There is energetic. There is determined. And then there is Sam Swart. The lacrosse athlete is hard to keep up with, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Swart had a stellar lacrosse career at Syracuse, posting 147 goals over the last five years. She made the Tewaaraton watch list, playing a pivotal role during SU's run to the national championship.

She has a busy schedule, but always makes time for wall ball, because she has to stay sharp. The World Games are just around the corner.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be honest. I’ve always wanted to be a part of that team. It’s a great opportunity, and I look forward to it every time I get to step on the field with them," Swart said.


What You Need To Know

  • Sam Swart has spent the last five years on SU's lacrosse team

  • She exhausted her eligibility for lacrosse, but that doesn't mean her time has ended at Syracuse

  • Swart will play midfield for the field hockey team this fall

Next month, Swart will represent team USA at the World Games, which brings together the world’s best athletes every four years.

“With USA games, you get to play different types of teams, different countries. It’s pretty awesome," Swart said.

She bleeds blue and orange.

“There’s Kayla Treanor. She’s won many awards. Here is my locker. It’s emptied out because I’m leaving," she said as she gave a little tour. She’s not going far.

“It’s funny because here’s the field hockey locker room, right next to this locker room. It’s perfect," Swart said.

She has exhausted her lacrosse eligibility, so she’s switching one stick for another.

“I was like, 'wow, you’re really athletic,' said Kimber Hower, SU goalkeeper. "It’s really impressive because after how many years of playing another sport, it’s really difficult to adjust. The fact that she can do it so seamlessly says a lot about her athletic ability and her character."

“If there’s a kid that can do it, it’ll be Sam. I’m pumped to watch her next year," said Sam McKenna, an SU senior attack.

She made the announcement on Instagram, writing "lucky for me, this is not a goodbye to Syracuse,' and she’s "beyond thankful" to join the field hockey family.

“It’s been on my mind since I was really young, the little girl inside of me is screaming, 'let's go Sam," Swart said.

The Lacrosse Unlimited athlete has been playing since second grade, and never really put the stick down.

“I’ve never really lost that passion for field hockey," Swart said.

She’ll even play the same position — midfield — but there are some very clear differences between the sports.

“Lacrosse, we’re up here, making moves low and being physical down low instead of being high, so I think that’s going to be the biggest challenge, is transitioning my game from high to low," Swart said.

From one perennial power to another, Swart is joining a team that made the Elite 8 last year, and won a national championship in 2015 under Ange Bradley.

“We came so close in lacrosse. Having a coach like Ange, I feel like she can bring this team a national championship. That’s why I joined this team," Swart said.