News 12 Names West Morris Central H.S. Student 'Scholar-Athlete'

LONG VALLEY, NJ — West Morris Central High School athlete Kaitlyn Cronin was recently chosen the News 12 New Jersey and NJEA "Scholar Athlete of the Week."

News 12 New Jersey said that Cronin, the first athlete picked for the 2021-2022 school year, has achieved a 4.9 GPA and is a “varsity starter in both field hockey and lacrosse.”

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The news outlet recognized Cronin as well for her achievements as a CCD teacher and a clinic coach who works with younger athletes.

Cronin was interviewed by News 12 about her desire to coach the younger athletes, which she said began as “one of those girls being coached by the high schoolers” herself.

In her last lacrosse season, Cronin was sidelined by an ACL tear, a time she used to teach students with intellectual disabilities, which she called a time that gave her “silver linings.”

“Finding silver linings and looking to the bright side is really important, especially in high school when it’s such a stressful and difficult time,” she said.

Cronin is planning to return to the field to play lacrosse again in spring of 2022, and according to News 12 has “already committed to play lacrosse at Eastern Michigan University, where she is also slated to study Pre-Med.

See the News 12 Interview and recognition for Cronin here: https://newjersey.news12.com/scholar-athlete-west-morris-central-hs-student-kaitlyn-cronin

For more about the News 12 New Jersey and NJEA Scholar Athlete of the Week program, with nominations accepted for the 2021-2022 school year through May 1, 2022, click here.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.