U-M Student-Athlete Spotlight: Adriana Pendino
1/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Following the signing of U-M's third recruiting class, all nine members are being featured in a student-athlete spotlight, breaking down each future Wolverine, on and off the field.
Adriana Pendino is a two-time varsity letterwinner (2013, '14) and will play her final season at Moorestown High School (Moorestown, New Jersey) this spring. In her two seasons on varsity, the right-handed attacker helped lead Moorestown to a perfect record of 51-0 and back-to-back state titles.
Following the first state title in 2013, Moorestown was the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, while the team finished third in the national poll in 2014. During the state title game in 2014, Pendino tallied two goals and two assists to help Moorestown defeat Summit High School, 8-6.
As a freshman, Pendino was a member of the freshman team, but was elevated to the varsity squad for playoffs.
Pendino competed for the South Jersey Select club team. In addition to her accomplishments on the lacrosse field, Pendino was also a four-year member of the soccer and basketball teams at Moorestown.
Collegiate athletics run in the Pendino family as her father played football at Princeton and her brother played baseball at Washington & Lee University.
ACCORDING TO ADRIANA
 | Adriana Pendino Attack Moorestown, N.J. Moorestown High School |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"I was very attracted to Michigan because it is a well-rounded university. Very few schools have the combination of great academics, athletics, school spirit, diversity, and college-town atmosphere that the University of Michigan has. I knew it was the ideal school for me because when I first visited, I immediately felt at home."
What are your thoughts about continuing to help Michigan build its women's lacrosse program?
"I am very excited about the beginning of a lacrosse program at Michigan. I plan to bring my leadership skills, work ethic, determination and passion for the sport to help bring success and championships to the program."
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you've seen so far?
"I love Ann Arbor because it resembles my small hometown of Moorestown, N.J. Ann Arbor has the excitement of city life, yet keeps a small-town feel. I love walking on Main Street and exploring the many shops and restaurants it has to offer."
What is your favorite lacrosse moment of all-time?
"My favorite lacrosse moment of all time was winning the Tournament of Champions (New Jersey State Championship game) my junior year. I will never forget the exact shot placement of my goals and the adrenaline running through me. When the final whistle blew and my teammates all rushed together, I knew we had reached our goal of another perfect season."
How did you first get involved in lacrosse?
"My love for the sport began when I was in third grade. I remember shopping at Dick's Sporting Goods with my mom when I came across a hot pink, sparkly lacrosse stick that caught my eye. Not knowing anything about the sport, my mom purchased the stick and a few weeks later I began recreational lacrosse."
Do you have any talents or hobbies that you're willing to share? If so, please explain.
"I take pride in being a three-sport student-athlete and earning nine varsity letters throughout high school. Although primarily focused on academics, I still manage to balance my athletic career. When I am not on the lacrosse field, you can find me competing on the basketball court or soccer field."
Who is your role model, and why?
"My father is unquestionably my role model. He constantly motivates me with his success as a neurologist. He taught me that nothing of value comes without hard work and perseverance. My dad has instilled morals and values in me which I continuously live my life by every day. He is insightful, understanding, and most importantly my biggest supporter and my number one fan on and off the field."
What do you enjoy doing when you're not playing lacrosse?
"Outside of lacrosse, I enjoy taking family trips to the Jersey Shore and visiting my extended family."
Favorite food ... Penne Vodka Pasta
Favorite band/artist ... Luke Bryan
Favorite movie ... Bad Grandpa
Favorite TV show ... Cops
Favorite book ... Catcher in the Rye
Favorite subject/class taken ... Math
Favorite professional athlete ... Patrick Kane
Favorite place to visit/vacation ... Ocean City, N.J.
Favorite sport besides lacrosse ... Soccer
Favorite holiday ... Christmas
• Previous Spotlight: Maddie Klee
