Spring Senior Scholar-Athlete Spotlight: Jaret LaCagnina
4/21/2020 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
Thirty-three seniors were on Davidson Wildcat rosters as this spring began, and though their 2020 seasons were abbreviated, their contributions to their respective teams, the overall athletics program and college itself make them worthy of recognition. Each Tuesday and Thursday, we will feature members of the class of 2020 as part of the Senior Spring Scholar-Athlete Spotlight.
Name: Jaret LaCagnina
Sport you competed in: Baseball
Major: Political Science
What was your favorite class and why? My political science seminar with Dr. Roberts. Such a fun and interesting class with a great group of people. Dr. Roberts always put her students first and made class entertaining while still being one of the most thought-provoking classes I've taken at Davidson.
Where are you completing your studies this semester? From my home in Naples, Fla.
Though it was cut short, what will you remember most about your senior season? Our last game against Duke. Not only did we beat a top-10 team, but it was the first time in my baseball career that the game I played in ended up with my team winning via a walk-off home run. Baseball came full circle for me.
If you had to choose, what was the defining moment of your athletic career? I would say I can attribute most of my success in my career from a single game sophomore year against Harvard where I had a career-high 7 strikeouts in 3 innings. This game was huge for me and put me into a groove for the rest of the season and helped grow my confidence.
What was your favorite trip you took as a team and why? Texas A&M my freshman year for the Super Regional was the most fun I've ever had in my life. Having 8,000 fans screaming at you while playing with a chance to go to the College World Series is something I'll never forget. Truly a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity.
What makes a Davidson scholar-athlete different? The ability to handle the school work and still playing at the highest collegiate level is something I truly believe sets Davidson student-athletes apart from other schools. We still hold our academics to the highest standard while competing day in and day out against some great competition. Not many schools can even compare to what we do on the field and in the classroom.
You can invite any three people to dinner. Who is joining you? Matt Frey, Alex Fedje-Johnson, Zach Nussbaum
Most memorable college moment outside of competition? I wouldn't say there is one moment that stands out in particular, but hanging out with my teammates outside the field is something that will always stick out in my mind. No other group of guys could make me laugh harder and the hilarious conversations we would have will always be something I treasure, even 50 years down the road.
Did you have a pre-game superstition? Every single game I get dressed the same exact way. On bus trips to an away game, I always listen to the same playlist and end with the same song as we exit the bus.
What are you most proud of from your time as a Wildcat? The amount of hard work, dedication, and time that myself, teammates, and all the other seniors have put into their respective athletic programs. We are leaving Davidson a better place than when we first got here, and that is something we should all be proud of.
Who do you want to thank for their support? My parents, teammates and coaches. All of them had such a large impact on my life, and I wouldn't be the same without them.
What's next for you? I start working at Vanguard in Charlotte, N.C., in June.
Name: Jaret LaCagnina
Sport you competed in: Baseball
Major: Political Science
What was your favorite class and why? My political science seminar with Dr. Roberts. Such a fun and interesting class with a great group of people. Dr. Roberts always put her students first and made class entertaining while still being one of the most thought-provoking classes I've taken at Davidson.
Where are you completing your studies this semester? From my home in Naples, Fla.
Though it was cut short, what will you remember most about your senior season? Our last game against Duke. Not only did we beat a top-10 team, but it was the first time in my baseball career that the game I played in ended up with my team winning via a walk-off home run. Baseball came full circle for me.
If you had to choose, what was the defining moment of your athletic career? I would say I can attribute most of my success in my career from a single game sophomore year against Harvard where I had a career-high 7 strikeouts in 3 innings. This game was huge for me and put me into a groove for the rest of the season and helped grow my confidence.
What was your favorite trip you took as a team and why? Texas A&M my freshman year for the Super Regional was the most fun I've ever had in my life. Having 8,000 fans screaming at you while playing with a chance to go to the College World Series is something I'll never forget. Truly a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity.
What makes a Davidson scholar-athlete different? The ability to handle the school work and still playing at the highest collegiate level is something I truly believe sets Davidson student-athletes apart from other schools. We still hold our academics to the highest standard while competing day in and day out against some great competition. Not many schools can even compare to what we do on the field and in the classroom.
You can invite any three people to dinner. Who is joining you? Matt Frey, Alex Fedje-Johnson, Zach Nussbaum
Most memorable college moment outside of competition? I wouldn't say there is one moment that stands out in particular, but hanging out with my teammates outside the field is something that will always stick out in my mind. No other group of guys could make me laugh harder and the hilarious conversations we would have will always be something I treasure, even 50 years down the road.
Did you have a pre-game superstition? Every single game I get dressed the same exact way. On bus trips to an away game, I always listen to the same playlist and end with the same song as we exit the bus.
What are you most proud of from your time as a Wildcat? The amount of hard work, dedication, and time that myself, teammates, and all the other seniors have put into their respective athletic programs. We are leaving Davidson a better place than when we first got here, and that is something we should all be proud of.
Who do you want to thank for their support? My parents, teammates and coaches. All of them had such a large impact on my life, and I wouldn't be the same without them.
What's next for you? I start working at Vanguard in Charlotte, N.C., in June.
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