Name: Cayden Torsberg
Year: graduated senior
Hometown: Hinsdale
How long have you played lacrosse?
I started playing lacrosse when I was in sixth grade and I played for IGLA. It was for my WyldLife (Young Life) leader, she was my coach.
What do you enjoy most about the sport?
It's such a team-oriented sport. You can't be successful when people play for themselves - it's rather when everyone plays for the team. Believe it or not, it also has taught me several life lessons.
How has COVID-19 affected your high school career?
We didn't get a season last year and throughout this whole year, we've been trying to take whatever practice times we could get. A lot of times that would be 6 in the morning or 8:30 at night.
Do you have any pre-game rituals or routines?
Every game we link arms on the 30-yard line while the National Anthem is being played and we pass a squeeze down the line. I always say a prayer during the National Anthem.
How have you improved over the past four years?
When I was cut (from JV) my freshman year, I was beside myself and my coach told me to trust the process and that honestly was so true, because I went from playing on the freshman team my freshman year to being a captain on the (varsity) team my senior year. It motivated me and pushed me to become just as good as all my other amazing teammates.
What are your plans for next year?
I'm going to study nursing at the University of South Carolina. They don't have a team at my school, but I would love to play on some sort of club or intramural team if possible.
What has been most rewarding about playing?
I'm so happy and honestly surprised at the amount of relationships I've formed simply through playing Hinsdale Central lacrosse. It's truly a family and I can always count on any of my teammates or coaches to have my back in anything through life.
Why does coach Matt McNiff like having Torsberg on the team?
Her story of how she came to be an essential member of our program is quite awesome. She was cut from JV and played with frosh her first year. What she did to improve her skills and confidence is remarkable.
- profile by Pamela Lannom, photo by Jim Slonoff
