H.S. LACROSSE: The Great Austin has local ties

Staff Reports
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

ALEXANDRIA, VA June 23, 2009 11:00 pm

— The nation’s most outstanding girls lacrosse player. Virginia’s Kelly Austin, is the grand daughter of a life-long Lockport resident and the niece of her two sisters who still reside in the area.
Kelly, the daughter of Jeff and Denise Austin, led St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Saints (26-0) to the top of the national rankings, scoring 84 goals and dishing out 19 helpers. The Saints not only won the Independent School League crown and a state title, they also finished tied with John Carroll (Md.) for the LaxPower national championship.
Last May, Austin received the prestigious Heather Leigh Albert Award, given to the top high school player in the country.
Both of Kelly’s were accomplished college athletes, while her aunt, Tracy Austin, is a former world No. 1 tennis player who became the youngest U.S. Open champion at 16 in 1979.
Today, Jeff is a sports attorney, while Denise was the star of a successful show on ESPN entitled, “Getting Fit With Denise Austin.”
Kelly’s grandmother Rita Dunnigan, a graduate of the old Lockport Union High School on East Avenue, lived on Cottage Street in Lockport for most of her life. Rita’s sisters, Loretta Olear and Mary Cutter still reside in the Lockport area. Kelly is also the great grand daughter of the late Viola Dunnigan of Lockport.
Austin, who stands a shade over 5-foot-5, continued to roll this spring. She tallied 35 goals through the team’s first nine games -- all wins -- and showcased her scoring prowess during a March trip to California, tallying 17 goals in four games.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.