Raegan W.
"Through being one of Coach John’s athletes to working for his family restaurant, I learned that every setback is a setup for a comeback."
During my high school athletic career I had the honor of being coached andmentored by John Singleton. I had aspirations of playing Division 1 Lacrosse, but did not start playing till freshman year. Coach John was the only coach who heard me when I said I wanted to play Division 1. He was the coach that
pushed me and gave me the confidence to achieve that goal. I played varsity lacrosse my four years at Waubonsie Valley High School. During those four years I earned all state honors 2016-2018, MVP all four years, team captain 2016-2018, as well as being top 5 in every offensive and defensive stat category in the state. In 2017 and 2018 I was voted best attacker in the conference and set all of the current assists, ground balls, caused turnovers, draws taken, and draws won at Waubonsie Valley and previously held the goal record until 2024. In 2016 I was invited to play at the Brine All American Tournament for Team Illinois and was voted to play in the All
American All Star Game. John Taught me to take any opportunity, I was a midfielder but the All Star Team needed one more defender to start. I decided
to take the opportunity and in the first play I intercepted a pass and transitioned the ball down for an assist. I left the Tournament a Brine 2016 All
American. I won the NCTV play of the month award and that same month, I won Waubonsie Valley April Athlete of the month after scoring my 100th goal.
In 2017 I was invited to play for the AIST Team USA U19 women's lacrosse team in the 2017 UK Laxfest in Scotland and London, at the end of the trip I won MVP of the UK Laxfest tournament! After high school I went on to play Division 1 Lacrosse and do ROTC at Saint Francis University Loretto, PA on scholarship with an Army ROTC National Scholarship.
Coach John is the reason I made it through my first year of college being in ROTC, balancing school, and a D1 sport. Coach was always there to lend advice and would keep training me during breaks. My first semester I remember calling him and explaining that I loved playing lacrosse, but after college I wanted to ride horses. I grew up riding and it was my dream to be a professional show jumper. Coach John told me that if that is what I wanted to do then I could find a way to make it happen. 6 years after that conversation, Iam currently a full time professional equestrian at a top level show barn. I signed with a saddle sponsor and a clothing sponsor.
John was the coach I needed in high school and he helped me find my love for coaching. My first year as a JV head coach I called John almost every day. He
was the coach I wanted to be and he became my mentor. Now I am the Head Varsity Coach for the Saint Viator Girls Program. We finished top 15 my first season as Head Coach. John taught me how to be fun while also holding athletes to a high standard and not allowing them to give up. He taught me how to show up and be accountable not only for myself but for others too. John made me a better athlete, coach, and above all a better person. I will forever be grateful for the life lessons I learned while training with John.