Lacrosse: Naperville North's Benages working to grow sport

Growing the sport of lacrosse is Kevin Benages' passion, but it's not just about Naperville North, where he is the boys' team coach.

Rather, it's about getting sticks in the hands of youngsters to get them familiar with the sport, and building their love for it. That's the idea behind Orange Crush, a grass-roots program that does just that - grow and build.

"Do we service elite players?" Benages said. "Yes, but that's not our goal. Our goal is to put sticks into first-timers' hands and grow the sport at that youth level. To my knowledge, there isn't anything that meets those needs."

He's got his varsity players involved and they understand the importance of the program.

"When I was a kid and started playing lacrosse, whenever I got to practice with the high school students, they weren't adults in my mind," said senior captain Nate Hanson, a faceoff specialist and midfielder. "I was like, This is so cool. I think the kids really love to hang out with someone who knows a lot about the sport."

Orange Crush is targeted to all kids roughly ages 5 to 8. The program started in fall 2019, but then got derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, like just about everything else.

It started up again this winter, with an 8-week session that kicked off in January and recently concluded. The session includes learning skills like running with their stick, then the stick and the ball; navigating obstacles so they learn dodging and zigzagging; and, of course, passing and shooting drills.

There will be a six-week summer session, from June 5-July 17 but for those who can't wait, Naperville North will host Orange Crush Night on April 20, when the host Huskies face crosstown rival Naperville Central. That evening, kids new to the sport, and their parents, will be able to listen in on Benages' pregame speech and whiteboard chalk talk.

One of the interesting things about Orange Crush are the questions Benages and his players get from the kids.

"I play defense, so I carry around the six-foot stick, so some of the kids look at the larger stick and they're like, can I try it?" said senior captain Jack Wachtel, a defenseman.

Benages added with a laugh, "(They ask) when are we going to scrimmage?"

To learn more about Orange Crush, visit OrangeCrushLacrosseClub.com, @Crush_Lacrosse on Twitter, or @Orange_Crush_Lacrosse on Instagram.

Double trouble for Benet girls

First-year Benet coach Amanda Kammes has the luxury of two of the best players in the state in sophomore midfielder Shannon Earley and junior midfielder Jamie Weber, a transfer and a Gardner-Webb recruit.

But while they possess considerable skills, they can't do it all. That's why a group of relative newcomers to the sport are complementing Earley and Weber, making for a very potent combination for the Redwings, 5-0 entering Tuesday's away game against Nazareth.

There's junior defender Ang McKenna, who took up the sport last year and has developed into a master with ground balls, Kammes said. McKenna said the leadership shown by Earley and Weber have been key to not only her growth, but that of the team.

"They elevate everyone's level of play by 10 times," McKenna said. "Honestly, they are changing my entire perspective on the game."

Then there's senior midfielder Maddie McAndrew, who stands 5-foot-4 but is "tough as nails," according to Kammes.

Earley and Weber are cognizant of what teammates like McKenna and McAndrew are bringing to the teams quotient.

"They are bringing the most energy and they are amazing athletes out here," Earley said. "I spent a lot of time with Maddie working on her shot and her stick work."

Added Weber, "Their energy is just phenomenal."

The Redwings are sure to be a tough out in the IHSA playoffs come late May, but first they will have to navigate a challenging schedule early in the month that will include Hinsdale Central (May 2), York (May 4) and Marist (May 10).

College recruits buoy York girls

If you want to talk about an embarrassment of talent riches, look no further than the York girls, where coach Ryan Walz boasts five senior collegiate recruits.

That group includes three Division I players in midfielder Elle Duhig (Central Michigan) and midfielder Julia Kogan and senior goalie Marina Piszczor (both Xavier).

Then there is midfielder Bella Swanson, who will be playing at Division II Queens University (N.C.) next year, and defender Anna Mapes, slated for Division III College of Wooster (Ohio).

What's it like playing with all that talent?

"It's really nice because we can all work with each other and have the same skill level," Kogan said. "It's not just one person doing all the plays. We're like a working unit altogether."

Added Swanson: "We push each other, since we know we're going to the next level. We know it's important for us to lead the team."

Piszczor is an interesting case study. She's only in her second year of lacrosse, but picked it up fast due to her experience as a hockey goalie. Her story is serendipity.

"I've been a hockey goalie for 12 years, and in gym class we were playing soccer, and my friend was like, You should go out for soccer," she said. "My counselor is Mr. Walz, I brought it up to him one time at a meeting and he's like, You should go out for lacrosse. I came out for the spring session and absolutely loved it."