Bethel Park lacrosse player to row at St. Lawrence
Sasha Henderson embraces change. That’s why the Bethel Park senior will trade in her lacrosse stick for a rowing oar when she enrolls at St. Lawrence University in August.
“I’ve been playing lacrosse for so long and I really love it,” said the 18-year-old daughter of Erin and Aaron Henderson, “but I’ve made a decision to do something different. College is a time to try new things and rowing will be a different experience.”
Crew is not completely foreign to Henderson. She rowed her freshman year. She also played ice hockey for eight years, excelling with South Hills Amateur Hockey Association.
She stopped skating after her sophomore year because lacrosse became her passion.
“Honestly, I would not have stuck with it if it wasn’t for the friends that I made. It’s such a team sport. Other sports have an individuality element about it, but every part of lacrosse incorporates the team aspect. You can definitely build friendships pretty easily by playing lacrosse.”
While she attended camps at St. Lawrence, Henderson said she never “felt the vibe” she experienced playing lacrosse at Bethel Park. However, the camaraderie existed among the university’s crew members.
“They were awesome people,” Henderson said. “They were so supportive of each other and seeing each other succeed. I knew then I had found what I was looking for.”
After her lacrosse season was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, Henderson did a lot of indoor rowing on a machine while Allegheny County remained in quarantine.
“It’s great exercise,” she said. “I realized I really like the sport. I really like being out on the water and outside. It’s tricky, but I’m excited to continue rowing in college.”
While she is undecided regarding a choice of a major, Henderson is leaning toward psychology and government as career tracts. She maintained a 4.0 GPA while attending cyber school. A national honor society member, she also belonged to Presidents Athletic Council at Bethel Park.
“I am excited about getting settled, but at the same time I am going to miss my friends and the support I have received throughout the community,” she said.
Henderson said she has learned much already that will serve her well in life and at the college her grandparents attended.
“I think in life you just have to have fun and be kind to everyone,” she said. “We all need to treat people with kindness and stand up for what we believe in.”