After months of winter workouts and one on one dodging reps, the boys lacrosse team finally steps into the spring with a roster that blends seasoned leadership and hungry young talent.
The boys lacrosse team officially began their season on March 1, but conference play doesn’t begin until March 20 when they head to York Catholic. The Warriors are coming off a rough 7-9 season last year, but they are looking forward to bringing back the success they had in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. They won the district championship in 2022 and made the state tournament in both 2022 and 2023. The team is led by seniors Troy Angle, Ryan Simons and junior Jacob Burns. Head coach Mason Markey also returns for the Warriors. Junior Chandler Tindal understands the identity of the team and how they are welcoming the new players.
“I would say that the identity of the lacrosse team this year is definitely more welcoming,” Tindal said. “We have a lot of new guys on the team. We have at least 15 new kids, and I feel like they all feel pretty welcome like joining the team. The other upperclassman and I have definitely been welcoming the new players.”
Freshman Braden Koller feels the seniors have helped him grow and transition to high school lacrosse.
“The seniors have helped me out learn new drills, and they have given me an example of who to strive for,” Koller said. “They are very positive, and they’re always encouraging each other to do better.”
Markey is looking forward to some of this season’s games and the challenge they will bring.
“The home opener against Lower Dauphin should be a great test for us,” Markey said. “They are very well coached and at a similar level to us, so it should be a very fun test. Beyond that, our biggest tests would be the big teams in our league: New Oxford, Central York, Dallastown and Southwestern are the big contenders preseason this year.”
Tindal is looking forward to the games where he knows the competition.
“I’m really excited for Kennard-Dale,” Tindal said. They are our biggest rival, I also have a lot of friends on that team, and I’m also ready for Dallastown because I know a lot of kids on that team as well. Also, these teams will be big challenges for us.”
Markey has set goals for the season and what they need to do to beat these tough teams like Dallastown and Central York.
“The main goal is to focus on the next moment.,” Markey said. “We can get caught up in looking too far ahead, and planning our season before it happens. I have to make sure I’m leading by example with this and not speak too much about opponents who are not next on the schedule.”
Tindal is focused on his future this season and how he can make it a success.
“I want to try to get a few colleges you know to notice me,” Tindall said. “Division III is what I would probably be looking at. I also want to become a better leader or a person that someone could talk to if they need help with something.”
