Twenty-six St. Francis student-athletes signed or committed to play collegiate athletics to a combined 22 NCAA institutions in 2012-13. St. Francis Assistant AD for Sports Information Steven Shaff will feature each Troubie  who has either committed or been offered to play collegiate athletics next season prior to the early signing period that begins on Nov. 13.

St. Francis senior golfer Emily Laskin has been a leader on and off the golf course during her time on the Troubadour campus. She holds an office in the student government and has been captain on the Delta River League champion golf team. When considering her college options, she was drawn to a special opportunity that would help her growth on and off the course.

Next year Laskin will be a golfer for the U.S. Naval Academy.

“A Global Force for Good” is the motto of the U.S. Naval Academy and fits Laskin. A decorated athlete on the golf course, Laskin has been active across campus and the community.

“Growing up I have always liked the idea of going into the military,” said Laskin. “It reminded me of an everyday hero. As Christians and Catholics we are called to be those every day heroes so I felt it worked perfectly.”

Laskin will attend the United States Naval Academy, where she will play Division I collegiate golf under Head Coach Nadia Ste-Marie. She will need to  get a nomination for her appointment by her local member of Congress and pass a medical exam before her official appointment early in 2014.

“I feel it is the right school and place for me,” said Laskin “The girls that are going to be on the team next year are so welcoming and down to earth people.”

During the introductory 2012-13 season for the program, Navy Head Coach Ste-Marie led the Midshipmen to a third-place finish at the inaugural Patriot League Championships, despite having the services of no recruited athletes. Laskin is one of the first recruited student-athletes for the golf program and made a visit to the school during the first weekend of October.

“Going into a program that is super excited to have me and the fact that I am excited to be there means a lot,” said Laskin. ”I think it is going to help me grow as a competitor and as a person.”

The Elk Grove product was named the 2013 Delta River League Most Valuable player for the second consecutive season after averaging 76.0 strokes per round in three DRL matches and carding a 35.8 stroke average in dual match play. She has led St. Francis to three DRL titles and a pair of state championships appearances in 2010 and 2012 during her career.

The Troubadours begin postseason play on Oct. 21 at the CIF divisional tournament at Rocklin Golf Course. The field includes teams from the Delta River, Delta Valley, Monticello and Sierra Foothill Leagues. The top four teams plus six individuals advance to Masters.