Busy summer lacrosse season ahead
The Illinois high school lacrosse season concluded after Thursday’s B-Class and A-Class IHSLA all-star games, but there are a few notable tournaments this season where some of the top high school athletes will be in action, as well as some youngsters who will look to make an impact in high school in a few years.
Lacrosse America, which is celebrating its 20th year of promoting the growth of lacrosse in the Midwest while helping children develop their game, is hosting the Pipe City Lacrosse Festivals, July 16-17, in Vernon Hills. There will be five different age brackets and more than 50 teams representing five states.
In addition, Lacrosse America is hosting the Ultimate Summer Lacrosse Camp, July 12-15, at Benedictine University. This four-day camp includes room, board, meals, facilities and reversible jerseys. Call (847) 412-5LAX for more information.
2011 Brine All-Americans: Naperville North coach Kevin Benages is the head coach of the 2011 Brine All-American National Lacrosse Classic. This tournament brings the finest players entering their sophomore, junior and senior years next fall, as well as coaches from local, regional and national locations, so the competition is exceptional and rather challenging. It’s regarded as one of the premier college recruiting showcase events. Last year, more than 500 players from 29 states participated with over 85 NCAA lacrosse coaches in attendance to scout and recruit players.
The Midwest roster includes St. Charles North’s P.J. Bogle, St. Charles East’s William DeBord, Waubonsie Valley’s Scott Brown and Nick Rodgers, Wheaton Warrenville South’s Tyler Cook and Sam Prete, Libertyville’s Zach Friedman, Wheaton Academy’s Kai Libby, St. Viator’s Sam Mesi, Benet’s Jack Moran, Naperville Central’s John Ostrom, Fremd’s Nate Serviss, Stevenson’s Brendan Sheehan, Naperville North’s Conor Stout-Shoger and Richard Carrier and Metea Valley’s Nick Wood.
They’ll gather in Germantown, Md., July 5-8 with a field that includes 17 similarly selected regional teams.
The champion will qualify to play internationally against Canada for the Brogden Cup.
End of an era: When St. Charles lost to St. Viator in the A-Class quarterfinals on May 31, it ended a wonderful run by the program, which will be splitting up this summer. In 2012, there will be a St. Charles North team and a St. Charles East team.
“The numbers from St. Charles East have always been much lower than the numbers over at St. Charles North,” St. Charles coach Andy Thompson said. “However, we had a good number of signups from East over the last two years and now we feel like we can field a varsity and JV program at each of the schools.”
Thompson hasn’t decided where he’ll coach next year. He’s obviously torn. On the one hand, he graduated from East. On the other hand, he lives just five minutes away from North.
“We are very excited about this and can’t wait to start up the rivalry between the two schools,” he said. “I have not yet made a decision on where I am going to coach at, but I will be at one of the two schools.”
With Thompson at the helm, St. Charles compiled a 64-8 regular season record from 2007-2011 while making five straight quarterfinal appearances and four straight semifinal appearances. In 2010, the program garnered national attention, as U.S. Lacrosse Magazine ranked the team No. 6 in the Midwest.
The program has had 13 all-state players and four All-American selections, including Pat McGushin this spring. There are currently 18 former St. Charles players currently competing in the NCAA, including seven at the Division I level.
If you can’t beat ’em: Culver Academy manhandled St. Charles 16-4 this spring and will will get the services of former St. Charles North student-athlete P.J. Bogle, who is transferring to Culver. Bogle, a 2011 Brine All-American and a second team all-conference selection, was expected to play an even more prominent role on St. Charles’ attack next spring, but there are also changes coming in St. Charles with the program splitting.
Pasqualicchio moves on: Hinsdale Central coach Vic Pasqualicchio recently announced that he has stepped down from his coaching position. Pasqualicchio coached the Red Devils for the past four years and has been a head coach for 11 years. Hinsdale Central is one of the oldest boys lacrosse programs in the state, having just completed its 30th year. An official announcement regarding a new coach has not been made.
Keep in touch: Although it’s summer vacation, there will be plenty of lacrosse being played throughout these warmer months, as well as final decisions from some graduates about playing in college. Please share boys lacrosse news this summer at walker.chris154@yahoo.com.