Kevin Yan ’21 is a quick study whose relentless work ethic continues to pay dividends on the lacrosse field.
The recent Wardlaw+Hartridge graduate first picked up a lacrosse stick in the spring of his sophomore year. Just over two years later, Kevin has been selected as an Academic All-American and also will be representing the Chinese U-19 national team at the World Lacrosse Championships in Ireland next summer.
“Playing the sport I love for my own country has always been my dream,” Kevin said. “I'm really excited and happy after being selected to the national team. I'd like to thank Coach Lisooey, who has had a great impact on my game.”
W+H head lacrosse coach Dave Lisooey appreciates Kevin’s ability and commitment to improve himself in a sport that was new to him as a high school athlete. Although the pandemic wiped out his junior season, Kevin kept working hard and wound up leading the Rams in assists and points in his senior year. Kevin tallied 35 goals and 23 assists while also picking up 52 ground balls.
“Due to his athletic talent, he was able to have an impact in his first season,” Lisooey recalled. “2020 was going to be his breakout year, after he worked hard in the offseason to become a dominating offensive player. Unfazed by the events of 2020, Kevin worked tirelessly by himself and with several club teams to improve his craft.”
Kevin’s solid work in the classroom earned him the distinction of Academic All-American and he feels confident and prepared to study economics at the University of California Davis. He also will play lacrosse for the MCLA team at UC Davis.
Kevin looks forward to national team training camps later in the year, which most likely will take place in Florida. He enjoyed his years on the combined W+H/Union Catholic team and understands that greater challenges are ahead.
“I’m a shifty player, I love feeding my teammates, getting assists,” Kevin said. “I see myself as the quarterback on Wardlaw+Hartridge lacrosse team. However, since everyone is so talented on the national team, I’ll need to adapt to the other players’ pace.”