JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ryann Frechette set goals going into high school that didn’t seem realistic. By the time Frechette was done at Bartram Trail, her accomplishments themselves didn’t seem realistic.
Frechette, the two-time All-News4JAX girls lacrosse player of the year, left that seismic of an impact across the sport. Her career is unlikely to be matched any time soon … or at all.
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Not only did Frechette nail down numerous awards and set state scoring records, she became the face of the nascent name, image and likeness conversation and led Bartram Trail to four of the best lacrosse years in area history.
“I mean, that was my goal going into high school was to just leave a huge impact. I have really high expectations for myself, and I set goals before I’d even gotten to high school,” Frechette said. “So, I would like to think that I’m looked at one of those leaders and positively and just as someone who grew the sport.”
Frechette’s body of work stands among the best of any athlete across the major team sports in area history.
According to the National Federation of High School Associations, Frechette’s 464 career goals rank third nationally behind Sophia Turchetta (540 from 2013-16 at The Bromfield School in Harvard, Massachusetts) and Morgan Day (469 from 2012-15 at Kennard-Dale High School in Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania). She scored 114 this season.
Frechette’s career goal total is 79 higher than the previous state record holder, Winter Springs’ Anne L’Heureux (2010-13). Frechette racked up two Miss Lacrosse honors and was a four-time USA Lacrosse All-American. She signed with the University of Florida.
But the team success is what elevates Frechette to another level.
The area had seen one school win a state championship before Frechette started high school — Bartram Trail in 2016. That number still stands at one school, but the total titles now sit at four. Frechette led the Bears to three straight championships, becoming one of the best programs of the major team sports in area history.
“It’s just surreal. I came into high school with a goal of winning a state championship,” she said. “And that’s what I did. But I never expected to win three.”
How’d the area’s best lacrosse player get her start? Through her siblings, naturally.
The youngest of three children, Frechette watched her brother Reece and sister Julia compete in lacrosse throughout their lives. Separated by six and seven years, Frechette was in elementary school when she first remembers watching their games from the stands. That eventually led to wanting to be involved the sport. Julia played in college at Jacksonville University and Reece wound up running cross country at Stetson.
“I just kind of picked up a stick and was playing around during halftime of their tournaments, just passing around with my dad a lot,” she said.
By the time Frechette got to Bartram, she was a known entity in the lacrosse. She set two goals as a freshman — to win a state championship and to score 100 goals. Frechette scored 121 goals that year. The championship goal was scuttled when Frechette tore her ACL during practice before the state semifinal game against Vero Beach. The Bears lost 8-7.
They haven’t lost a playoff game since, including a 10-8 win over Tampa Plant in the 2A title game this year.
“I wasn’t sure was attainable, but I knew my position was going to be attack, and my job is to score,” she said. “And so having that goal just pushed me super hard the whole season to reach it, which I think is super important about setting goals as they keep you motivated.”
The other impact of the Frechette story came off the field. She gave the NIL discussion in high school a face for the mission to allow high school athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness while still in high school. Frechette’s pursuit was brought up by the board of directors last June when it finally cleared the way for NIL here. Frechette was the first athlete in Florida to take her NIL case to the association, petitioning in December 2022 to allow her to accept an NIL contract with sports equipment manufacturer, STX.
She was denied by the FHSAA at a sectional appeal that December and again at a final appeal in February 2023. But Frechette and her parents presented such a strong case that FHSAA board member Trevor Berryhill referenced during the pivotal vote.
Talk about leaving a legacy.
“My only goal was to make it possible for the younger girls and boys out there. I think it is a huge step,” she said. “And it’s just so cool to see it grow. And it’s been so cool to see what other states have done with their high school athletes, and I just can’t really wait to see it here with our athletes.”
All-News4JAX girls lacrosse team
Player, school, Class
Emily Barnette, Bartram Trail, Jr.
Second-leading scorer for the three-time state champion Bears. Had 69 goals and 29 assists. Has scored 101 goals in 2 seasons.
Esa Brenneman, Bartram Trail, Fr.
Next in line for area lacrosse stardom. Breakout first season (54 goals, 33 assists) with her final 5 goals of the year coming against Plant in the state championship game.
Natalie Charyak, Creekside, Sr.
Best season of her career came after recovering from back injury. Midfielder had 77 goals, 24 assists and 54 draw controls for Knights. Scored 140 goals in final two seasons. Kennesaw State signee.
Ashley Cotter, Tocoi Creek, So.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection. USA Lacrosse All-American. Scoring machine had 112 goals, 38 assists for 13-7 Toros. Had 89 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers and 150 draw controls. Has 164 goals, 52 assists in career.
Ryann Frechette, Bartram Trail, Sr.
The most decorated player in area history. Two-time All-News4JAX player of the year and Miss Lacrosse. Wrapped up career with 114 goals, 32 assists and Bartram’s third straight state championship. Scored 464 goals, most in state history and third nationally. Added 163 assists. Florida signee.
Brooke McCoy, Episcopal, So.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection. USA Lacrosse All-American. Midfield stars picked up a couple top player votes from area coaches. Lead Eagles with 63 goals and added 11 assists as team reached the Class 1A state semifinals. Had 44 ground balls, 149 draw controls and 21 caused turnovers.
Lily Mosser, Ponte Vedra, Sr.
Second in goal scoring for the Sharks (44). Added 14 assists. Field play was solid, too, with 27 ground balls for regional finalist Ponte Vedra. USF signee.
Maeve O’Neil, Episcopal, Jr.
Attack star is a USA Lacrosse All-American and two-time All-News4JAX selection. Had 56 goals, 13 assists for state semifinalist Eagles. Has scored 133 career goals with 39 assists. Had 34 groundballs and 11 caused turnovers.
Aubrey Schmidt, Ponte Vedra, Jr.
It was a breakout season for the midfield and draw specialist who is committed to Embry-Riddle. Had 41 goals and 22 assists on the offensive side and 47 draw controls, 12 caused turnovers and 20 groundballs.
Madison Stevens, Bartram Trail, Sr.
Goalkeeper is two-time All-News4JAX selection and significant reason for Bartram’s three consecutive state titles. Played her best in crunch time. USA Lacrosse All-American. Made 113 saves and had save percentage of 53.3%. Had four shutouts. Colgate University signee.
Lamb Toole, Ponte Vedra, Jr.
Big year for the Sharks. Had 52 assists and 39 goals for regional finalist. Assist total ranked seventh in the state. Committed to Towson.
Lily Toole, Ponte Vedra, Sr.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Midfield/attack player had best season of her career. Had 79 goals, 19 assists (98 points). Had 25 ground balls, 18 caused turnovers and 51 draw controls. Signed with Furman University.
Georgia Tuttle, Episcopal, Fr.
Best season of her three-year career. Had 44 groundballs, 29 caused turnovers and 43 draw controls. On offense, had 15 goals, 8 assists during 13-8, state semifinalist year.
Cassidy Vandermark, Menendez, Jr.
Midfielder ranked eighth in Florida in goal scoring with 88 goals. Added 24 assists. Up to 196 goals scored in three seasons. Good work in the field, too (95 draw controls, 28 ground balls).
Honorable mention
Player, School, Class
Ashley Albert, Ponte Vedra, Jr.
Ava Allamon, Bartram Trail, Jr.
Regan Bayly, Creekside, Sr.
Bella Bianco, Menendez, Sr.
Brooke Birkett, St. Augustine, Jr.
Olivia Bittencourt, Creekside, Jr.
Taylor Burke, Ponte Vedra, Jr.
Elsie Casella, Bartram Trail, Sr.
Angelina Cazares, Atlantic Coast, Sr.
Payten Cree, Episcopal, Fr.
Riley Cronin, Tocoi Creek, Jr.
Amber Fields, Nease, Sr.
Anna Giordano, Bolles, So.
Ashley Gray, Sandalwood, Sr.
Kennedy Gray, Mandarin, Sr.
Ella Hill, Tocoi Creek, So.
Tatum Hill, St. Joseph, Sr.
Kendall Jarrett, Providence, So.
Hailey Joselyn, Creekside, Sr.
Mikayla Kimsey, Mandarin, Sr.
Isabel LaFleur, Bartram Trail, Sr.
Jasmin Lockett, Atlantic Coast, Jr.
Avery McAlister, Fletcher, Sr.
Lilly Melograna, Episcopal, Sr.
Mary Mooney, Atlantic Coast, So.
Savannah Payne, Bartram Trail, Sr.
Chloe Perry, Fleming Island, Sr.
Reece Peterson, St. Augustine, Jr.
Sydney Rickelman, St. Joseph, Sr.
Naveah Ruff, Beachside, Sr.
Shira Silverman, Tocoi Creek, Jr.
Eve Surface, Bolles, Jr.
Amelia Thompson, Nease, Fr.
Isabella Vitulli, Episcopal, Jr.
Logan Wiesler, Nease, Jr.
Ava Wilkerson, Beachside, So.
Meghan Wohlgemuth, Bolles, Jr.