JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Every family has their own unique traditions and for the Hiron’s playing lacrosse has been passed from the grandparents down. Ashytn Hiron has taken her love of the sport 11,000 miles away from her home in Perth, Western Australia to the campus of Jacksonville University.
“I’ve always wanted to play college lacrosse,” said Hiron who is now in her junior year. “Jacksonville is a really appealing place to play lacrosse. The weather is great, it’s a small community and we have a really new and fun lacrosse program. Plus the classrooms are small.”
Hiron joined a roster that fields players from as far north as Canada and as far west as Colorado. Having teammates who were also away from the comfort of home, helped make her transition easier.
“It’s there first time with independence and your first time without your parents,” said Dolphins women’s lacrosse coach Mindy McCord. “Ashtyn adjusted extremely well and her maturity set her apart as a freshman.
Off the field Hiron has aspirations to pursue a career in television. Every Wednesday, she and five other classmates join forces to broadcast a news show on Dolphin Channel News that airs across campus. It was through this class that she had the opportunity to work President Obama's speech at the University of North Florida Arena.
"It was the coolest thing I've ever done," said Hiron. "I had never been that close to a President before. I interviewed people and asked them about their experiences and the election. Obama was a fantastic speaker."
She will continue her communications studies as she prepares for what should be an outstanding junior season. Last year, Hiron had 29 goals and eight assists for 37 points as she was named the A-Sun conference defensive player of the year.
Following the 2018 season, the world will be at her fingertips. She's already traversed the globe with the Australian national team (check out her five goals against the University of Oregon during the 2016 holiday break), and knows a start in the television industry could lead her anywhere. However, she's in no hurry to see her time in Jacksonville come to an end.
"I'm definitely glad I chose JU," said Hiron. "I'm very happy that I get to spend four years here."