NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Incoming Vanderbilt lacrosse student-athletes Josie Ward, Cate Bradley, Jackie Nuchow and Sammy Nuchow earned USA Lacrosse High School All-America accolades for their play as high school seniors in 2021. All four will be freshmen at Vanderbilt for the 2022 spring season.
“We knew that this class of incoming freshmen was an extremely talented group of young women on and off the field,” Vanderbilt head coach Beth Hewitt said. “What is even more exciting for our staff is to see that they have been recognized by the coaches in their area as the top lacrosse players in their regions of the country. It’s extremely important for us to recruit the best players in our state, as well as elite student athletes from all over the country. I love seeing our future Commodores dominate their regions, and we know that makes for an exciting and competitive fall on the Vanderbilt lacrosse field.”
Ward, a local product from Franklin, Tennessee, capped a decorated career at Franklin High School with a state championship and an 18-0 record in 2021. She scored 110 goals to go with 52 assists as a senior. She ended her FHS career with 300 goals and 81 assists. In addition to All-America accolades, Ward also earned Academic All-America honors as well as the Jackie Pitts Award for going above and beyond in her service to her team, school and community.
Bradley helped guide St. Stephen’s & Agnes School to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association State Championship in 2021. Playing attack, Bradley earned VISAA first team all-state as a senior. She was selected to play for the HLS select team and tallied 28 goals and led her team with 25 assists during her senior season. Despite no junior season, Bradley put up 125 goals and 73 assists in her high school career.
Jackie Nuchow earned All-America accolades for her play for Chaminade College Prep in California. The midfielder took home all-league honors, was the team’s Midfielder of the Year and 2021 Mission League MVP. In three high school seasons – freshman year at West Ranch High School; rest at Chaminade – Jackie Nuchow put up 119 goals and 83 assists.
Sammy Nuchow secured 2019 Mission League MVP during her time at Chaminade College Prep. The high-scoring midfielder played her way to all-league honors throughout her high school career. As a senior in 2021, Sammy Nuchow posted 38 goals and 25 assists in just seven games. She capped her standout career with 179 goals and 125 assists despite not having a junior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vanderbilt is coming off a 12-win season that included an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
