Tymbree Hawkins fell in love with the Fort Lewis College women’s lacrosse program during an October recruiting visit.
The Durango High School midfielder will continue her career close to home when she joins the Skyhawks as a freshman next season.
“The chemistry they have is something I want in the team I’m going to play for,” said Hawkins, daughter of Denise and Ty Hawkins. “I have friends on the team.”
She will join DHS alumna and current FLC goalie Alyssa Spencer on the Skyhawks’ roster. “She made me really love lacrosse,” Hawkins said of Spencer.
Hawkins led DHS with 22 assists this season and tied for the team lead with 28 goals.
Her assist total ranked 14th in the state.
Those numbers also attracted interest from out-of-state programs.
Hawkins chose FLC ahead of offers from Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska and Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio.
“I don’t think I was ready to go away from where I’ve been my whole life,” Hawkins said.
She also will be following in her parent’s footsteps.
Both Denise and Ty Hawkins attended FLC.
“I’m very excited for her to stay home,” Denise Hawkins said. “I’m proud of her.”
Hakwins is joining an FLC lacrosse program coming off of its best season in program history.
The Skyhawks won a school-record 10 games and defeated Colorado College for the first time.
There could be opportunities for Hawkins to contribute early, too.
FLC lost six players to graduation this season, including the top four scorers in its history.
“I hope that I can prove myself as a younger player and make an impact,” Tymbree Hawkins said. “We’ll see.”
Hawkins is one of eight seniors graduating from Durango’s girls lacrosse team this year.
Seeing a consistent flow of talent to the next level gives the younger Demons something to look up to, DHS head coach Jenni Darlow said.
It also gives former coaches and players a chance to watch Hawkins at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.
“It makes them more invested – the underclassmen – to watch someone they played with a year ago,” Darlow said. “It’s really good for all of Durango lacrosse.”
kgrabowski@durangoherald.com
