Jack McHenry ’27, originally from Park City, UT, is a faceoff player who has had an amazing career, with more to come this spring and in his final season in 2027. McHenry boasts a faceoff win percentage season record (2025) of 0.677, and has garnered All-Centennial Second Team (2024), Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America Honorable Mention (2025), and Centennial Honor Roll (2025) awards. McHenry has had a stellar start to the 2026 men’s lacrosse season, leading all of the three seasons in ground balls and faceoffs. As the No. 18-ranked Garnet look ahead to the near beginning of conference play, McHenry will play an integral role in faceoffs, conversions, and ball possession.
Katie Kerman: Congrats on your stellar performance against Eastern University and Messiah University! How does it feel to be shortly awaiting the beginning of the regular season with some wins under the team’s belt and a team national ranking of eighteen?
Jack McHenry: It definitely feels great to start the season with some strong wins. These early-season wins give us confidence, but also show us what we need to improve on as we progress through the season.
KK: What are some team and individual goals for the Centennial Conference regular play?
JM: Our goal as a team is to go undefeated in conference play and win the Centennial [Conference]. Individually, I just want to support the team in any way I can so that we put ourselves in the best position to reach that goal.
KK: How are you all preparing for the beginning of the Centennial Season, both mentally and physically?
JM: Mentally, we are keeping things straightforward by staying focused, competitive, and locked in on the details that matter. Physically, we have been working extremely hard in the weight room and in practice in order to be prepared for some tough late-season Centennial games.
KK: With years of athletic success under your belt, how do you keep calm under the pressure of competition?
JM: I try to maintain a next-play mindset. Regardless of how the previous play went, I reset and wipe it from my mind. Focusing on the moment keeps me calm and lets me play with confidence instead of getting caught up in pressure.
KK: What have been some team highlights of the season thus far?
JM: I think a major highlight of the season so far has been the defensive lifting sessions. The energy is constantly high, everyone is flying around, and there is constant motivation to push each other and get better.
KK: Do you have any pre-game or post-game rituals?
JM: Pre-game, I try to keep it simple. I get to the locker room early to stretch, see the trainers, and listen to music to get locked in. After games, I try to relax by grabbing food with friends or family.
KK: Why did you choose Swarthmore? What is your area of study?
JM: I chose Swarthmore because it offers high-level academics as well as competitive athletics. It also gave me the chance to easily study in multiple fields that I found interesting, which is something that can be hard to do at many other schools. I am majoring in computer science and economics.
KK: What is your favorite class that you’ve taken at Swarthmore?
JM: My favorite class so far has been Software Engineering. In this class, I had the opportunity to create a website with a team, which made the course really engaging and gave me practical experience with building something from the ground up.
KK: How has being a student-athlete impacted your experience at Swarthmore? What is one piece of advice you would give to incoming student-athletes?
JM: Being a student-athlete has shaped my entire experience here. It has given me some of my best friends from day one and taught me how to manage my time, handle pressure, and stay disciplined. My advice for incoming student-athletes is to embrace the balance. If you stay organized and take advantage of the support around you, you can succeed both on the field and in the classroom.
