The Ellis School Announces 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Two Ellis alumnae, Lauren Castagnero ’02 and Dr. Lorrie Kiger ’04, will be honored during Reunion Weekend festivities on Oct. 10 as the 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. Each was chosen because they exemplify the spirit of Ellis athletics through their leadership, achievement, and continued dedication to excellence both on and off the field.
Lauren was a three-sport varsity athlete at Ellis, competing in tennis, basketball, and lacrosse. Her athletic talents led her to John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she continued her tennis career while earning a degree in English with a minor in Communications. Today, Lauren works in the tech industry as a Customer Success Manager at SaaS.group. She lives in Rocky River, Ohio, with her husband John and their dog Sophie. A lifelong athlete, Lauren remains active and recently picked up pickleball as her newest hobby, along with traveling, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.
In 2024, Lauren was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare genetic heart condition that has reshaped her relationship with athletics and wellness. She has shared her story publicly to help raise awareness of ARVC and to support others navigating cardiac challenges. Drawing from her experience, Lauren will be a panelist during Reunion Weekend’s special assembly, The Strength to Rise: Lessons in Resilience, where alumnae will reflect on how they’ve faced adversity, embraced growth, and emerged stronger. Her story continues to inspire through both her resilience and her commitment to living life fully.
Lorrie continued her athletic journey at Yale and later at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine while leading multiple intramural championship teams. Since 2022, she has proudly represented the USA Women’s Master’s O-35 Indoor and Outdoor Teams, earning six international caps and being selected for the Master’s Outdoor World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa in 2024.
Last year, Lorrie brought her passion and expertise back to Ellis by helping to launch Ellis Mini Sticks, the school’s inaugural youth field hockey program. This program—made possible by a grant Lorrie secured from Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey—has been a longtime dream of hers. Thanks to Lorrie’s vision and leadership, Ellis Lower School students are now discovering the joy of field hockey and building a love for the game that shaped her own journey. Today, Lorrie balances her medical career and athletic pursuits with family life in Pittsburgh, where her daughters, Ellis students in the Classes of 2035 and 2037, are proudly carrying on her Ellis legacy.
These alumnae made a lasting impact as student-athletes that continued into their careers, reflecting the values of the Ellis community in their work and in their continued commitment to Ellis.
Back
In 2024, Lauren was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare genetic heart condition that has reshaped her relationship with athletics and wellness. She has shared her story publicly to help raise awareness of ARVC and to support others navigating cardiac challenges. Drawing from her experience, Lauren will be a panelist during Reunion Weekend’s special assembly, The Strength to Rise: Lessons in Resilience, where alumnae will reflect on how they’ve faced adversity, embraced growth, and emerged stronger. Her story continues to inspire through both her resilience and her commitment to living life fully.
Lorrie left an indelible mark on Ellis athletics as a “lifer” who played varsity field hockey, lacrosse, and basketball. A co-captain and MVP of the undefeated 2002 field hockey team, she led Ellis to back-to-back WPIAL championships and set program scoring records during her tenure. Equally dominant on the lacrosse field, Lorrie was a two-time team MVP and a US Lacrosse Academic All-American, helping secure a Western PA Division B title in 2002. Her basketball contributions included helping the team reach its first-ever WPIAL playoff appearance in 2003. A dedicated leader, she served as president of the Ellis Athletic Association and played a key role in planning the current gym facility.
Lorrie continued her athletic journey at Yale and later at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine while leading multiple intramural championship teams. Since 2022, she has proudly represented the USA Women’s Master’s O-35 Indoor and Outdoor Teams, earning six international caps and being selected for the Master’s Outdoor World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa in 2024.
Last year, Lorrie brought her passion and expertise back to Ellis by helping to launch Ellis Mini Sticks, the school’s inaugural youth field hockey program. This program—made possible by a grant Lorrie secured from Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey—has been a longtime dream of hers. Thanks to Lorrie’s vision and leadership, Ellis Lower School students are now discovering the joy of field hockey and building a love for the game that shaped her own journey. Today, Lorrie balances her medical career and athletic pursuits with family life in Pittsburgh, where her daughters, Ellis students in the Classes of 2035 and 2037, are proudly carrying on her Ellis legacy.
These alumnae made a lasting impact as student-athletes that continued into their careers, reflecting the values of the Ellis community in their work and in their continued commitment to Ellis.
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