From the first whistle to the final goal of a game, senior Norah Herbst’s journey in lacrosse has been marked by passion, skill, and unwavering dedication. As a standout defender and inspiring leader of Morgan’s Message club, she not only dominates the field but also empowers her teammates, proving that true leadership extends beyond the game. A varsity starter for all four years of high school, Herbst is a key player for Pennridge. She commands the back of the field, proving the defense to be impenetrable. Herbst is the current president of Pennridge’s chapter of Morgan’s Message. Morgan’s Message focuses on mental health in athletes, trying to end the stigma surrounding issues in mental health. Being a leader in this club means organizing events and so much more. Herbst is constantly looking to improve the club and bring awareness to mental health.
Committed to Campbell University, Herbst will continue her lacrosse career for the next four years after high school. Located in Buies Creek, North Carolina, Campbell University is an NCAA Division I school for women’s lacrosse. Herbst will carry her skills to the college level. Before her injury sophomore year, Herbst received Suburban One League Honorable Mention in her freshman year. This honor is given to standout athletes in the Suburban One League. Voted on by coaches in the conference, this is a big honor for high school athletes. Herbst is also a key player for her club team. Being a part of Ultimate Pennsylvania is no easy task. Herbst travels all along the East Coast for tournaments throughout the year.
Coming from a sports family, Herbst has been involved in lacrosse for most of her life. Her father, Kevin Herbst, was a soccer player in high school and college at Shippensburg University. Norah’s sister, Mackenzie Herbst, inspired her to get into lacrosse and keep going. Mackenzie played lacrosse at St. Bonaventure University in New York. Along with Campbell University, St. Bonaventure is also a Division I school. In an interview with Norah’s mother, Shannon Herbst, she recalled how Norah got involved in the sport. “She saw how much her brother and sister enjoyed the sport, and her sister got her into it,” she said.
Herbst’s involvement in Morgan’s Message has made her a supportive player both on and off the field. In an interview with a teammate of Herbst’s, Colbie Landherr, she told me how she helps others on the field. “Norah is so supportive while in game; she makes everyone feel comfortable and confident,” she recalled from past seasons. Being a part of a mental health club, Herbst was able to speak out about how important mental health is in a sport. She tries her best to support her teammates mentally on and off the field. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Herbst about her lacrosse career and involvement in Morgan’s Message at Pennridge. When asked how she supports her teammates in terms of mental health, she talked about the encouraging words she shares with them. “I give them compliments and other encouraging words,” she said, “I find that what someone says about you sticks with you longer and will change the overall experience, so I try to keep a healthy, positive environment on the team.” Herbst is a strong, supportive leader of Pennridge women’s lacrosse and is always advocating for mental health on the team.
In her sophomore year of high school, Herbst suffered an ankle injury, which left her ineligible for most of the season. She told me how this injury caused her mental health to decrease, and how this inspired her to advocate for mental health in athletes. Looking back on that time, Herbst’s mother said that this challenge was a big part of Norah’s journey, “It was hard because she knew she wasn’t playing up to the level she knew she could play at, but she overcame the injury and realized that the strength came within her.” Herbst’s injury and mental health showed others how they can overcome anything when they put their mind to it.
Norah’s inspiring story has been reflected in many younger players who see her as a leader and inspiration for their future. Without her, Pennridge lacrosse would be missing a pillar of their team culture and environment. Herbst’s leadership in Morgan’s Message has created a safe space for many to talk about their mental health. She continues to take charge both on and off the field, with both lacrosse and mental health advocacy.
