In a recent game against Fallbrook High, UC High’s Girls Lacrosse Team was winning 14 to 9 during a time-out with four minutes left in the game. In those last minutes, Senior Grace Doolittle scored three goals, including two in the last minute of the game.
Sports have been a big part of Doolittle’s life from a young age, and when she entered high school she continued playing both soccer and lacrosse for all four years. “I have played soccer since I was around four years old and lacrosse since seventh grade,” said Doolittle.
She is a highly decorated athlete, having received multiple awards for both sports, including holding the captain title for both. “I was captain for soccer my senior year and captain for lacrosse junior and senior year. For lacrosse, I’ve been offensive player of the year the past three years in a row, MVP [most valuable player], and Eastern League Player of the Year, for my sophomore and junior year. I’ve also made First Team [for the Eastern League of Division 2] each year since freshman year. For soccer, I’ve been defensive player of the year my sophomore and junior years, Rookie of the Year Sophomore year, as well as Second Team this past season. I was also winter season Scholar-athlete of the year for all schools in San Diego.”
This recognition does not go unnoticed by the very humble Doolittle. “These awards have meant a lot to me because they are a way to prove to myself that all the hard work is worth it,” she said. Defensive Varsity Lacrosse Coach Amanda Khezra said, “Truly what I enjoy most about Grace is her authenticity and humbleness. She is confident in her ability but carries herself with a light-hearted and humorous manner.”
In 2019, Alumna Riley Reinhardt set a personal and UC High record of 105 goals in a single season. This was broken by Doolittle during her junior year with 135 goals. “She continues to eclipse records all over the San Diego region,” said Varsity Lacrosse Assistant Coach Mark Reinhardt.
Senior Sydney Buchanan has played on the UC High Girls Soccer Team with Doolittle all four years, and is a close friend of hers. “I started playing soccer with Grace when we were about four years old in recreational soccer. I admire her natural instinct for sports. She’s very athletic and you can easily see that in her. She can definitely stand out on the field,” said Buchanan.
Reinhardt said, “On the field, she needs little direction; she knows what to do and when to do it, and has taken on the role of the silent leader for the team.” Khezra said, “She is a tremendous athlete with high lacrosse IQ, allowing her to predict what needs to be done in a split second.”
Senior Brooke Hudson has also been in the UC High Varsity Girls Lacrosse Team all four years with Doolittle. “I have been playing sports with Grace since she started playing lacrosse. What I enjoy most about playing with Grace is her ability to make plays and keep the ball moving. Not only is she amazing at scoring goals, she is an amazing defender and feeder. She makes plays happen,” said Hudson.
Doolittle recalled her favorite memories over these past four years. She said, “My favorite sports memories are just having fun at practice and goofing around with my teammates. Also anytime the team gets food together after a win. Most importantly BABs [Boba and Blaze Pizza] with the soccer team.”
Senior Mia Ramirez, who has played soccer with Doolittle for three years, said, “What I admire most about Grace is that she can be really serious and focused at both practice and games but out of nowhere she gets a burst of energy that makes all of us laugh and smile.” Doolittle never takes herself too seriously. “She is intensely serious, but still manages to have fun, which is so important. Everyone looks up to Grace and she has earned the respect of her coaches, teammates and each and every player who competed against her,” said Reinhardt.
“It’s pretty difficult to balance school and sports, but what I did to help with it is making sure I did as much work as I could at school and getting all the work done that I could before practices and games so that I wouldn’t have to worry about doing it after,” added Doolittle. She has been able to maintain a 4.4 GPA all throughout high school.
Doolittle is also an active member of the UC community: “I’m a part of quite a few clubs including Ultimate Frisbee, Spike Ball, Casas de Luz, HOSA, Italian Club, Lacrosse Club, and Soccer Club,” she said. Many of these align with her hobbies: “Some of my hobbies include pretty much anything outside: hiking, going to the beach, surfing, snowboarding, playing sports, you name it,” said Doolittle.
In the fall, Doolittle will be attending the University of Denver where she will be studying environmental science.