Inspired by her father and older brother playing collegiate sports, senior Maren Mulloy set her sights on being a college athlete. In December of 2024, Mulloy committed to play Division I lacrosse at Stanford University. “Stanford was always my dream school,” Mulloy said.
Although most athletes pursuing a college career choose to narrow their focus on one sport in high school, Mulloy decided against it, having played varsity flag football, basketball and lacrosse at Menlo. Mulloy believes that being a three-sport athlete has contributed to her success in lacrosse. “A lot of the defensive footwork and strategy really translated well, so I actually think playing my other sports was super beneficial,” Mulloy said.
Despite her love for flag football and basketball, Mulloy’s true passion is lacrosse, which deepened when she started competing at a higher level.
During the recruitment process, which began the summer before her junior year, she often traveled away from home, particularly because lacrosse is a very East Coast-oriented sport. “For the past few summers, I’ve basically lived in Maryland because that’s where the best competition and tournaments are,” Mulloy said. “Playing eight or nine hours a day was also a challenge, but I think I learned a lot from being there.”
As Mulloy began exploring her collegiate lacrosse options, academics were a crucial factor for her. “Schools with good academics, like the Ivy League and high DIII schools, were especially the places I was looking at,” Mulloy said.
When her older brother, Cormac Mulloy ’24, committed to play Division I water polo at Stanford, Mulloy started to see Stanford as a dream destination. “Stanford was my first offer, and I took it right away,” she said. “It’s always been my number one school throughout the whole process. It’s the perfect balance of great academics and great lacrosse.”
Mulloy’s presence on the Menlo girls lacrosse team has a big impact, according to teammates. “She works really hard, and she sets a really good example both on and off the field, especially for the younger girls,” senior Elia Choe said.
