Interview: UNC Commit Kimber Hower

Note: This interview has been edited for clarity.

Tell me a little about yourself. When did you start playing lacrosse? What do you love about the game? Who are your role models? Or what inspires you in the classroom and on the field?

I started playing around the fifth grade with my brother and his friends because the game looked so unique compared to other sports. I love lacrosse because of a player’s ability to be creative, but to also add their own unique style to the way they play. My role models are Adam Ghitelman and Tobin Heath because they both have an incredible passion for what they do. I had the opportunity to train with Adam. He’s such a sick player and has this really chill yogi mentality which makes him so fun to be around. My inspiration definitely comes from my family because I want to make them proud.

What stick are you currently using?

The stick I use is the Eclipse head with a Dragonfly shaft. It’s been my setup since 6th grade.

I hear you are practicing with Mike Acee and 212 on the weekends? How did that get set up and how is that training benefiting you?

I’ve been working with Mike for as long as I can remember. He’s been my main coach in Utah since I started getting recruited and has remained so. He has honestly been my rock when it comes to lacrosse here because he continues to help me explore what I’m capable of. The training has benefited me in the sense that it has helped me prepare for the speed of college lacrosse.

When did you decide you wanted to continue playing beyond high school?

Ironically, I decided when I started to get recruited around 8th grade. Being from Utah, it’s not really something I thought of as a possibility. Girls committing to East coast schools was kind of unheard of when I was that age and I really just played for fun.

To what would you attribute your success on the lacrosse field?

I definitely attribute my success to my parents. They are the best because they are willing to drive me 12 hours to just get to the nearest tournament in places like California. I don’t know a lot of parents that are willing to do that and the fact that they have sacrificed so much to send me to play all over the U.S. is just truly amazing.

Tell me a little about the decision to forgo your senior year of lacrosse in order to graduate early and play at UNC?

Last spring my college coaches introduced the idea to me because academically it was a possibility, but the offer stemmed from the fact that I was unfortunately not getting the level of play to help me grow as a player and a person here in Utah. So when the coaches asked it just seemed like an offer that I couldn’t pass on. I’m really excited for this opportunity but it has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make because I won’t be able to experience being a senior and walking at graduation.

What made you decide to commit to enroll and play at UNC?

I decided to attend UNC because academically it’s an incredible school that can offer me amazing opportunities. On the lacrosse side, Carolina has an amazing coaching staff that is just so humbling to be around. I’m always in awe when I get to learn from them because they are so knowledgeable and they are the best at what they do. They are coaches that encourage creativity and growth and I feel like they will not only help me become better at lacrosse but most importantly a better person.

What are you looking forward to most out of your freshman year?

I’m really stoked to just be able to play with all the girls there because they are all so incredible at what they do and they are just so fun to watch let alone play with.

What advice would you give to younger girls who are interested in playing after high school?

I would say surround yourself with people who are successful and knowledgeable about college lacrosse. Also, find people that encourage you to achieve your dreams because that will take you a long way.