Montclair Athlete Spotlight: Chynna Dunneman, MHS, Lacrosse

by Andrew Garda
garda@montclairlocal.news

It’s early in the 2019 girls lacrosse season, but Montclair High School defender Chynna Dunneman thinks her team is just starting to click.

“As a team we’ve finally started to mesh together these last few games, I think,” she said after Tuesday’s 14-4 loss to powerhouse Oak Knoll on April 9. “On the field, we’re communicating regardless of what the score is or who is playing, and off the field we hang out with each other, which makes the connection a lot stronger.”

While the team has stumbled a little coming out of the gate, the defense, led by Dunneman, has improved every game according to head coach Ann Jennings.

“I thought our defense played really well today, compared to what we’ve been playing,” Jennings said. “Chynna is a huge part of that, and a great leader.”

Dunneman took a few minutes to chat with us and help us get to know her for this week’s Athlete Spotlight:

Have you decided on a college?

I have started looking but I’m not sure where I’m going. It’s a fun process I have to say, but we’re probably looking at two schools at most.

Do you know what major you want to study?

I want to study communications, radio and television journalism.  

Have you done anything in that field before?

I’m the sports editor at the school. So that’s always fun. I just love being around the entertainment of it  regardless of what it is.

Is there someone you look up to in that arena?

I don’t think there’s anyone in particular, because everybody does their own thing well, whether it’s covering sports, or going on social media or being on the television, it’s all different.

What are you enjoying the most about your senior year at MHS?

All of it, really. Just spending time with my friends. Because I know that this is our last year, this might be our last year hanging out with each other as friends, so I’m just enjoying the moment and creating moments with my friends.

Besides lacrosse, what do you do for fun?

I’m a lifeguard, so I love swimming. I work at a pool and that’s what I’m doing most of the time. Or I’m just hanging out with friends.

What is one thing you want to do before the end of your senior year?

I want to score a goal. I’m a defender, so I want to at least try to score a goal. This is probably my last year playing lacrosse so I am like why not try it?