TOW #17: Sophomore Sensations by David Rahme and Patrick Stevens

College lacrosse is the highest level of women’s lacrosse that exists today besides the national lacrosse team.  That means that the game’s biggest stars all take the field during the NCAA championships in May. In the latest issue of Lacrosse magazine, two freshmen stars were featured in the article “Sophomore Sensations”. The article about Syracuse’s Kayla Treanor and Maryland’s Taylor Cummings highlights what the world has seen from these two incoming sophomores, and what we can look forward to in the coming season. In “Sophomore Sensations,” David Rahme and Patrick Stevens aim to highlight and inform about these two rising stars by using direct quotes and strategic images.

The article’s use of direct quotes allows the authors to include information about each player, but in a creative way. In talking about Treanor, the article makes use of a quote from Syracuse’s head coach, Gary Gait, he says that “[Treanor] has the potential to be the best I’ve ever coached,” (44). Similarly, the article includes a quote from Coach Cathy Reese about Cummings’ nerves freshmen year. She said to Cummings, “‘What are you nervous about? It’s lacrosse and you’re awesome’” (46). These quotes work to supply essential information that makes the athletic journey of both girls interesting, but while also keeping the article informative.

Next to the columns of text are strategic pictures that draw in the eye, in order to grab the reader visually as well. The magazine had both Treanor and Cummings pose in the same athletic ready position in the shoot for the article. This enhances the imaging of both girls as tough athletes, and also adds to the comparison the two sections of the article have to both of these freshmen superstars. The pictures also work to draw the reader in, making them want to know more about these mysterious girls who look beautiful but dangerous all at once.

In “Sophomore Sensations,” Rahme and Stevens accomplish their goal, to inform the reader, and to even excite the reader to watch these two girls step on to the field this upcoming lacrosse season. As for me, I was excited to follow this years’ NCAA tournament regardless, but now I have two young stars I can root for, because I feel like I know them personally.

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