From Dreamer to Leader: Lauren Tinson’s Journey to Becoming Captain

For Lauren Tinson, the dream of playing college lacrosse began at a young age. In high school, she remembers playing in club tournaments, watching college coaches line the fields, realizing that she wanted to play for them one day. “I am going to go to college and do this,” she would remind herself whenever she questioned what she was working for. Around that age marked the beginning of a goal she would soon achieve. When September 1 of her junior year arrived, her phone buzzed with calls, texts and emails from women’s lacrosse programs across the country. While the attention brought pressure, it also reassured her that she belonged at that level, but deep down, she already knew where she wanted to be.

Tinson’s connection to Penn State was more than just her dream of playing lacrosse there. With family ties to the university and a home filled with Penn State memorabilia, choosing Penn State felt like destiny. Watching the program win a Big Ten Championship only reinforced that decision. Although she always dreamed of playing for Penn State, becoming a captain wasn’t something she initially envisioned. Instead, her leadership developed over time, shaped by the example set by senior teammates who made a lasting impact on her early in her career. She recalled how players like Rachel Spilker and Megan Murray went out of their way to support her both on and off the field, and that feeling motivated Tinson to decide she wanted to give back in the same way.

Tinson’s journey on the field has also been filled with transition and change. She began playing as a midfielder but transitioned to defense after dealing with shoulder tendonitis early in her collegiate career. Rather than looking at the change in a negative way, she embraced it, adopting a team-first mindset that would later define her leadership style. “Wherever the team needs me, I just go,” she said. Her willingness to adjust not only made her a more versatile player but also gave her a deeper understanding of the game, helping her grow into a well-rounded leader. Her leadership development gained attention her senior year, when she earned the role of captain after delivering a heartfelt speech to her teammates about her journey, her perseverance, and what it meant to wear a Penn State uniform.

As a captain, Tinson places a strong emphasis on connection and culture. She believes the team’s success starts off the field, where close friendships translate into trust and cohesion on the field. Living together, spending time together, and maintaining traditions from pregame playlists to dancing in the locker room have created a bond that advances the team’s performance. For Tinson, the most rewarding part of leadership is watching her teammates grow. “My favorite part is seeing my teammates become their best every day,” she said. That growth has been especially important during a season marked by change, including the arrival of a new coaching staff that has pushed the team to adopt a more competitive mindset.

Under new leadership, the message has been clear, there is always room to improve. Tinson has embraced that challenge, reinforcing the idea that success comes from putting the team above everything else. “Your problems are not as important as what the team needs from you,” she said. That mentality has helped the team work through adversity, particularly in high-pressure moments late in games when mental toughness becomes critical. For Tinson, those moments reveal a team’s true character, and they have become a defining part of her approach to leadership.

“Most people are not going to remember when we lost to a certain team,” she said. “They are going to remember the kinds of people we are.” That perspective drives her desire to leave a positive impact on those around her, both as a player and as a leader. As her time at Penn State comes to a close, Tinson hopes to remain involved in sports, with coaching as a potential path. She knows the transition from player to coach will be a challenge, but her passion for the game and commitment to helping others grow make it an inevitable next step. For now, she remains focused on leading her team and embracing every moment, knowing that she is living out the dream she only could have imagined a few years ago.