Senior Spotlight: Sam Lungren
Fiona Edmonds ‘27
Samantha warming up before a game with her teammates. Photo by Luca Mesiti ‘27.
Samantha Lungren '24, known as Sam by friends and fans alike, took to the court for the last time in her collegiate basketball career on Feb. 17. Lungren celebrated her success as an athlete that night with a victory over Purchase College. The final score read 77-50 after the buzzer rang.
Sam started the match that night with enthusiasm and passion, inspiring the same energy in her teammates. Through effortless defensive moves and perfect passes, Sam challenged the opposing team with great force. Though this was only her third year playing basketball, Sam has been a dedicated athlete throughout her time at Sarah Lawrence. While captaining the Women’s Soccer team, studying for the MCAT, and planning for life post-graduation, Lungren demonstrated that she is an athletic powerhouse with the aptitude to take on anything she puts her mind to. After she graduates from Sarah Lawrence, Sam plans to take a year off of school to pursue a research-based career in the medical field.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Sam noted when discussing why she had chosen that path. Sam closed out her collegiate career by offering advice to her fellow athletes.“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” Sam said.
As soccer has been Sam’s predominant sport throughout her time at SLC, she explained that basketball was a new step for her.
“I definitely, a lot of the time in basketball at least, am not in my comfort zone…it takes a lot for me to feel athletic in this sport.” Lungren said.
Lungren’s willingness to try something new is a testament to her character as an athlete and human being. It takes guts for anyone to try something new, but sticking with it is much more difficult. In a touching moment, when asked who inspires her, Sam replied with a bright smile “I think my biggest inspiration would honestly be my teammates.”
She tells me that she has been guided by their kindness to her, as well as their inclusion, though she was so new to the sport. Without them, she feels she would not have grown so much as a player. The relationship between Sam and her teammates has been strong and meaningful to the team as a dedicated group of women. Lungren began her basketball journey with senior Kendall Haymore, a long-time friend of the court. Their friendship continued throughout all four years and their connection is noticeable even beyond the gym.
“I started with Kendall, and [though] I didn't play last year…the main reason I came back was to finish it with Kendall,” Lungren said.
Being able to play together and support each other created a feeling of confidence, reassurance, and support between themselves and the other players. With a successful future ahead of her, Sam Lungren has given theSarah Lawrence Women’s Basketball team an incredible experience and will leave lasting memories to guide her teammates in the seasons to come. Her final advice: “Try new things.”