2008 Woodie Awards
Senior profile: Kristie Leggio
Bryce Evans
Issue date: 4/3/07 Section: Sports
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After a two year hiatus from the game, Leggio has come to Denver and quickly became the Pioneers' most prolific scorer in school history in just a season and a half. Beginning her collegiate career at the University of Maryland, Leggio took two years off before entering the Pioneer line up and setting a school record with 104 points last season and a single game record with 13 points in a game against Harvard last week.
"You realize as a senior that you are done after this," said Leggio of her final season in college lacrosse. "This is all you have and you want to make the most of it."
Being from a lacrosse hotbed in Bay Shore, N.Y., one would think that Leggio was born with a stick in her hand. However, Leggio was 12 years old when she decided to begin playing the sport that would eventually lead to her being recognized as one of the top collegiate players 12 years later.
"I didn't think that I would play at first, because I was really into soccer," said Leggio of her decision to join lacrosse. "All my friends were playing, so I thought I'd try."
Leggio would begin playing while in seventh grade on the Bay Shore High School junior varsity team, before being moved to the varsity team during her eighth grade season.
She credits the quick rise in ability to her high school's head coach.
"The coach of the varsity team in my hometown was a good family friend," said Leggio. "She helped me out a lot and pulled me up to varsity really early, when I was in eighth grade. Also, our assistant coach Laura Schuman [at Bay Shore H.S.] played for the University of Maryland and on the US national team. She was a huge influence as well."
With the help of her coaches, Leggio became a four-year starter at Bay Shore, while earning her team's Most Valuable Player award as a junior and senior.
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