English’s Henry taking her game to the next level

LYNN ?For Lynn English’s Shawna Henry, her love of athletics and school resulted in a spectacular career in Bulldog colors on the soccer field and track.But for the Worcester Polytechnic Institute bound recipient of the Patrick J. McManus scholarship from the Agganis Foundation, academics and athletics were hand-in-hand. And being named as a 2011 Agganis Scholar is something that was almost unexpected.”I am really and truly honored and I didn’t expect to get something like this,” Henry said. “And it kind of blew my mind. It’s inspirational to know what Harry Agganis did and that maybe someday one of us could be something like that.”Henry flourished under head coach Ed McNeil at English, becoming a Northeastern Conference all-star in leading the Bulldogs from the depths of the NEC to one of the top defensive teams in a talented league. Even more importantly, Henry learned life lessons from her coach.”He was the best coach I’ve had,” Henry said about McNeil. “He was like a father and a coach at the same time. It’s sad to be leaving him and my teammates.”Ever since she can remember, Henry has always had her parents on the sideline encouraging her on the playing field and supporting her in the academic arena.”My parents have always been there for me,” Henry said. “And they’re happy with the school I chose. Once I visited Worcester, I fell in love with it.”Henry will look to continue her soccer career at WPI in the fall and will major in biology.”I’d like to do something in the biotech field like helping to find cures for diseases that are out there,” Henry said.Dancing the tightrope between athletics and keeping up with advanced level classes is a challenge, but it was one that Henry welcomed as much as taking on an attacking forward in a one-on-one battle from her defense position.”To try and do everything was a lot of stress at first but I took it as a challenge,” Henry said. “And I’m scared that college is going to go by as fast as high school did.