Molly Magnan is one of those people you just love to love.

"She had a joke for me every day, but when it was time to work, she would work," said Freedom girls' soccer coach Jamie Halper.

A four-year letter winner and four-year starter on the soccer team, Magnan was a captain for two years and most recently played the midfield, leading in scoring for the Patriots this season and having an assist in almost every game.

"She's very good at setting up plays, and she's a strong player in the middle. She brings drive, determination, and she got the girls moving," Halper said.

Not only did Magnan's teammates accept her, they looked up to her.

"She is a very positive influence both on and off the field. She's funny, and she likes to goof around, but she got them motivated, and she made them rise to the occasion," said Halper.

Magnan was more than happy to do so.

"I love taking charge, and having them rely on me. I like being the crazy one, but once it comes down to business, I'm very competitive and make the best of every situation. If you're not enjoying it, there's no point," Magnan said.

Physically, Magnan came into the past soccer season in the best shape of her life.

"I did a lot of training in the summer because I knew I was head senior, and I had a lot on me, and I wanted to perform my best," she said.

For brand new Freedom High School head swimming coach, Reik Foust, Magnan was his right arm at times this season.

"When I got to Freedom, I could tell she was the ringleader. She got the girls together and helped me make it a team instead of 30 individuals. She's one to take charge and get everyone on the same page," said Foust.

For Magnan, the Patriot senior was somewhat skeptical, yet open-minded about the new swimming staff. Afte rall, Foust would be her third high school coach in four years.

"They seemed friendly, and I had no idea who they were, but Reik and I hit it off. Right off the bat, I formed a great relationship with him," Magnan said.

What she didn't know was that Foust was about to change swimming for Magnan as she knew it.

"The freestyle was definitely her stroke, and last year, she was a 500 [free] swimmer, but I tried to convert her into a sprinter because she's tall and strong," said Foust.

Magnan dropped 4 seconds in the 100 free, 1 1/2 seconds in the 50 free, and had her fastest 50 in the 200 free relay at districts, where Easton outtouched the Pates by .02 seconds.

"I never swam club, but I swam with club swimmers, and I can hold my own. Reik molded me into a sprinter, and I'm the fastest I've ever been, and I'm in tip-top shape. I'm really glad he's in my life now. I was never able to hit those times before," said Magnan.

Magnan was never the one to get awards and accolades either; that is, until this year, when she won the Coach's Award for FHS swimming, the MVP Offense Award for FHS soccer, the Female Athlete of the Year Award for FHS, and now the FHS Female Player of the Year Award for Bethlehem Press.

"She's just a great human being. You never see anybody dislike her. She's one of those people everyone likes to be around. She's an absolute blast. She's fun, but she always knew why she was [at swimming practice]. She was the first one in the water and the last one out of the water," Foust said.

It appears that Foust's assessment of Magnan has already been realized by University of Vermont swimming coach, Gerry Cournoyer, whom Magnan emailed just a day or two before a visit to the university.

No, Magnan didn't go there with a highlight reel or a resume, but when Cournoyer and Magnan met at orientation, the swim coach welcomed the incoming freshman to the swim team on the spot.

"Everyone is so welcoming, so chill. There's a great vibe. I know I'm coming in as the underdog, and it will be hard in the beginning, but once I get through the first two or three weeks, I'll be all right," said Magnan.

Swimming has been as vital to Magnan as the air she breathes.

"There was never one day I didn't want to be at practice. I like to be pushed. It's a stress reliever. I love the whole team aspect, but I love that you're on your own. It's brought out all my leadership qualities. I love the atmosphere, I love the competition, and I love that you can be who you want to be. Swimmers just accept you for who you are," she said.

In Magnan's case, one of those people you just love to love.