How did Kylie Ohlmiller become a lacrosse phenom. What makes her playing style unique. Why is she considered the best player on the planet. How has she impacted Stony Brook’s lacrosse program. What are her goals for her senior season.
The Journey of Kylie Ohlmiller: From Spectator to Superstar
In 2012, a young Kylie Ohlmiller sat in the stands of Kenneth P. LaValle stadium, watching in awe as Northwestern clinched their seventh national title. Little did she know that this moment would ignite a fire within her, propelling her to become one of the most formidable players in women’s lacrosse history.
Despite facing setbacks, including an injury that left her without a college commitment, Ohlmiller’s determination never wavered. Her journey from an overlooked recruit to a record-breaking athlete is a testament to her resilience and passion for the game.
The Stony Brook Connection
While many top programs overlooked Ohlmiller, Stony Brook’s coach Joe Spallina saw something special in her. He recognized not just her skill, but her potential to elevate the entire team. This foresight would prove to be a game-changer for both Ohlmiller and the Stony Brook lacrosse program.
Breaking Records and Making History
Ohlmiller’s career at Stony Brook has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her achievements include:
- America East Rookie of the Year as a freshman
- IWLCA second-team All-American as a sophomore
- First Tewaaraton finalist in Stony Brook’s and America East’s history
- Breaking the Division I single-season points record previously held by Jen Adams
These accomplishments have not only put Ohlmiller in the spotlight but have also elevated Stony Brook’s lacrosse program to new heights.
The “Michael Jordan Factor”: Elevating Those Around Her
Coach Spallina often refers to Ohlmiller’s impact as the “Michael Jordan factor.” But what does this mean? It’s the ability to not only excel individually but to raise the level of play of everyone around her. Ohlmiller’s leadership and skill have inspired her teammates and transformed Stony Brook into a lacrosse powerhouse.
Leadership Beyond the Field
Ohlmiller’s influence extends beyond her impressive statistics. Her approach to leadership is rooted in action rather than words. She believes in “leading by example and not so much talking the talk, but walking the walk.” This mentality has fostered a culture of excellence within the Stony Brook program.
The Quest for a National Championship
As Ohlmiller enters her senior season, the ultimate goal remains clear: reaching the national championship. With Stony Brook set to host the finals in 2018, the stage is set for a potentially historic run. Can Ohlmiller lead her team to glory on their home turf?
A New Era for Stony Brook Lacrosse
According to Ohlmiller, Stony Brook has entered a new era of lacrosse. The program’s rise to prominence, largely thanks to her contributions, has put them in contention with traditional powerhouses. How will this shift in the lacrosse landscape affect the sport’s future?
The Unique Playing Style of Kylie Ohlmiller
What sets Ohlmiller apart from other players? Her creative style of play, inspired by her role model Katrina Dowd, has made her a nightmare for defenders. Her ability to score, assist, and control the game’s tempo makes her a triple threat on the field.
A SportsCenter Sensation
Ohlmiller’s flair for the spectacular hasn’t gone unnoticed. Her highlight-reel plays have earned her spots on SportsCenter’s Top 10, fulfilling a prophecy from her high school yearbook: “See you on ESPN.” How have these moments of viral fame impacted the visibility of women’s lacrosse?
The Impact on Women’s Lacrosse
Ohlmiller’s rise to stardom has had a significant impact on women’s lacrosse as a whole. Her dynamic play and record-breaking performances have drawn more attention to the sport, inspiring young players and elevating the level of competition across the board.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Just as Ohlmiller was once inspired by watching a national championship game, her success is now motivating countless young players. How will her legacy shape the future of women’s lacrosse? Will we see more creative, dynamic players emerging in her wake?
The Pressure of Being “The Best Player on the Planet”
Coach Spallina’s bold claim that Ohlmiller is “the best player on the planet, period” carries both honor and pressure. How does Ohlmiller handle these expectations? Her consistent improvement year after year suggests that she thrives under pressure, always pushing to outdo her previous accomplishments.
The Challenge of Topping Previous Performances
As Ohlmiller enters her senior season, the question on everyone’s mind is: How can she possibly top her record-breaking junior year? Her sister Taryn believes she will find a way, reflecting the confidence that Ohlmiller’s teammates and coaches have in her ability to continually raise the bar.
The Future of Kylie Ohlmiller and Women’s Lacrosse
As Ohlmiller’s collegiate career draws to a close, what lies ahead for this lacrosse phenom? Will she pursue professional opportunities? How will her impact on the sport continue beyond her time at Stony Brook? The answers to these questions will undoubtedly shape the future of women’s lacrosse.
A Legacy in the Making
Regardless of what the future holds, Kylie Ohlmiller has already cemented her place in lacrosse history. Her journey from an overlooked recruit to a record-breaking superstar serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere, proving that with passion, dedication, and the right support, anything is possible.
As the lacrosse world eagerly watches Ohlmiller’s final collegiate season unfold, one thing is certain: her impact on the sport will be felt for years to come. Whether she leads Stony Brook to a national championship or adds more records to her already impressive resume, Kylie Ohlmiller’s legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game is secure.
‘Good Isn’t Good Enough’ for Preseason Player of Year Kylie Ohlmiller
Among the 7,127 in attendance at the 2012 NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse championship at Stony Brook’s Kenneth P. LaValle stadium were two young sisters watching in awe as Northwestern earned its seventh national title with an 8-6 win over Syracuse.
The Ohlmiller sisters, 10th-grader Kylie and eighth-grader Taryn, who would soon play together at Islip (N.Y.) High School and later Stony Brook, took in the atmosphere – the packed stands, the deafening cheers and the sight of Katrina Dowd, a Northwestern alum and Kylie’s role model for her creative style of play.
Watching from her seat, Kylie Ohlmiller remembered the injury that sidelined her that high school season, which left her as one of the few without a college commitment. Yet the excitement on the field quickly brought her strength to recover ahead of an important summer, as she had hoped to get calls from the NCAA finalists.
“Watching those games gave me all the motivation in the world to get out there to play my best,” Kylie Ohlmiller said. “I remember looking up at the stadium and it being completely filled. I thought, ‘Wow. This would be a pretty cool place to play lacrosse out on that field in a national championship.’”
One of the first and one of the most consistent schools to pursue Ohlmiller was instead championship host Stony Brook, which will again host the final in 2018.
“I never really thought about Stony Brook until the chance came along,” Ohlmiller said. “I always had that motivation to get to the top. … [Seawolves coach Joe Spallina] took that potential that he’s always seen in me, painted out those dreams for me and just helped me and pushed me to reach those dreams.”
While she was the last player to get recruited from her Yellow Jackets club team, Spallina, who was hired ahead of the 2012 season, was happy to still have the opportunity to talk to her.
“I recruit a little differently than a lot of places,” Spallina said. “I don’t really want the finished product. I really enjoy the teaching part of the game and the evolution of an athlete.
I just saw something in her. I saw a kid who was overlooked and really loved and had a passion for the game. … I told her the first time we met that she was going to be star.”
“The Michael Jordan factor, as I always say, is that player who is really good, but can they raise the level of everyone around them? … When you look at what Kylie’s done, she gives every kid that hope.” – Joe Spallina
Ohlmiller now enters her senior season after already establishing a record-breaking career.
As a freshman, she helped put Stony Brook on the map as the America East Rookie of the Year, tallying six points each in upset victories over then-ranked Florida and Northwestern during a “storybook year,” as she described it.
In 2016, she became an IWLCA second-team All-American, leading the Seawolves in assists (47) and ranking second in points (91).
As just a sophomore, her high school yearbook prophecy – “See you on ESPN” – was fulfilled, making SportsCenter’s Top 10 in an April game against Johns Hopkins.
Then 2017 was a special year for Stony Brook’s No. 17. Ohlmiller was named the first Tewaaraton finalist in Stony Brook’s and America East’s history, earning first-team IWLCA All-American honors. She also broke the Division I single-season points record previously held by all-time great Jen Adams, who was the first recipient of the Tewaaraton Award in 2001.
Congrats to @StonyBrookWLAX Kylie Ohlmiller on breaking the @NCAA single season points record. Majority have been Sport Center worthy! #stud
— Jen Adams (@JenAdams_7) May 13, 2017
Each year, Ohlmiller improved. And this year, her sister thinks she has nowhere to go but up.
“You think last year she had such a great year, so how could she top that?” Taryn Ohlmiller said. “But in my head, somehow, she’s going to top what she did last year.
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“She’s the best player on the planet, period. Case closed,” Spallina said. “I may be a little biased, but her body of work speaks for itself. She’s not a one-trick pony. The leadership of K.O. is unseen, but she gets it. She’s vested.”
We’ve named the four finalists for @warriorlax Division I Women’s Preseason Player of the Year. Vote and read more https://t.co/2iPUHoynfj
CC: @BCwlax, @uncwlax, @StonyBrookWLAX, @MarylandWLax
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) January 3, 2018
Ohlmiller, Brine/US Lacrosse Magazine’s Preseason Player of the Year, is vested in “leading by example and not so much talking the talk, but walking the walk,” she said. “It would be silly for us not to say that our end goal is to be at Memorial Day weekend.”
With their personnel, says Spallina, championship weekend seems within reach, and according to Kylie Ohlmiller, Stony Brook has entered a new era.
“She knew coming to Stony Brook that Coach Spallina said it was more of a dream and not a reality,” Taryn Ohlmiller said. “Once she got here, she helped make it into a reality. … She wants to prove people wrong.”
Returning three 100-point scorers, including the Ohlmiller sisters and Courtney Murphy, the latter who broke the NCAA single-season goals record in 2016, the Seawolves now sit at No. 2 in the country in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Women’s Preseason Top 20.
“Coach Spallina says all the time we went from being the 70th ranked team in the country to now No. 2,” Kylie Ohlmiller said. “It’s all in tribute to how we worked every day.”
Going from the bottom to the top is mantra well ingrained in Stony Brook players like Ohlmiller.
Realizing she lacked soccer skills, thanks to the honesty of her mother, Colette, who played the sport at Lynn University, led to a love of lacrosse.
Being the last to be recruited in high school led to being Stony Brook’s first Tewaaraton finalist thanks to the extra time she invested in improving.
