Daria Sciuttto makes her mark on the field

Daria Sciutto is a key player on Oak Ridge's varsity girls' lacrosse team, which has won all five of their games so far this season. Sciutto, a senior midfielder in her fourth year on the team, plays a key role both offensively and defensively. She's scored 19 goals, and her eight goals against St. Francis earlier this season either set or tied a school record for most goals in a game, according to her coach Nathan Hendel. Sciutto also has 10 assists, 13 ground balls, 10 caused turnovers and 17 draw controls. "Daria is the fastest player on our team and maybe the fastest player in our league," Hendel said. "She's pretty much 100 percent energy all the time. She plays with a purpose and wants to be the best. She's always out to prove something. "As a freshman, she struggled to get on the field. Her sophomore year, she felt more comfortable. She lost her junior year because of COVID, but has come out with a vengeance this season. Folsom Telegraph: After missing out on most of your junior season because of COVID, how does it feel to be playing lacrosse again this spring? Daria Sciutto: It feels absolutely amazing to be back on the field playing with my wonderful teammates. FT: What are your plans/hopes for after high school? DS: I am attending San Diego State University to play on their women's lacrosse team, and I plan to study Nursing. FT: What are your thoughts about San Diego State University, in general, and what are your thoughts about playing lacrosse there? DS: I am looking forward to play collegiate lacrosse at my dream school. I love the academic programs they offer, especially in the medical field. The campus is absolutely beautiful and I love how the beach is only 20 minutes away. I absolutely love their coaches, their training facilities such as the athlete's gym and locker room, and all the apparel that they provide us. Lastly, I am excited to live amongst other athletes in the dorms. FT: Do sports run in your family? DS: I grew up in a very athletic family that loves to play sports and attend different sports events. FT: How long have you been playing lacrosse and how did you get your start in it? DS: I have been playing lacrosse since fourth grade and I got started through El Dorado Hills' city league. FT: What do you enjoy about the game? DS: I love the competition of the sport, the speed of the game, and the accuracy. I love how lacrosse is such a mental game. When I am mentally prepared, my cognitive, physical, and technical skills are at their best. I love how lacrosse is a "team" sport and we overcome the defeats together and we embrace the wins as a team. FT: You are a midfielder. What are your responsibilities in that position? DS: My responsibilities in my position are to win the draw, accelerate with my speed, and excel at offense and defense. I also assist in scoring goals and play on both ends of the field. FT: A lot of athletes love offense and scoring. Do you? Do you also enjoy the defensive part of the game? DS: I absolutely love putting points on the board for my team, but I also love defending our goal, as not allowing the other team to score is important. I also really enjoy the level of communication that has to take place on defense. FT: How has the team been playing so far this season? DS: Our team camaraderie this year has been stellar and we have a really fast team. We excel on both the offensive and defensive sides of the field. FT: With no postseason, are there any team goals? If not, do you have any personal goals for yourself this season? DS: Our team goal would be to go undefeated this season. My personal goal is to continue to grow stronger as a player and be ready for the next level. FT: Have you ever been involved in any other sports? DS: Yes, I have been involved with other sports such as varsity soccer freshmen and sophomore year, club soccer, cross country, diving, gymnastics, and tumbling. FT: How is school going for you this year? Any major issues with your schedule or learning because of COVID? DS: School is going well for me this year, and I personally enjoy being back five days a week. FT: After graduating, what will you miss most about Oak Ridge? DS: I will definitely miss my friendships that I have made at Oak Ridge, some of the awesome teachers I have had, Friday night football games, school dances, and obviously my lacrosse team and coach. FT: Favorite music and/or artist? DS: I like a variety of music. FT: Favorite Food? DS: Pasta. FT: Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time? DS: I like to hang out with my friends and go to the lake. I really enjoy going to the gym and working out. I also enjoy practicing lacrosse in my free time and improving my skills. FT: What inspires you in sports? DS: Other dedicated athletes, learning from my mistakes, and our coaching staff who puts in the time and effort before the season starts with conditioning, throw arounds, and their constant coaching seven days a week. FT: Is there a particular job or profession you'd like to have someday? DS: I would like to be a nurse.