Bartram Trail star Ryann Frechette leaves behind an unparalleled legacy

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – Ryann Frechette set goals when she was in high school that didn’t seem realistic. By the time Frechette finished Bartram Trail, her accomplishments themselves seemed unrealistic.

Frechette, the two-time All-News4JAX girls lacrosse player of the year, left a huge impact on the sport. It’s unlikely her career will be matched anytime soon…or at all.

Not only did Frechette win numerous awards and set state records, she became the face of the emerging name, image and likeness, leading Bartram Trail to four of the best lacrosse years in region history.

“I mean, that was my goal when I got to high school, to just make a huge impact. I have really high expectations for myself and I set goals before I even got to high school,” Frechette said. “So I’d like to think that I’m looked at as one of those leaders and positive and just someone who’s grown the sport.”

Frechette’s body of work ranks among the finest of any athlete in the major team sports in the region’s history.

According to the National Federation of High School Associations, Frechette’s 464 career goals rank third in the nation, trailing Sophia Turchetta (540 from 2013-16 at The Bromfield School in Harvard, Massachusetts) and Morgan Day (469 from 2012-15 at Kennard-Dale High School in Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania). She has 114 this season.

Frechette’s career goal total is 79 more than the previous state record holder, Winter Springs’ Anne L’Heureux (2010-13). Frechette earned two Miss Lacrosse honors and was a four-time USA Lacrosse All-American. She signed with the University of Florida.

But it is the team success that takes Frechette to the next level.

The area had seen one school win a state championship before Frechette arrived at the high school — Bartram Trail in 2016. That number still stands at one school, but the total number of titles now stands at four. Frechette led the Bears to three straight championships and became one of the best programs in major team sports in area history.

“It’s just surreal. I went into high school with the goal of winning a state championship,” she said. “And that’s what I did. But I never expected to win three.”

How did the region’s best lacrosse player get her start? Through her siblings, of course.

As the youngest of three children, Frechette watched her brother Reece and sister Julia play lacrosse their entire lives. They were separated by six and seven years, and Frechette was in elementary school when she first remembered watching their games from the stands. That eventually led her to want to get involved in the sport herself. Julia played at Jacksonville University and Reece went on to run cross country at Stetson.

“I would just grab a stick and play with it during halftime of their tournaments, often passing it to my dad,” she said.

By the time Frechette arrived at Bartram, she was a well-known figure in lacrosse. She set two goals as a freshman: win a state championship and score 100 goals. Frechette scored 121 goals that year. The championship goal was thwarted when Frechette tore her ACL during practice for the state semifinal against Vero Beach. The Bears lost 8-7.

They haven’t lost a playoff game since, including a 10-8 win over Tampa Plant in the 2A finals this year.

“I wasn’t sure if it was achievable, but I knew my position was going to be offensive and my job was to score,” she said. “And so that goal has pushed me super hard all season to achieve it, which I think is super important about setting goals because they keep you motivated.”

The other impact of Frechette’s story came off the field. She gave the high school NIL discussion a face for the mission of allowing high school athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness while still in high school. Frechette’s cause was brought up by the board of directors last June when it finally cleared the way for NIL here. Frechette was the first Florida athlete to take her NIL case to the association, filing a petition in December 2022 to allow her to accept a NIL contract with sports equipment manufacturer STX.

Her request was denied by the FHSAA on a sectional appeal in December and again on a final appeal in February 2023. But Frechette and her parents presented such a strong argument that FHSAA board member Trevor Berryhill referenced it during the deciding vote.

Now that’s what you call leaving a legacy.

“My only goal was to make it possible for the younger girls and boys out there. I think it’s a huge step,” she said. “And it’s just so cool to see it grow. And it’s so cool to see what other states have done with their high school athletes, and I just can’t wait to see it here with our athletes.”

All-News4JAX Girls Lacrosse Team

Player, school, class

Emily BarnetteBartram Trail, Jr.

Second leading scorer for the three-time state champion Bears. Had 69 goals and 29 assists. Scored 101 goals in 2 seasons.

Esa BrennemanBartram Trail, Fr.

Next in line for lacrosse stardom in the region. Freshman season (54 goals, 33 assists) with her last 5 goals of the year coming against Plant in the state championship game.

Natalie CharyakCreekside, Sr.

Her best season of her career came after recovering from a back injury. Midfielder had 77 goals, 24 assists and 54 draw controls for Knights. Scored 83 goals in the last two seasons. Kennesaw State signee.

Ashley CotterTocoi Creek, South.

Two-time All-News4JAX selection. USA Lacrosse All-American. Scoring machine had 112 goals, 38 assists for 13-7 Toros. Had 89 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers and 150 draw controls. Has 164 goals, 52 assists in career.

Ryann FrechetteBartram Trail, Sr.

Most decorated player in area history. Two-time All-News4JAX Player of the Year and Miss Lacrosse. Finished career with 114 goals, 32 assists and Bartram’s third consecutive state championship. Scored 464 goals, most in state history and third nationally. Added 163 assists. Florida signee.

Brooke McCoyEpiscopal, So.

Two-time All-News4JAX selection. USA Lacrosse All-American. Midfielder earned a pair of top player votes from area coaches. Led Eagles with 63 goals and added 11 assists as team reached Class 1A state semifinals. Had 44 ground balls, 149 draw controls and 21 caused turnovers.

Lily MossPonte Vedra, Sr.

Second in goals for the Sharks (44). Added 14 assists. Field play was also solid, with 27 ground balls for regional finalist Ponte Vedra. USF signee.

Maeve O’NeilEpiscopalian, Jr.

Attack star is a USA Lacrosse All-American and two-time All-News4JAX selection. Had 56 goals, 13 assists for state semifinalist Eagles. Has 133 career goals with 39 assists. Had 34 groundballs and 11 caused turnovers.

Aubrey Schmidt, Ponte Vedra, jr.

It was a breakout season for the midfielder and draw specialist who is committed to Embry-Riddle. Had 41 goals and 22 assists on the offensive end and 47 draw controls, 12 caused turnovers and 20 groundballs.

Madison StevensBartram Trail, Sr.

Goalie is a two-time All-News4JAX selection and a key reason for Bartram’s three straight state titles. Played her best in crunch time. USA Lacrosse All-American. Made 113 saves for 53.3% save percentage. Had four shutouts. Colgate University signee.

Lamb ToolePonte Vedra, Jr.

Big year for the Sharks. Had 52 assists and 39 goals for regional finalist. Assist total ranked seventh in the state. Committed to Towson.

Lily ToolePonte Vedra, Sr.

Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Midfielder/Forward had career-best season. Had 79 goals, 19 assists (98 points). Had 25 ground balls, 18 caused turnovers, and 51 draw controls. Signed with Furman University.

Georgia TuttleEpiscopal, Father.

Best season of her three-year career. Had 44 groundballs, 29 caused turnovers and 43 draw controls. On offense, had 15 goals, 8 assists during 13-8, state semifinal year.

Cassidy VandermarkMenendez, Jr.

Midfielder ranks eighth in Florida in goals with 88 goals. Added 24 assists. Scored 196 goals in three seasons. Good work in the field too (95 draw controls, 28 ground balls).

Honorable Mention

Player, School, Class

Ashley AlbertPonte Vedra, Jr.

Ava AllamonBartram Trail, Jr.

Regan BaylyCreekside, Sr.

Beautiful whiteMenendez, Sr.

Brooke BirkettSt. Augustine, Jr.

Olivia Bittencourt, Creekside, Jr.

Taylor BurkePonte Vedra, Jr.

Elsie CasellaBartram Trail, Sr.

Angelina CazaresAtlantic Coast, Sr.

Payten CreeEpiscopal, Father.

Riley CroninTocoi Creek, Jr.

Amber fieldsNease, Sr.

Anna GiordanoBolles, So.

Ashley GraySandalwood, Sr.

Kennedy GreyMandarin, Sr.

Ella HillTocoi Creek, South.

Tatum HillSaint Joseph, Sr.

Kendall JarrettProvidence, So.

Hailey JoselynCreekside, Sr.

Mikayla KimseyMandarin, Sr.

Isabel LaFleur, Bartram Trail, Sr.

Jasmine Lockett, Atlantic Coast, Jr.

Avery McAlisterFletcher, Sr.

Lilly MelogranaEpiscopal, Sr.

Maria MooneyAtlantic coast, South.

Savannah PayneBartram Trail, Sr.

Chloe PerryFleming Island, Sr.

Reece PetersonSt. Augustine, Jr.

Sydney RickelmanSaint Joseph, Sr.

Naveah RuffBeachside, Sr.

Shira ZilvermanTocoi Creek, Jr.

Eva surfaceBolles, Jr.

Amelia ThompsonNease, Fr.

Isabella Vitulli, Episcopalian, Jr.

Logan WieslerNease, Jr.

Ava WilkersonBeachside, So.

Meghan WohlgemuthBolles, Jr.