Hanson surveying offense against Carroll April 13, 2024

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Hanson Represents Women’s Lacrosse in Overseas Adventure

Rising junior traveled to Europe with Beyond Sports

7/11/2024 4:50:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Coming off a record-breaking sophomore season, Devon Hanson (Waukesha, Wis.-Waukesha West) represented the Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team overseas, as she packed her bags and traveled to Europe with Beyond Sports to take on some international competition.

Hanson, a Second Team All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honoree for the second straight season, entered the summer off a strong sophomore campaign. The midfielder broke IWU's single-season caused turnovers record, as she finished with 50 forced miscues. She also led the team in draw controls with 78, the third-most in a single season in program history, scooping up 55 ground balls and notching 36 points as well. While some might take time in the summer to rest and recover, Hanson was hungry to get better.

"My biggest goal for this trip was to gain new perspectives on the game and evaluate my strengths and weaknesses compared to others," Hanson stated. "The skills I've developed so far, with [my coach's] guidance, have been so valuable. Competing at such a high level during this tour has given me a fresh insight as I approach my junior season. I hope to apply what I've learned and step into a greater leadership role. At the end of the day, I simply want to continue my passion for the sport and contribute as much as I can on and off the field."

Playing alongside athletes from various divisions, Hanson embarked on adventures to Prague, Czech Republic, Vienna, Austria, and finished the tour in Munich, Germany. While in Prague, Hanson and her Beyond Sports teammates had the opportunity to face the Czech Republic national team. "We were scheduled to play three games, but due to timing issues, we ended up playing two. Our first game was against the Czech National Team, who are ranked seventh in international rankings. It was during this game that I scored my first international goal!" While in Prague, the team had the opportunity to visit Prague's City Center, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and a medieval underground museum.

Devon Hanson with Beyond Sports team and Czech Republic National Team

After a few days, the team traveled to Vienna, Austria, where they faced a local club team and had a cookout afterward. Hanson listed it as one of her favorite lacrosse moments from the trip, as "it was amazing to be able to interact with both teams and get to know the players from each country." Spending a few days in Vienna, Hanson said they had plenty of free time to be able to relax and explore the new surroundings, with time to stop at Brno on the way and enjoy a boat tour of the Danube River.

Devon Hanson with Beyond Sports team and local Vienna club team

When asked what made her want to go on this trip, Hanson responded, "I wanted to go on this trip because I was eager to see what new skills and perspectives I could gain while being there, [both] as a person and a player. Plus, who doesn't love some good competition? I was happy to both play and take in each place for this tour. Also, I was able to bring along my big brother, Craig. This was our first time being in Europe, so we didn't want this opportunity to pass. Having missed my high school senior year trip to France due to COVID-19, I felt this tour would in some way make up for that experience too."

Concluding the trip in Munich, Germany, Hanson and the team visited Salzburg, known as the inspiration for Walt Disney's castle, and had the option to tour Dachau, a World War II concentration camp. "A lot of emotions hit me at once while being there, but I'm glad that I went. Looking back, this was a fantastic opportunity to meet people from not only different divisions but those from across the world. I highly recommend a trip like this, whether with a team, family, or alone," Hanson commented.

With two seasons down playing for the Green and White, Hanson looks to be a key component of a team coming off a 9-8 season that posted a 4-2 record in CCIW action. Discussing how she sees this trip helping her enter the 2025 season, Hanson stated, "My biggest takeaway was realizing how stepping out of your comfort zone could lead to surprising results. For me, by immersing myself in new places and taking on new challenges, I pushed myself to discover new capabilities. I'm grateful that I had this opportunity to find out more about myself and the world around me."

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