Emily Brogan ’22 entered The Wardlaw+Hartridge School as an athletic freshman who excelled in soccer and basketball but also played baseball and other sports growing up. She never dreamed that she would soon become an accomplished javelin thrower who someday would compete at the Division 1 college level.
The W+H senior made it official Wednesday by signing her National Letter of Intent during a ceremony in the school’s Admission Conference Room. Emily will continue her academic and athletic career at Bryant University, a Division 1 school located in Smithfield, Rhode Island which competes in the Northeast Conference. Emily was joined by her parents, Rich and Maureen, W+H coaches, school administrators and friends.
“I am beyond excited. I honestly never thought I’d be able to commit D1,” Emily said. “Just having the opportunity to do this in incredible. It’s a feeling you can’t describe.”
Emily first picked up a javelin in the spring of her freshman year and recalled the immediate thrill of hurling it into the air. As she continued to improve her form, longer distances made her more competitive. After losing her sophomore season to the pandemic, Emily continued honing her craft and enjoyed a breakout junior season during which she finished fourth in the State Non-Public B Championships to advance to the Meet of Champions. Her personal-record throw of 95 feet, 3 inches left her just over seven feet shy of the W+H school record, something she aspires to break in her senior season.
“I didn’t know I had the skills. I came in freshman year and just picked it and threw it and ended up throwing it pretty far,” she said. “It really is my outlet. It brings me so much joy. Throwing it is like getting all your anger out.”
Emily expressed gratitude to her parents, teachers and coaches for supporting her and providing the opportunities to excel in a variety of areas. She’s an extremely active member of the community far beyond the athletic fields, particularly within the realms of leadership and service. Emily is the school’s representative on the Greater Middlesex Conference Advisory Committee, which meets with athletic directors to share students’ views and work on student led initiatives, including the creation of an athletes’ code of conduct. She has accumulated 10 varsity letters in her scholastic athletic career.
“I’m really honored and I’m blessed to have the opportunities,” Emily said. “A lot of kids don’t have the same opportunities. Being here at Wardlaw+Hartridge is a blessing, so I’m really grateful, especially for my parents, for giving me all the opportunities and resources to be the person I am today.”