When sophomore Claire Jancuska plays defense for the University of Maryland Baltimore County’s (UMBC) lacrosse team, she is playing for an Audience of One.

She learned to do that in high school while attending an FCA lacrosse summer camp, and she’s done it ever since.

"I still remember the lessons I learned there – especially playing for an Audience of One," Jancuska said. "That was huge for me in high school. Camp was a powerful experience. I recommitted my life to Christ there."

After camp, she and a friend started an FCA huddle at her school, Westminster High in Sykesville, Md. She was varsity team captain on her lacrosse team her senior year and was named to the All-Chesapeake Conference Defensive first team. She helped lead the Owls to a regional championship all four years she was there and to a state championship once.

Through it all, FCA helped her stay grounded.

"Being an athlete, you have to keep your priorities in order and FCA lacrosse helps you do that," she said. "I have met people through FCA who love the Lord and encourage me to grow in Him."

After success and accolades in high school, Jacuska’s first year at UMBC wasn’t easy.

"I came here sitting on the bench and not playing much," she said. "That’s always a struggle and you look to the Lord for help."

She found, however, that the bench gave her an unlikely platform from which to share her faith. Her teammates watched how she handled adversity; she became a quiet leader. She didn’t preach; she simply influenced her teammates with her contagious joy and unwavering faith. Her connection with FCA lacrosse (she plays on FCA teams in the summer) had already helped pave her way of influence.

"I’d rather people see my happiness and come to me because they want happiness in their life," she said. "They knew I had played on an FCA team, so that makes it easy to talk to them about Christ."

This year, Jancuska is back on the playing field, getting more playing time than ever. She’s thankful for every second on the field and giving the Lord all the glory for it.

Last summer, she interned with FCA lacrosse and hopes to stay connected with the ministry as she completes her collegiate career. It helps her reach out to her teammates, she says.

"My experiences helping others make me want to find more answers to help them, as well," she said.