Barrington teen getting national attention in lacrosse
Summer is a busy time for Serafina DeMunno (Saint Viator Cass of 2021) of Barrington. She had just two weeks off after her Saint Viator girls' lacrosse team lost in sectionals on May 22 to when her summer tournament season began with her club team, True Lacrosse.
In all, Serafina figures she will only be home two days in July between all of the state and national tournaments she is playing with her club team, as well as attending showcase camps and tournaments led by college coaches.
All this after she was named MVP of her team - for the second straight year - as well as East Suburban Catholic Conference player of the year, all-sectional and an all-state honorable mention.
Her stats from last season back it up: She had 108 draw controls - winning faceoffs - 95 goals, 37 assists, 68 ground ball controls, 3 interceptions and 48 caused turnovers. She also led her team to a record of 14-2 in the regular season and 15-3 after the playoffs.
"She is hands down one of the best athletes I have ever coached," says Suzanne Rich, head coach of Saint Viator's girls' lacrosse team and a coach with True Lacrosse.
"Serafina has been critical to the success of our team, and she continues to lead by example," Rich adds. "She is a team player and always puts her team first. Her goal is to play Division I lacrosse in college, and I am doing everything to help her make that dream come true."
This year, Serafina added even more accomplishments to her list, when she went out for winter and spring track seasons.
During the winter, Serafina tied the indoor record at Maine South in the 50-yard dash at 6.2. Outdoors, she was sectional champion in the 200-meters and qualified for the state finals.
"I called her the beast," quips track Coach Wayne Edelman. "She always brought a no-quit attitude and was a very hard worker."
Serafina discovered track in eighth grade, she says, and appealed to Athletic Director Jason Kuffel to compete in both spring sports at Saint Viator.
"Running just comes naturally to me," Serafina says, "and it keeps me in shape for lacrosse."
Lacrosse, however, has been her true love, she says, since she followed her older brother into the sport in first grade. She joined True Lacrosse in fourth grade and hasn't looked back.
Serafina not only plays midfield - where she covers the entire field and plays both offense and defense - but she also opens each game by taking the draw.
"I love being involved in every play," Serafina says. "I love all the running back and forth and just how fast the game is played."
Off the field, Serafina reflects her Viatorian education by serving others. She volunteers at St. Joseph Home for the Elderly in Palatine, working alongside the Little Sisters of the Poor. She also volunteers in the memory care and skilled nursing units at the Garlands of Barrington, and when she's in school, she uses her fluent Spanish skills to tutor other students.
"I love it all," Serafina says. "I'm just more productive when I'm busy."
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