It’s an impressive accomplishment when a girls lacrosse player reaches 200 career points – it’s even more incredible when two players from the same team reach the milestone. That was the case for Kennebunk teammates Jenny Bush and Kyra Schwartzman, who both passed the 200-point mark this past season and also helped lead the Rams to their first-ever state championship.

Bush would finish the 2016 campaign with 65 goals and 10 assists, which pushed her career point total to 202. Schwartzman would finish with 205 career points after racking up 43 goals and 19 assists in her senior season.

Kennebunk coach Annie Barker believes the duo’s work ethic and passion for the sport led them to the success they had the past four years.

“Jenny and Kyra are both very skilled, have a great work ethic in season and offseason, and have such passion for the game, with a ton of knowledge of the game as well,” said Barker.

Bush and Schwartzman also displayed plenty of leadership during their Kennebunk careers.

“Jenny and Kyra are great role models on and off the playing fields. Jenny and Kyra are also coaches on the field,” said Barker.

Barker also saw first hand the special bond between the two standouts.

“They work very well together and know when to go to goal, slow down the game and wait for the great shot or run a fast break,” said Barker, who had an explosive 1-2 punch leading her offense. “Together they both run our attack. They also know where each other is all the time. They know when to go one-on-one or when to feed to each other. They have both worked very hard all four seasons and in the offseason to accomplish this.”

Bush and Schwartzman would bring different styles in terms of play and leadership, according to Barker.

“Jenny leads with her play. I think the players love to watch Jenny because she is smooth and is a very finesse player. Kyra leads by coaching a lot, whether it be in the attack box or at a timeout,” said Barker, who could always count on the standouts to help their teammates. “Both Kyra and Jenny during a timeout when asked if we are running the right re-defend, or why are you not running this play, or any game-like situation, are always there to give input and can present it to their teammates so they can best understand what is happening on the field.”

Barker will have a gigantic hole to fill next season as Bush and Schwartzman are two of five Kennebunk players who graduated and will be playing lacrosse at the next level.

Bush will be heading to Assumption College and Schwartzman will play at Merrimack next year. Liv Sandford is off to Bates, while Carly Sandler has committed to Lynchburg College and Bella Kudas will be heading to Drew.

While Barker will have a tough time replacing all five standouts next year, the Kennebunk coach believes Bush and Schwartzman have left their mark on the program – especially the younger players.

“It has truly been a pleasure coaching these two for four years. I was very impressed with both Jenny and Kyra their freshman year, with their skills, their game sense, and their passion and work ethic. It has been very fun to watch them grow into great lacrosse players as well as fine young women,” said Barker. “I think that both Jenny and Kyra have taught their teammates how to love the game, have fun playing the game, and how dedication and hard work and team friendships can lead to team success. They both believed and shared the belief that if we have fun playing the game we love and we play together as a team the finish we are looking to achieve will happen for us.”

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.

Journal Tribune Girls Lacrosse All-Stars

Co-MVPs

Jenny Bush, Kennebunk; Kyra Schwartzman, Kennebunk

All -Stars
Taylor Turgeon, Biddeford
Camryn McKeown, Biddeford
Paige Laverriere, Biddeford
Hallie Schwartzman, Kennebunk
Carly Sandler, Kennebunk
Liv Sandford, Kennebunk
Bella Kudas, Kennebunk
Maquila Dimastrantonio, Massabesic
Madison Drain, Massabesic
Skylar Renaud, Massabesic
Delia Sylvain, Massabesic
Paige Leblanc, Thornton Academy
Faith Sinclair, Thornton Academy
Liz Helmreich, Sanford
Maddie Leigh, Sanford
Aimely Michaud-Nolan, Wells