Since the arrival of Head Coach Steffi Fleagle and Assistant Coach John Kim, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) High School girls varsity lacrosse team has undergone a remarkable transformation. Their combined expertise and dedication have not only improved the team’s performance on the field but have also cultivated a culture of resilience and excellence.
“Our main focus this year was to change our team culture,” Coach Steffi Fleagle said. “Last year, I served as the head JV coach and only spent the final two weeks of the playoff season with the varsity team. Unfortunately, I believe the coaching dynamic over the past couple of years created tension between the staff and players. This year, we made it a priority to address the toxic culture across the entire team, and I truly believe we have made significant strides in improving our team culture and dynamic.”
Before the 2021 season, the HSE girls lacrosse team experienced varied success. In the 2020–2021 season, the team achieved a strong 19-2 record, scoring 296 goals and allowing 93, with a perfect 13-0 division record. However, subsequent seasons saw fluctuations in performance.
Under the guidance of Coaches Fleagle and Kim, the 2023–2024 season marked a significant improvement. The team posted a 15-4 overall record, with a 12-2 conference standing, and outscored opponents 240 to 127. This resurgence highlights the positive impact of the new coaching leadership.
Coach Fleagle’s journey in lacrosse began in the 8th grade in Ohio, where she played at Dublin Coffman High School. Her passion for the sport led her to Walsh University (2013–2017), where she played collegiate lacrosse and was honored as the Most Valuable Player during her freshman and sophomore years.
Beyond her playing career, Coach Fleagle has a background in coaching CrossFit and lacrosse. This diverse experience contributes to her holistic approach to athlete development, emphasizing both physical conditioning and mental toughness.
“I coached CrossFit for four years before my husband and I moved to Indiana,” Fleagle said. “Prior to that, I volunteered as a coach at a local high school while playing lacrosse in college. Coaching CrossFit taught me how to project my voice loud enough for more than 30 athletes to hear me at once — a skill that has come in handy during practices and games. Managing lacrosse practices feels very similar to coaching a large group class in a gym setting.Much of my approach to training lacrosse athletes comes from my college playing experience. I have a keen eye for detail and a deep playing knowledge that allows me to fine-tune the small adjustments needed for improvement.”
Assistant Coach John Kim brings a multifaceted athletic background to the team. A native of Muncie, Indiana, he was a multi-sport athlete at Muncie Central High School, participating in baseball, basketball, and football. He continued his athletic career at Indiana State University, where he played as an outside linebacker for the Sycamores football team. After sustaining his second ACL injury, Kim shifted his focus to academics, a decision that underscores his resilience and adaptability.
Now in his third-year coaching at HSE, Kim applies his extensive sports knowledge and experience to the lacrosse field. His background in multiple sports allows him to bring unique perspectives to game strategy and player development, contributing to the team’s dynamic and versatile playing style.
“Playing for my dad was definitely challenging because the standards were higher,” Junior Samantha Kim said. “But that just motivated me to do better. Compared to last year, there’s more structure and more team bonding. It feels like we truly love each other now — it’s not divided, and there’s not a lot of hate between people.”
The synergy between Coaches Fleagle and Kim has been instrumental in fostering a team environment centered on discipline, adaptability, and continuous improvement. Their combined experiences—ranging from collegiate athletics to diverse coaching roles—have equipped them to mentor athletes effectively, both on and off the field.
“During the fall and winter season, we had what I would call a critical conversation as a team,” Fleagle said. “We had sent out returning player surveys, and through that process, the girls were able to be open and honest with us as coaches. The final question on the survey was, ‘Do you have any current concerns for this season?’ I compiled all of the negative feedback from the returning players and read it aloud in front of the entire team. I truly believe this was an eye-opening experience for our girls. It felt like they finally realized that some of the issues stemmed from within the team itself. From our first fall practice to where we are now, the dynamic has felt completely different.”
Under their guidance, the HSE girls lacrosse team has not only achieved impressive statistics but has also cultivated a supportive and driven team environment. Their leadership extends beyond the field, as they mentor student-athletes to excel both academically and personally.
“As a player, [the coaches] have helped me improve on the mental aspect of the game by always being there for me and supporting me,” Junior Edie Fisher said. “The new coaching staff has provided a fun and supportive environment, which people from the outside might not see. The team culture this year is the best it has been in all three years I’ve been on varsity. It feels like we truly are a family.”
The transformation of the HSE girls varsity lacrosse team under Coaches Fleagle and Kim exemplifies the profound impact that dedicated and experienced coaching can have on a high school athletic program. Their story serves as an inspiring testament to the power of leadership, resilience, and teamwork in achieving excellence.
