ID GIRLS: Cassie Brunelle Signs With St. Mary's College

Bishop Kelly senior middie Cassie Brunelle has signed a national letter of intent to play NCAA Division I lacrosse at St. Mary’s College.

Brunelle inked with St. Mary’s during the early-signing period, and she will be receiving a partial athletic scholarship, a truly rare accomplishment for a lacrosse player coming out of Idaho. Brunelle said she also considered Redlands and Colorado College but opted to go with the Division I school.

“It was an opportunity I didn’t expect, so I couldn’t pass it up,” Brunelle said. “It just felt right.”

Brunelle is a three-sport varsity athlete who also plays volleyball and basketball. She said she began playing lacrosse in eighth grade and that the skills she learned in other sports, especially basketball, helped her pick up lax quickly.

When it came time to pick a college, Brunelle said her mother and high school coach mailed out multiple letters with her stats on what pretty much was a fishing expedition to see if there would be any interest. Brunelle then made an unofficial and an official trip to St. Mary’s to see the campus and meet various coaches.

“They’re building, and they’re looking for athletes,” Brunelle said. “The coaches were open and willing to take on anyone who is willing to dedicate themselves.

Brunelle added: “There’s nothing like a new challenge. The fact that I have so much to learn, and I can grow so much, that’s really exciting to me. I really think I can make my mark.”