Old Lyme’s Chase Gilbert Directs Gatorade Grant to Ticks Lacrosse

OLD LYME, CT – Lyme-Old Lyme High School graduate Chase Gilbert has directed a $1,000 Gatorade Community Grant to Ticks Lacrosse, a local youth program she says helped her develop the endurance and speed that launched a successful running career.

Gilbert, recently named Connecticut’s Girls Track & Field Player of the Year by Gatorade, selected the nonprofit Connecticut River Lacrosse Club, Inc., known as Ticks Lacrosse, as the recipient of the grant. The award is part of the Gatorade Player of the Year Community Grant initiative, which allows state winners to donate funding to youth-focused nonprofit sports organizations of their choice.

Although best known for her accomplishments in distance running, Gilbert played with Ticks Lacrosse for five seasons after joining the program in fourth grade.

“Playing as a midfielder in lacrosse helped lead me to my running career because I found out that I had good endurance and speed,” Gilbert said in a statement.

Ticks Lacrosse President Alex Strekel thanked Gilbert for selecting the organization.

“We are honored to be the recipient of this generous grant,” Strekel said. “Chase represents the kind of mental toughness, work ethic, and leadership we believe lacrosse instills in all who play it.”

The honor marks the second Gatorade Player of the Year award for Gilbert. After being named Connecticut Girls Cross Country Player of the Year last fall, she directed a separate $1,000 grant to the Lyme Youth Service Bureau’s Run Like a Girl program, which encourages girls to build confidence through running and other activities.

Gilbert concluded her high school track and field career with a standout senior season, winning Class S championships in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter races and capturing State Open and New England titles in the 1,600 meters. She also competed at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals, where she recorded personal bests in both the 800 meters and the mile.

She finished her high school career ranked 64th nationally in the 800 meters with a time of 2:08 and 31st in the mile with a time of 4:44.

Gilbert, who graduated high school this spring, will continue her cross country and track and field career at the University of Virginia.

Each year, Gatorade State Player of the Year recipients receive a grant to donate to an organization of their choice. According to Gatorade, the program has distributed more than $6.4 million to more than 2,200 organizations nationwide.