Wood’s work set him apart
In high school sports like basketball, football and baseball, there have been a good amount of local athletes that have been so phenomenal that they’ve taken their game to highly regarded universities. A few have even moved on to successful professional careers.
We don’t see it very often in lacrosse, though. In Wilmette or Winnetka, perhaps, but not as far south and west as Aurora, where Waubonsie Valley’s Zach Wood has been the exception to the rule.
Because of his high level of play throughout the season, his ability to mature as a player and make his team better with a balanced offensive attack, and for leading the Warriors to the Lacrosse Cup championship, Wood has been named to captain the first all-Daily Herald boys lacrosse team.
“The difference between this year and last was how he opened up his game,” Waubonsie Valley coach Mike Julius said. “He’s continued to mature and understand the dynamics of the game and it’s made him an even better player.”
Wheaton North, which won the Lacrosse Cup in 2010, dropped a 10-6 decision to Waubonsie Valley in late April, and coach Chris Weed was impressed with Wood.
“He’s a big kid that can move and his dad did an excellent job of teaching him to play the sport the right way,” Weed said. “He has great knowledge and stick stills and really is the whole deal. He can carry an entire team on his back and is just a phenomenal player.”
Wood finished the season with 82 goals, 33 assists and 71 ground balls. The junior now has 235 goals, 96 assists and 204 ground balls for the Warriors.
Wood became the first junior in Illinois to commit to a high-powered Division I men’s lacrosse team when he announced his decision to play at Virginia. Recently he was one of 122 players chosen to try out for the U.S. men’s national under-19 team. He became the first player from Illinois elected to try out since 2002. If he makes the team (tryouts are in July), he will play in Finland in 2012 for the Federation of International Lacrosse U19 World Championships.
While those accolades are individual in nature, he also achieved a total team achievement when the Warriors beat Grayslake North to win the Lacrosse Cup.
“It’s been beautiful to watch him mature as well as his skills to go with it,” Julius said. “It’s great that he gets his points, but it was something special for him to get that championship. Look at Dan Marino, he won all those passing records but he never got that Super Bowl ring. Zach got that championship.”
“Winning all these great accolades is something, but you don’t win a state title every year,” Wood said. “It’s a rare chance to do it and it’s something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”
At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Wood is usually one of the biggest kids on the field, but for such a large frame he plays with finesse and poise.
“He sees the field really well and is smart,” Julius said. “Last year he would try to take on two or three guys. This year he’s matured, and been able to get the ball to someone else when he’s needed to.”
A lot of that has to do with the talent around Wood. Players such as Connor Mersch and T.J. Berk helped make Wood’s job easier.
“Last year we really only had a few players for offense, and this year everyone scores,” Wood said. “It’s not been one individual all season. We all came together as a team and believed what we could do and did it.”
Wood had a lot do with the final result, as he scored 6 goals in the 16-9 title win against Grayslake North in the Lacrosse Cup.
“He’s one of those characters that you trust and look up to,” Mersch said. “We all know he’s the man to go to and the other teams know it too. I just love the kid.”
Mersch certainly benefitted from Wood’s selflessness.
“Someone of Zach’s ability could be a ball hog and get away with it, but he’s not like that,” he said.
Wood also understood that he needed to become more of a leader vocally.
“I feel like my role grew as the season progressed,” he said. “I’ve never been the rah-rah type guy, but I realized I needed to become more of a vocal leader to help the team.”
Wood said he first truly fell in love with sport when he was in fifth or sixth grade, as well as when he watched a Navy versus John Hopkins game on TV. By the time he was in eighth grade he truly committed himself, losing 50 pounds and making lacrosse his priority.
“I have to credit all of my coaches on that,” Wood said. “They told me I could play at the Division I level so I really focused on my game and lost the weight.”
While he has one more year in high school before he heads to Virginia, Wood is looking forward to advancing his game while cherishing every moment he gets to don the Waubonsie Valley uniform.
“Everyone who plays lacrosse seems to love it,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun and everyone gets to touch the ball. I just have a passion for it and want to stay involved in playing for as long as I can.”