Guilford Natives Receive USA Lacrosse D1 Preseason All-American Honors

GUILFORD, CT — USA Lacrosse has announced its 2025 Division 1 Women's Preseason All-Americans and honorable mentions, and included are two Guilford natives.

Maddie Epke, a junior who attends James Madison University, was named a First Team All-American at the draw position.

A graduate of Guilford High School, Epke is currently third in all-time draw controls in JMU history (250) and 19th in school history in assists (51), according to her player profile.

She also holds the single-season record for most draw controls (2024, 178) and the single-game draw control record (19 at Richmond on April 3, 2024).

MJ Santa Barbara, a sophomore who attends Elon University, is also a GHS graduate and a draw; she received honorable mention from USA Lacrosse.

Santa Barbara is coming off one of the greatest freshman seasons in Elon women's lacrosse and Coastal Athletic Conference history at the draw, according to the university. Her 8.88 draw controls per game were the most in the country for a freshman and ranked No. 7 nationally.

She broke Elon's single-game draw control record with 15 in a win over Monmouth last year, and she helped lead the Phoenix to the CAA semifinals.

The two players were teammates in Guilford and captured multiple state titles during their tenures as Grizzlies.

Overall, 76 players from 31 teams were honored as Preseason All-Americans and honorable mentions.