She won a state title in 2012. Now, Terry aims to lead Fort Mill lacrosse from sideline

Kirsten Terry knows something about lacrosse. In fact, she knows a lot.

As the interim girls’ team’s lacrosse coach at Fort Mill, Terry, 24, is looking to become the second-ever former player turned head coach to lead their team to a lacrosse state title. Former Jackets’ lacrosse coach Parker Thomas did so with the boys’ team last season.

Like Thomas, Terry was part of a state championship team at Fort Mill in 2012, and she left the school as the all-time leader in goals scored. From there, she went on to Limestone College, where she played college lacrosse.

Terry was an assistant last season at Fort Mill and was given the title as interim head coach when former head coach Kellianne Wunk stepped down before the start of the season. Terry has led Fort Mill to a 4-0 start.

Her coaching philosophy is simple.

“If you work hard and have a good attitude, you are probably going to get on the field over someone who has better skills but not the best attitude,” she said. “I am more of an effort and heart kind of person.”

Terry: ‘Coaching is my passion’

Terry minored in coaching in college and said that is what she’s most passionate about. She’s also coached summer and fall lacrosse in Charlotte.

Terry said that the coaching part — the in-game strategy and practice planning — come easier than the administrative parts of being a coach.

“Coaching is my passion and it is something I want to do with my life,” she said. “Doing this and having a full-time job has been a little tricky in balancing both aspects of them.”

When not coaching, Terry is an ER nurse at Atrium Health in uptown Charlotte. She looks to her players to make sure practices go as smoothly as they should.

“I have put a lot of responsibility on our captains,” she said. “I really have to go after practice. I don’t have time to go over on most days.”

The past two seasons, Fort Mill girl’s lacrosse has been on the edge of winning a state title. The Jackets lost twice in the state championship game in as many years, which has given the seniors a little extra motivation entering this season.

What a state title would mean

Terry said it would mean a lot to get a state title this season, having won one as a player and to get one as a head coach as well. Terry said she would especially like to win a title for her parents, who have poured a lot into the lacrosse programs at Fort Mill.

“I think it would mean a lot,” she said. “I want to win one as a coach and as a player as a big thank you to everyone who has supported lacrosse in Fort Mill since I was in the sixth grade.”

Terry said the mindset of this year’s team is more of one that expects to get back to the finals — and not let the moment get to them.

“They seem to be having more fun,” she said. “They are excited to be there and learn new things.”

As interim coach, Terry doesn’t know what the future holds, but she knows what she wants.

“I have always wanted to coach,” she said. “I was looking to coach college when I graduated, but assistants don’t make much so I had to take a step back. Being back at Fort Mill is awesome, and I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

Mac Banks: mbanks@comporium.net, @MacBanksFM