West junior Braylen Schmeelk has made her mark on the lacrosse field and now she’s taking her talents to the next level. Recently, Braylen announced her commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Arizona State University, joining one of the top programs in the country. We caught up with her to talk about her journey, her goals, and what’s next before she heads west to Tempe.

First off, congratulations on committing to Arizona State! What made ASU feel like the right fit for you both on and off the field?

The number one factor that sold me was the people. The people made the place. I felt a part of the community right when I stepped on campus and I knew it was where I wanted to spend my future.

You’ve accomplished a lot already at West Forsyth. What moments or teammates stand out as the biggest influences on your development as a player?   

I believe that my own teammates have made me into the athlete I am today. They push me to be a better person and athlete each day. Another moment was winning the State Championship. Seeing how important it is to trust your team and coaches really brings the team together, leading to a growth in maturity.

The recruiting process can be a lot to handle, especially while keeping up with schoolwork. How did you stay focused and confident throughout it all?  

The most important thing was trusting God’s plan. My prayer each night was, “God please close the doors that are not meant to be and open the ones that are.” I just constantly reminded myself that all things were in his hands and he wouldn’t put me through anything I couldn’t handle. Second, my family and closest friends kept me going. They were willing to drop anything and help me, and they were always sending words of encouragement.

ASU competes at the highest level in college lacrosse. How are you preparing yourself for that jump to Division I competition?  

I am a very determined athlete and am training everyday to be better. I lift and condition multiple times a week. I am also making sure that I am fueling myself right by eating the nutrients my body needs. Additionally, I am prioritizing rest. Training at a high level can be very draining for your body, and rest is extremely important in order to be able to take on the next thing.

Every athlete has people who’ve helped them along the way. Who has been your biggest supporter in your lacrosse journey?  

My biggest supporters have been my parents. If I needed to go on a last minute trip, they would do anything and everything to make sure that trip happens. This summer I was gone for 5 weeks straight without coming home. My parents were not able to work or do anything for themselves at home for a while. This just proved to me I have the biggest support system and I couldn’t ask for better parents.

Before you head to ASU, you’ve got two more seasons as a Wolverine. What goals have you set for your junior and senior years?

First, I plan to become a better teammate. No one is perfect and there is always room for improvement. I want to ensure that my team stays united and that each person on the team shows up for each other. Second, I want to leave a legacy. Playing for a State Championship team is very stressful. But, the main goal is to set our girls lacrosse team apart from other state championship teams by showing that we aren’t just good lacrosse players, but we are a united team, who love one another and are making each other better each day.

Beyond lacrosse, what are you most looking forward to about college life at ASU, whether it’s academics, campus life, or something else entirely?

I am extremely excited to live out west. It is a completely different environment from home and I am looking forward to starting a new chapter of life in the next 2 years.