Team work makes dream work for Sun Devil Lacrosse defender Sierra Ryan

Sun Devil Women’s Lacrosse defender Sierra Ryan knows what it takes to be a great athlete.

“Mentality, always,” Ryan said. “I feel like everyone says this, but that's really what it comes down to. You have to be able to mentally push through the hardest things that you've faced and just continue to be great and have a great mindset.”

Ryan, a current sophomore studying computer science at ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of 

Engineering, was drawn to lacrosse due to the physical nature of the game, played with a lacrosse stick and ball.

“I got interested in lacrosse because it was the one physical women's sport that I could find because originally I started playing sports as a football player,” she said. “I was one of the only tackle football players that was a female in my state. So lacrosse was the next most physical sport I could play after that.”

Originally from Erie, Colorado, Ryan was one of two first-year students who started on the women’s Sun Devil Lacrosse team during the 24-25 season.

“My family has some roots with ASU, so I always was interested in the school,” Ryan said. “It's pretty close to home. And when I toured, I just knew that this was my place. The sun's out, it's wonderful, people here are amazing. So I knew ASU was the place to be.”

Her favorite part of playing the game? Being a member of the team and showing up for the ASU community.

“What I love most about lacrosse is the team aspect of it, we're all in this together,” she said. 
“Really just being around the team and having them around to motivate me is what makes me show up every day.”

Being a student athlete and balancing academics, practices, game days and other commitments isn’t an easy task, but Ryan, who is also an entrepreneur, has found the formula to a successful schedule.

“Outside of school I'm really focused on two things, playing lacrosse and running FuelWarden, which is my company,” she said. FuelWarden is an AI-driven nutrition platform that helps athletes plan meals and fuel effectively around their performance-driven lives.

“Everyone acts like that's a little bit crazy sometimes but lacrosse and pursuing my passions is fun to me, even if it's hard work,” she added.

Ryan said a key to her success is clear communication and asking for support when needed.

“I'm not afraid to ask for help,” she said. “I think a lot of young people and students are afraid to ask for help, I'm constantly asking for help. I could not do this by myself and thankfully we have fantastic support staff throughout Sun Devil Athletics that are here to lift us up every single day.”

For ASU students interested in getting involved in athletics, Ryan said finding success is all about showing up and showing your passion.

“To other student-athletes who want to be in Sun Devil Athletics, you just need to have passion. As I mentioned, the mentality as well,” Ryan said. “People within Sun Devil Athletics are very passionate about ASU and about the Sun Devils. We always love to feel energy from other athletes who are just passionate about their sport, are passionate about showing up every day, 6:30 in the morning for practices, lifts, whatever it is. You got to want to be there and you got to have passion.”

Ryan said that students can show their support to the Sun Devil Women’s Lacrosse team by “coming to the games. Follow us on Instagram at @sundevilwlax and just be there to support. Cheer us on. Anything counts.”

Photography by: Amanda Romero, ASU Student Life and Kaitlyn Beickel