Lauren Anderson '26 Presented With Archibald MacIntosh 1921 Award

Posted: Sep 21, 2023

HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Archibald MacIntosh Award was presented to Lauren Anderson '26 on Thursday, September 21 during an on-campus ceremony in the Bryn Mawr room of the dining center. The MacIntosh Award honors the Haverford College sophomore who, during their first-year on campus, emerged as the top scholar-athlete in the class.

Sponsored by the Societies (formerly presented by Beta Rho Sigma and the Triangle Society), the award honors "Archie Mac," Class of 1921, who served the College as coach, Director of Athletics, Professor of Psychology, Director of Admission, Vice-President, and twice Acting President during his long tenure at Haverford. Now in its 59th year honoring academic and athletic excellence at Haverford, the award was first presented in 1964.

President of the Societies of Haverford College Dan Gordon '90 served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Dean of the College John McKnight, Director of Athletics Danielle Lynch, and Bill MacIntosh (grandson of Archibald MacIntosh) also spoke during the ceremony. The evening concluded with women's soccer head coach Jamie Schneck and women's lacrosse head coach Katie Wertman introducing Anderson before Lauren accepted her award and gave a short speech.

Lauren Anderson '26 (Women's Soccer / Women's Lacrosse)
Bala Cynwyd, Pa. / William Penn Charter School

Lauren Anderson, a member of the Haverford College women's soccer and women's lacrosse programs, is the recipient of the 2023 Archibald MacIntosh Award. Anderson has emerged as a shining example of a student-athlete who has mastered the delicate art of balancing academics and athletics at a high level.

Her extraordinary achievements on the soccer and lacrosse fields during her first year on campus have earned her not only respect from her peers and coaches, but also the Archibald MacIntosh Class of 1921 Award. The MacIntosh Award, presented by The Societies of Haverford College (formerly presented by Beta Rho Sigma and The Triangle Society), has honored the top scholar-athlete in the first-year class at Haverford since 1964.

A native of nearby Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, Anderson arrived on Haverford's campus with a remarkable passion for both soccer and lacrosse. She wasted no time in making her presence known on both teams.

In her inaugural season with the Haverford women's soccer team, Anderson burst onto the scene with a standout rookie campaign. She quickly became a defensive stalwart in the midfield, rarely missing a minute of play throughout the season. Her 16 starts included a notable assist in the Haverford Kickoff Classic against Stevens. Anderson's remarkable debut season not only earned her recognition but also placed her in select company, becoming the first Haverford rookie to earn inclusion on the second team or higher since Kendra Griesman in 2016.

On the lacrosse field, Anderson was equally impressive, immediately securing a spot in the starting lineup as a first-year player. She played in 18 games, making 17 starts, and demonstrated her prowess by collecting 16 ground balls, notching two draw controls, and causing seven turnovers on defense. Her presence on the backline made her an anchor for Haverford's lacrosse team, showcasing her versatility and adaptability as a two-sport athlete in the rigorous Centennial Conference.

Balancing the demands of two rigorous sports and academic excellence isn't a task for the faint of heart, but Anderson has mastered it with finesse. She shared her strategy for success, saying, "The balance between two seasons and academics is not easy, but manageable if you are proactive. A strategy I have always used is planning weeks ahead by looking at my team schedule and class schedule. It's important to know when away games are and when bigger assignments need to get done. With practices, games, and class, there is an allotted time for me to plan out when my work can get done."

Anderson emphasized the importance of utilizing the resources available at Haverford, from attending office hours to seeking tutoring and guidance from older teammates. She also highlights the significance of taking breaks and maintaining a healthy balance, acknowledging that stepping back and taking a breath has allowed her to excel both academically and athletically.

Visiting Assistant Professor in the Writing Program, Dr. Jess Libow, recognized Lauren's dedication and enthusiasm both in academics and athletics, saying, "Lauren is a highly motivated student who is both determined to improve individually and enthusiastic about collaborating with her peers. I imagine both of these traits serve her just as well on the field as they do in the classroom."

"My parents have been instrumental in my academic and athletic success," Anderson said, expressing gratitude for her family's unwavering support. "My coaches, professors, and trainers have constantly been a support system while at Haverford. My teammates are a source of inspiration, and I can always lean on them to push me on the field and in the classroom."

Head Women's Lacrosse coach Katie Wertman commended Anderson for her exceptional ability to balance dual athletic commitments. "Lauren has done a flawless job of balancing being a two-sport athlete since the moment she stepped on campus," Wertman stated. "She has been able to see individual and team success in both sports without losing focus in the classroom. I know this is only the beginning of her achievements at Haverford, and I'm excited to see her continue to grow in all aspects of life."

Head Women's Soccer coach Jamie Schneck echoed Wertman's sentiments, highlighting Anderson's positive impact on and off the field. "In addition to being a great student-athlete, Lauren is just an incredible all-around person," Schneck praised. "She brightens up a practice with her smile and work rate, and truly brings out the best in others. On behalf of the women's soccer team, we are so proud."