothers influenced you to try?

Mary: Yeah, actually! One sport I really enjoyed was floor hockey. My brothers and I would play it in our basement, and it was always a blast. It definitely added to my love for sports and my competitive spirit!

Q: That sounds like a lot of fun! Now, looking back at your journey, were there any struggles—whether socially, academically, or in sports—that you had to overcome? How did you get through them?

Mary: Honestly, finding my confidence was one of the biggest struggles. Between seventh and eighth grade, I didn't feel very confident, and that carried over into high school a bit. But once I got to high school, my lacrosse coach, Beth Lin, really helped me build that confidence. She provided me with amazing tips and support, and that helped me improve my game and really grow as a player and as a person.

Q: That's amazing! It sounds like your coach was a huge influence on you. Outside of your coach, was there anyone else you could lean on for support during those tough times?

Mary: Yes, definitely. My oldest brother, Brendan, was a big advocate for me in lacrosse. He played at the college level, so he was always someone I could turn to when I had doubts or needed advice. He reminded me not to let my doubts take over and helped me stay focused on improving.

Q: It’s great to hear that you had such a strong support system. Moving on to your recruiting process—how did you navigate it? It’s something that can be overwhelming for a lot of young athletes. What advice would you give to kids going through it?

Mary: The recruiting process was definitely tough and challenging at times. But one thing I learned is to always keep a positive mindset. Not every school will give you an offer, but if they're showing interest, that means you're doing something right. I visited a lot of schools to get a feel for what I liked and didn’t like. The key is to trust the process—everything happens for a reason, and eventually, you’ll end up at the school that’s right for you.

Q: That’s really great advice. You mentioned earlier that “everything happens for a reason.” Is that something you’ve believed for a while, or did that mindset develop through your high school and recruiting years?

Mary: Honestly, that mindset really came into focus during the recruiting process. I realized that, regardless of how things were going, I would end up where I needed to be in order to grow and become the person I was meant to be.

Q: I love that perspective. Now, dealing with sports comes with its challenges, and social media can add to the pressure. Have you ever received negative feedback from coaches, teammates, or even online? How do you handle that?

Mary: Yeah, I’ve definitely experienced some negative feedback from teammates, especially when things weren’t going well during a game, and there was frustration. People can sometimes blame others in those moments. As for social media, there’s always a mix of opinions out there. It can get overwhelming at times.

Q: How do you handle that negativity, especially when it’s coming from teammates or online? Do you confront it, or do you lean on your support system?

Mary: I’ve always believed in addressing things head-on. If a teammate is saying something negative or behind my back, I prefer to have an open conversation with them. I always tell them I’m open to constructive criticism, but it has to be direct and respectful—nothing gets solved behind anyone’s back. As for social media, if it ever feels like too much, I just take a break. I’ll put my phone down and stop scrolling—it really helps me reset and focus on what’s important.

Q: That’s really mature advice. Social media can definitely be a huge distraction for young athletes. Now, looking back, if you could give one piece of advice to your younger self—whether before high school, middle school, or even elementary school—what would it be?

Mary: I would tell my younger self that everything will work out and I will end up where I’m meant to be. I was so focused on the fear of not being able to play sports at the college level, and it held me back at times. But now I know that hard work and dedication always pay off, and my younger self would be really proud of how far I’ve come.

Mary’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, support, and staying positive in the face of challenges. Her story highlights the value of trusting the process—whether in sports, academics, or personal growth. For young athletes navigating their own paths, Mary’s advice about embracing the journey and not letting fear or doubt take over is something we can all learn from.