Lauren Thraves has served as assistant coach at Sweet Briar since the fall season of 2024.
Thraves comes to Sweet Briar as having served as head coach at Albemarle High School, Charlottesville High School, and The Covenant School (Charlottesville, Virginia). She most recently served as assistant coach at Western Albemarle High School. During time at both Albemarle and Western Albemarle, Thraves saw numerous student-athletes go on to play collegiate level lacrosse; including four USA Lacrosse High School All-Americans and nine selected for the US All-Academic Team, and eight named to All-Conference and All-State teams.
Thraves helped lead Western Albemarle to the Class 4A Virginia State Finals in 2022. Thraves also coached the Mid-Atlantic/Virginia teams at the USA Lacrosse High School Girls National Tournament from 2017-2022. During the years of 2017-2019, Thraves was selected to coach the Highlight Team for the DC/Maryland/Virginia region at the Under Armour All-America Games (currently New Balance All-America Tournament). From 2015-2018 Thraves led Albemarle High School to two Conference Championships, one Region Championship and three Final Four State Tournament appearances. Thraves was nominated for Virginia Class 5A Coach of the Year in 2016. Thraves was named Conference 16 Coach of the year and Region 5A Coach of the Year in 2016. While at Charlottesville High School (2009-2013), Thraves made one Region tournament appearance and received Jefferson District Coach of the Year in 2013. Throughout these years, Thraves has had over 50 student-athletes continue playing lacrosse at the collegiate level.
Additionally, Thraves has been a part of several lacrosse club teams in central Virginia from 2009-2019, serving as Head Coach for Cav Lax and Cavalier Lacrosse Club, and assistant coach for Miller Lacrosse Club, CV Lax, and Blue Ridge Lacrosse Club. She has also served as a high school basketball, field hockey, and volleyball coach.
In 2008, Thraves first joined the college coaching ranks at Mercyhurst North East as assistant coach in the NJCAA. Prior to serving at Mercyhurst North East, Thraves was a two year starter at Division II (Currently Division I) Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. She served as captain during her 2007 senior campaign. While playing collegiately, Thraves was also invited to play and represent the United States on the International Sports Tours Team at the 2006 Prague Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. Thraves also worked as a recruiter for International Sports Tours in the following year for the 2007 Prague Cup Team. Thraves is no stranger to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). During the 2004-2005 seasons, Thraves was a two year starter for Bridgewater College, and was the leading scorer in 2005. Thraves also played basketball for the Bridgewater Eagles, and was a walk-on to the Field Hockey team.
Lauren Thraves (formerly Smith) is from Charlottesville, Virginia where she attended The Covenant School. Thraves was a five year Varsity starter and was selected Honorable Mention All-LIS (2000), Second Team All-LIS (2001), and First Team All- LIS in 2002 and 2003. Thraves was team captain in 2002-2003. Thraves also played, and captained, basketball for the Covenant Eagles. She was recruited to play both lacrosse and basketball for Bridgewater College.
Thraves graduated from Mercyhurst University in 2008 with a Bachelors of Arts in Earth and Space Science Education while also receiving a minor in Geology. Thraves currently works as a Special Education Teacher at Albemarle High School in Charlottesville, Virgina. She resides with her son, Trip (13), who has been on the sidelines with mom since he was 2 weeks old.
