Legendary Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant once made the statement that "offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships." Every defense is built around an 'enforcer'—someone that makes their defensive presence felt at the critical moment—which highlights the unit and gives themselves a defining role in the game. Among the great enforcers include Dikembe Mutombo (Atlanta Hawks / Denver Nuggest), Dennis Rodman (Detroit Pistons / Chicago Bulls), Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), Ronnie Lott (San Francisco 49ers) and for the Salem lacrosse team it is Cara James.
James enters her senior season ranked first in career ground balls (77) and second in both draw controls (54) and caused turnovers (53) in Salem history. She gained praise for her defensive prowess as a junior, becoming the second Spirit in program history to be named USA South Defensive Player of the Week on March 2, 2020. That was one week after teammate Collette Vladimery became the first Salem player to be distinguished with the same honor on February 24.
The Allen, Texas, native was a force throughout her junior campaign, ranking among the top-five in ground balls (34—1st), draw controls (20—1st), caused turnovers (19—2nd) while adding three goals on four shots on goal. In Salem's 16-15 overtime victory over Randolph, which came on Feb. 22, James was responsible for seven ground balls, four draw controls and two caused turnovers. Eight days later, in a clash with Sweet Briar, James established the program's single-game record for ground balls (12) and caused turnovers (nine) and winning eight draw controls.
Salem's only All-Conference Defensive Team representative, an honor which was bestowed on James in 2019 when she was named to the second team by USA South coaches, she owns 13 Top-10 single-game records in program history.
James recently discussed a number of topics to provide insight on her career both on and off the field. She made the following statements:
Name: Cara "CJ" James
Sport(s): Lacrosse
Who inspired you to play this sport and why? My dad inspired me to try out lacrosse! We were driving by a city sign advertising a startup lacrosse program for elementary school girls, and my soccer team at the time had just broken up. My dad encouraged me to try the sport out and I loved it.
Favorite Food: Mexican food for sure
Favorite Class at Salem: Developmental Psychology with Dr. B, she's my fav professor and that class was super interesting.
What is the one thing that you have learned most by competing in athletics that you apply in everyday life? Preparation for events in your life is essential. Not working out for three months then trying to play a game is not going to have great results, and the same principle applies across other aspects of life.
Best Salem moment in sports: Winning against Randolph this past season
Plans after I finish college: I plan of getting my Masters in Library and Information Sciences hopefully at University of Illinois
Superstitions that are in my pregame ritual: I don't really have any pregame rituals. I just try to really stretch my legs and make sure I've done everything I have to with Ariel.
How did you pick your jersey number: Four is actually not my first pick, an older teammate had chosen the number eight which is the number I'd had since I was five. She graduated last season, but my coach gave the number to a freshman so I had to stick with number four again. Fingers crossed for the number eight this next season though if we get to play!
If you could travel anywhere where would you go: Croatia or Greece. Anywhere with good food or a pretty beach really.
What made you decide to attend Salem: The small classes, beautiful campus, and the fact that they had a Division III lacrosse team!