
Evelyn Nelson, a senior at Sleepy Hollow High School, has led an impressive athletic career straddling two sports: field hockey and lacrosse.
Nelson stood out from a young age. She received the field hockey Rookie of the Year award for the 2020-2021 academic year in eighth grade, before entering high school determined to prove her spot. As a five-year varsity starter, Nelson has made both the Briarcliff and Yorktown High School All Tournament-Teams from 2021 and 2023. She became an All- League and All-Section field hockey player every year starting in 2022 and ended 2025 as an All-State selection.
With similar accomplishments in lacrosse, Nelson has been a five-year varsity starter and an All-League and All-Section player from 2021 to 2024. Among her accomplishments, Nelson has made herself known through her performance at Rye Field Hockey Academy where she competed in a national indoor tournament in 2024. You can also spot her in USA Lacrosse Magazine as the Northeastern Player of the Week for March 2024.
Sleepy Hollow is familiar with the Nelson name, as Evelyn’s older brother Dylan Nelson, 22, now plays lacrosse at MIT, with their youngest sibling Dean Nelson, 15, following in their footsteps, also playing varsity lacrosse at Sleepy Hollow High School.
Sleepy Hollow High School Director of Athletics Michael Arias praised Nelson’s duality as a student-athlete. “Evelyn is an exceptional two-sport athlete, excelling in both field hockey and lacrosse, and is recognized as one of the top student-athletes in the region,” he stated. “In addition to her athletic success, Evelyn is a standout student, consistently ranking among the highest in her class. She also demonstrates remarkable leadership both on and off the field and is actively involved in her community.”

On top of athletics, Nelson is the president of the Science Honor Society. She is also a member of the National Math, English, Art, and Rho Kappa Honor Societies. As class treasurer since 2021, Nelson is seen as a role model through her time working with SHHS Cares and Horsemen Against Destructive Decisions. Helping others is a high priority for Nelson, as she also peer mentors in writing at the Collab Lab.
“Managing time between athletics, academics, recreation, and family life has definitely been a struggle,” Nelson said. “Since athletics consume most of my day, I have to make decisions about what else to prioritize. During the week I usually only have time for practice and schoolwork, but on weekends I strive to devote time to my family, friends and personal interests,” Nelson said. Her experience as a student-athlete has challenged and encouraged her to make sacrifices, build lasting friendships and to strive for excellence in everything she does.
In addition to her time on the field and in the classroom, Nelson still finds the energy to volunteer with the Youth Legends Lacrosse Program where she originally discovered the sport, as well as the Tarrytown Arts Camp.
“I’ve played lacrosse for as long as I can remember, participating in the Youth Legends Lacrosse Program. I was inspired by the varsity players who volunteered. Watching them sparked my passion for the game and fueled my desire to get better,” Nelson said. As soon as Nelson was given the opportunity to play field hockey in seventh grade, she fell in love with the sport.
Lacrosse Coach Michael Marchese sees Nelson as a stellar athlete and has watched her grow from a young age. “Beyond the statistics, Evelyn Nelson is simply a spectacular student-athlete. As a player she is a thoughtful, empathetic, and grounded leader, and the most focused, hardworking, and competitive athlete on the field, he said. “I have coached Evelyn since she was 6 years old and she has given me, and taught me, much more than I possibly could have given her. She has elevated me as a coach, and a person, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a small part of her journey.”
When asked what the most rewarding part of athletics is for her, Nelson responded with how satisfied she feels after achieving a goal she set for herself.
“Successfully applying a new skill in these scenarios is rewarding and it proves to me that I’m improving my game,” she said. “Also, the feeling of being tired after a game is rewarding because I know that I gave my all. At the end of the day, that’s all you can do. Walking away knowing I gave it my best, no matter the outcome, gives me a sense of accomplishment.”