UPDATED: Dexter's Kerrigan Baird Commits to Grand Valley State University for Lacrosse

Editor's note: This story was re-printed with permission from the Dexter High School Squall. It has been corrected to accurately report that Kerrigan Baird has verbally committed to Grand Valley State University.

By Aman Mandair

Dexter Squall Staff

Dexter High School Junior Kerrigan Baird has long held a passion for lacrosse, joining the team her freshman year, playing for two years. And now Baird has committed to playing college lacrosse at Grand Valley State University (GVSU).

She committed to GVSU at the beginning of the school year.

“Grand Valley fit exactly what I was looking for in a college experience,” she said. “They have an incredible sports history and culture, paired with rigorous academics.”

Baird was also approached by a number of other Division 1 colleges, like Liberty College and the University of Massachusetts.

Talking about Baird’s success as a player, coach Mark Erber said, “She is a physical, tenacious, technically sound player, and her confidence on the field is a cornerstone for her teammates to build upon. Every second of every game she is ‘on.’ She plays whistle to whistle and gives 100 percent all of the time. She is a joy to coach and be around.”

Throughout the entire recruiting process, Baird’s parents have been very supportive of her decision. Her father, math teacher Brian Baird, for instance, said that he and his wife were working with Kerrigan on her decision for a long time.

“We have no real worries for her, and we are very excited for her college lacrosse program,” he said. “It was her decision, and my wife and I were her sounding board.”

Before entering GVSU’s lacrosse team in college, however, Baird is undergoing a rigorous weight training program.

“Currently, I am doing an extensive weight lifting program with my personal trainer,” she said. “We’re focusing on strength, speed, and power.”

In addition, Baird will receive an exercise packet from GVSU in her senior year, and this will give her a mandatory exercise program to do on a daily basis before entering the team in college.

“I’m not yet sure what the training regime will be like at GVSU, but I liked the program because of its reputation of excellence and flexibility with academic schedules,” she said. “GVSU holds a bright future, and I am excited to be part of it.”