By: Carolyn Bernieri
For senior captain Jill Horka, lacrosse isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. Falling in love with the game in just fourth grade, Horka plans to continue her favorite sport throughout college. She will attend Boston University this fall where she has been recruited to play lacrosse.

Her biggest supporter through this continuing journey is her dad, Ken Horka. Mr. Horka supports his daughter’s dreams in every way possible. “He pushed me to be better than my best,” said Horka. Although her dad’s motivation has helped her improve, the most important key to Horka’s success comes from her dedication to the game and improving her skills; she takes the extra time to practice outside with her dad, review and critique the videos of games, and participate in club lacrosse.

Lacrosse is more than just a game to Horka and her teammates; it’s a family. The heart and spirit Westborough High School girls’ lacrosse has toward the game allows them to achieve the result of becoming district champions for four consecutive years.

According to Horka, the biggest accomplishment WHS lacrosse has had was beating Framingham, defending state champions, last year on their turf. Horka stresses that they won the game as a team. Now captain of the team, Horka is expecting another successful season and hopes to beat Framingham once again.

Lacrosse has been a huge part of Horka’s life and it has shaped her into the person she is today; her teammates have taught her how to cooperate and communicate with other people and her coaches have taught her how to take criticism and not become upset by it. Horka hopes to give back to the community by coaching at the high school level to teach students everything she has learned and to inspire them to excel at the sport she fell in love with.