Silly costumes and lacrosse sticks are not the typical outfit combination students might expect to encounter when walking across Ankeny Field. However, last week, the women’s lacrosse team was seen dressed up in crazy outfits to bring attention to and celebrate the start of their spring 2014 season.

This annual tradition not only embodies the lacrosse team’s fun-loving attitude toward the sport, but also happens to come with anticipated news. After much deliberation, the Whitman women’s lacrosse team has been granted funding and in 2016 will officially become a varsity sport.

While the majority of the team finds this transition exciting, it is met with a considerable amount of uncertainty, and the process of becoming a varsity sport has players concerned.

“The girls love the current atmosphere and the people they play with, and I think if that continues through the transition, it will be exciting and enjoyable, but there is definitely a little nervousness,” said senior captain Claire Vezie.

With this transition from club to a varsity sport, the commitment level for players is expected to alter dramatically. Currently the team practices five days a week, but there is leniency when it comes to attending practices due to academic or other obligations.

“I think everyone sees it as a good opportunity, but then people are wary and concerned it might be too much to handle. I think it would change my college career drastically. I would be putting more focus on the sport than I initially intended to,” said first-year Sarah Edwards.

The women’s lacrosse team is presently student-coached by its three senior captains, Vezie, Kaylee Kautz and Allie Willson, all of whom are expected to graduate in May. These three have played an instrumental role in the push toward becoming a varsity sport.

“We have made our case every year, and with the school looking to add another women’s varsity sport, we have consistently been saying ‘Look, we’re here, we’re really strong and we could be even stronger,'” said Willson.

The environment of the current team is encouraging and welcoming of all levels of experience, ranging from veteran players like Willson with 10 years under her belt, to first-time lacrosse players.

“It is rewarding seeing girls who have never played before pick up sticks and improve over the course of my four years, and now seeing them have the chance to be on a varsity team is really amazing and important to me,” said Willson.

The next two years will be a developmental period for the team. The ladies will carry out their 2014 season as a club team in the Northwest Women’s Lacrosse League competing against much larger schools like Gonzaga University and Washington State University.

“It is challenging because a lot of the teams we are playing have coaches and a lot more money and funding to spend because they do come from those bigger schools,” said Willson.

However, this size advantage does not dissuade the determined group of 18 players on the roster.

“It’s a real credit to our team that we can stand our own against them, considering our size. Gonzaga could field two [full] teams, but we are still competitive with them” said Vezie.

Subsequently, 2015 will serve as a hybrid year, and hopefully in two years, the women will be competing in the Northwest Conference against schools more comparable to Whitman’s student population.

Although many of the details regarding this transition are still in the works, and this shift is anticipated to foster a higher level of commitment, the team still hopes to maintain their enthusiasm and camaraderie.

“[The team] has become my family at Whitman and my teammates are all extremely supportive. Overall, we just like to have fun,” said Willson.