Harriton's Ally McLaughlin is Proving to be Ram Tough

When Ally McLaughlin arrived at  four years ago, she thought she would be a typical three-sport athlete concentrating on one sport each during the fall, winter and spring season.

Following her freshman year of indoor track, though, her coach Brian Klick discussed the possibility of running cross-country.

“It was definitely intriguing to me,” said McLaughlin of the possibility of running cross-country. “I liked the running part, but I found that I like running through the woods better than running around the track.”

McLaughlin felt that running cross-country would be fun, but she realized since she played soccer in the fall that she would need special permission from Athletic Director Tom Ferguson to participate in two sports in the same season. (She also plays lacrosse in the spring.)

Since she started participating in both soccer and cross-country in the fall of her sophomore year, McLaughlin is an integral member of both teams and the only issue to juggle is what meets and practices McLaughlin would participate in for cross-country. This season McLaughlin is the captain of the soccer team and has become a valuable runner on the cross-country team.

“It has been a blessing,” Harriton girls cross-country coach Jen Galvin said. "She is a great example, and many of the girls on the team look up to her, however scheduling what practices she will attend and what meets she will run in has been difficult.”

Harriton girls soccer coach Jeff Rhodes added, “She leads by example on and off the field. She had a great off-season workout, and you can always count on her to be ready to go.”

“Ally is a very important member of the soccer team,” said junior co-captain Anne Coyle. “She is a great teammate who is a wonderful motivator. She is very intense and has an incredible drive.”

Since her arrival, McLaughlin has been a stabilizing force at outside midfielder for a team that has improved each year. Last season the Rams advanced to the PIAA District One playoffs before being knocked out.

The soccer pitch is not the only place McLaughlin has seen improvement. In this year’s Viking Invitational, McLaughlin ran the course in 20:37, which is almost one minute faster than last season.

“She is learning to race,” Galvin said. “Last year she started to get quick. It has been a pleasure watching her get stronger.” 

McLaughlin had an inauspicious start to soccer. Not having much interest when she was 6, her parents decided to sign her up for Lower Merion Soccer Club.

“I did not have much interest,” said McLaughlin. “My brother played, and my parents asked me if I wanted to play and I said I would try.”

McLaughlin quickly fell in love with the game. Up until eighth grade, McLaughlin played travel for team Tempest until they disbanded.

With only one year left at Harriton, McLaughlin hopes to make the best of it. With college decisions quickly approaching, McLaughlin has her sights set on majoring in International Relations and will either play lacrosse or run cross-country if the opportunity provides itself.