At a time when sports specialization is commonplace, Kimberly Dubansky is a rarity.
The McDonogh senior just completed an outstanding athletic career in which she lettered in soccer, basketball, track and lacrosse during her four years at the Owings Mills private school. Even more impressive is that she not only participated, but she thrived in each sport for the Eagles.
In the past year alone, Dubansky provided a scoring and defensive threat for the soccer team that reached the IAAM A Conference semifinals; she placed sixth in the 500 meters of the IAAM indoor track-and-field championships; and she helped lead the Eagles? lacrosse team to a conference championship.
Dubansky said soccer is her first love,but lacrosse is what she will play at Johns Hopkins next year.
“I just enjoy playing sports in general,” Dubansky said. “It?s a great way to stay in shape for lacrosse, and a lot of college coaches look for players who don?t specialize in just one sport.”
Dubansky added that playing multiple sports allows her the opportunity to have fun without getting burned out on one particular sport.
“More and more kids are specializing in one sport, and by the time they get to college, they?re tired of it,” she said.
“Playing many sports physically allows kids to develop and helps build muscles they might not have otherwise utilized,” McDonogh lacrosse coach Chris Robinson said. “Kim is someone who not only lettered but contributed in every sports she played. She is a team captain, a vocal leader and a physical player who will do well in college.”
Dubansky said she will miss not playing several sports in college but is ready for the challenge of competing at the Division I level.
“I?ve talked to others who played a lot of sports in high school, and they told me you?re so busy with lacrosse that you don?t have time to think about it,” she said.
THE DUBANSKY FILE
Hometown: Pikesville
School: McDonogh
Position: Defender in soccer; midfielder in lacrosse.
Did you know? Dubansky was named an IAAM A Conference all-star for lacrosse after a year in which she had 45 goals, 19 assists and 64 groundballs ? She scored four goals in McDonogh?s 10-7 lacrosse title-game loss to St. Paul?s and six goals in a 12-10 overtime win in the semifinals against Roland Park ? She scored eight goals and had eight assists for the soccer team this year.
