Who are the top high school lacrosse players in America. How does USA Lacrosse select All-Americans. What criteria are used to evaluate players for this prestigious award. How do All-American honors impact college recruitment prospects.
USA Lacrosse All-American Awards: Recognizing Elite High School Talent
USA Lacrosse, the national governing body for the sport, annually bestows All-American honors upon the most exceptional high school lacrosse players across the country. This prestigious recognition celebrates not only athletic prowess but also academic achievement and exemplary character.
Selection Criteria for All-American Honors
To be considered for All-American status, players must excel in several key areas:
- On-field performance and statistical achievements
- Academic success and commitment to education
- Leadership qualities and sportsmanship
- Community involvement and volunteer work
USA Lacrosse emphasizes that All-Americans should embody the highest standards of the sport both on and off the field.
The Impact of All-American Recognition
Earning All-American honors can significantly boost a player’s profile and future opportunities:
- Increased visibility to college recruiters
- Enhanced scholarship prospects
- Validation of skill level and dedication
- Prestige within the lacrosse community
Spotlight on Recent All-American Selections
The 2023 season saw numerous talented players receive All-American recognition. Among the standouts were Johnny Soi from Rondout Valley High School and Landon Zehr of Highland High School, both in New York state.
Johnny Soi: Midfield Maestro
Johnny Soi, a senior midfielder, demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership throughout the season. His selection to the Section 9 Small School first-team all-star unit further underscores his impact on the field.
Landon Zehr: Goalie Extraordinaire
Junior goalie Landon Zehr not only secured All-American honors but also earned a spot on the Class C and D first team. Zehr’s performances between the pipes played a crucial role in Highland’s success.
Beyond Individual Accolades: Team Success Stories
While individual awards are celebrated, lacrosse remains a team sport. The 2023 season saw several schools achieve remarkable success, with Red Hook High School emerging as a powerhouse in New York’s Section 9.
Red Hook’s Dominant Season
Red Hook High School’s lacrosse program showcased its depth and talent, placing an impressive six players on the first team Small School all-star squad:
- Mikey Mrzyglod (Attack)
- Brady Kelly (Attack)
- Gabe Gravino (Midfield)
- Landon Ramsey (Defense)
- Matt Mullins (Defense)
- Nate Strassberger (Face-off Midfield)
The Raiders’ 14-3 record and appearance in the Section 9 Class C title game reflect the team’s overall excellence.
Coaching Excellence: Shaping the Future of Lacrosse
Behind every successful team and player stands a dedicated coach. The 2023 season saw several coaches recognized for their outstanding contributions to the sport.
Rich Saulino: Coach of the Year
Red Hook’s Rich Saulino was named Coach of the Year, a testament to his leadership and the program’s success. Saulino’s ability to develop talent and foster a winning culture has established Red Hook as a lacrosse powerhouse.
The Role of Coaching in Player Development
Exceptional coaches like Saulino play a crucial role in nurturing young talent and preparing players for success at the collegiate level and beyond. Their impact extends far beyond wins and losses, shaping the character and work ethic of their athletes.
Academic Achievement in Lacrosse: Balancing Books and Ball
USA Lacrosse places a strong emphasis on academic excellence, recognizing that success in the classroom is just as important as performance on the field.
All-Academic Honors
Two standout players, Wallkill’s Colin McCartney and Highland’s Landon Zehr, earned All-Academic honors in addition to their on-field accolades. This recognition highlights their ability to excel both athletically and academically.
The Importance of Academic Success for College Prospects
For high school lacrosse players aspiring to compete at the collegiate level, maintaining strong academic performance is crucial. Many top college programs have rigorous academic standards, and players must demonstrate their ability to balance athletic commitments with schoolwork.
The Growth of Girls’ Lacrosse: Spotlight on Texas
While boys’ lacrosse has a long-established history in many parts of the country, girls’ lacrosse is experiencing rapid growth in regions like Texas. The Texas Girls High School Lacrosse League (TGHSLL) is at the forefront of this expansion.
TGHSLL: Nurturing the Sport’s Growth
The TGHSLL serves as a unifying organization for high school girls’ lacrosse programs across Texas. Its mission includes:
- Promoting and developing lacrosse programs for young women in grades 9-12
- Providing resources and support to players, coaches, officials, and administrators
- Fostering a love for the game and encouraging long-term participation
Recent Achievements in Texas Girls’ Lacrosse
The 2023 season saw several notable accomplishments in Texas girls’ lacrosse:
- Hockaday School crowned as Division I State Champions
- Keller High School securing the Division II State Championship
- Bishop Lynch High School claiming the Division III State title
These achievements highlight the growing competitiveness and quality of girls’ lacrosse in Texas.
The Future of High School Lacrosse: Trends and Predictions
As lacrosse continues to grow in popularity across the United States, several trends are shaping the future of the high school game.
Expanding Geographic Reach
Lacrosse is no longer confined to its traditional strongholds in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. States like Texas, Colorado, and California are seeing rapid growth in both boys’ and girls’ programs.
Increasing Diversity and Inclusion
Efforts to make lacrosse more accessible to players from diverse backgrounds are gaining momentum. Initiatives focused on urban areas and underserved communities aim to broaden the sport’s appeal and talent pool.
Technological Advancements
The integration of technology in coaching, player development, and game analysis is becoming more prevalent. Video analysis tools, wearable devices, and advanced statistics are enhancing training methods and strategic planning.
Focus on Player Safety
As awareness of sports-related injuries grows, high school lacrosse programs are placing increased emphasis on player safety. This includes improved protective equipment, stricter enforcement of rules designed to prevent dangerous play, and enhanced concussion protocols.
Conclusion: Celebrating Excellence and Fostering Growth
The landscape of high school lacrosse continues to evolve, with programs across the country producing exceptional talent and fostering a love for the game. From All-American honorees like Johnny Soi and Landon Zehr to the emerging stars in Texas girls’ lacrosse, the future of the sport looks bright.
As we celebrate individual achievements and team successes, it’s clear that high school lacrosse is about more than just winning games. It’s about developing well-rounded student-athletes, building character, and creating lifelong passions for a sport that combines athleticism, strategy, and teamwork.
With dedicated coaches, supportive communities, and organizations like USA Lacrosse and TGHSLL leading the way, high school lacrosse is poised for continued growth and excellence in the years to come. As new regions embrace the sport and traditional powerhouses maintain their standards of excellence, the pool of All-American talent will only grow deeper, ensuring a bright future for lacrosse at all levels of play.
Rondout Valley’s Johnny Soi, Highland’s Landon Zehr named All-Americans – Daily Freeman
KINGSTON, N.Y. — Rondout Valley High’s Johnny Soi and Highland’s Landon Zehr were named All-Americans by USA Lacrosse.
The award is given annually to high school boys lacrosse players for their accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and in the community. A USA Lacrosse All-American is one of
the best players within their respective areas, while also embodying excellent sportsmanship.
Red Hook’s Rich Saulino was named Coach of the Year and Wallkill’s Colin McCartney and Zehr earned All-Academic honors.
Soi, a senior midfielder, was also selected to the Section 9 Small School (Class C and D) first-team all-star unit named by area coaches. Zehr, a junior goalie, was also a member of the Class C and D first team.
Red Hook High landed six players on the first team Small School all-star squad to lead all area schools.
Red Hook players to make the first team were Mikey Mrzyglod (attack), Brady Kelly (attack), Gabe Gravino (midfield), Landon Ramsey (defense), Matt Mullins (defense) and Nate Strassberger (face-off midfield).
The Raiders finished the season with a 14-3 mark after losing 14-10 in the Section 9 Class C title game to Our Lady of Lourdes on Saturday.
Also named to the Class C and D first team were Rondout Valley’s Tyson Meade (defense) and New Paltz’s Miles Soper (defense).
Landon MacDougall (attack) and Dave Morris (close defense) of Saugerties were selected to the Class C and D second team.
Rondout Valley’s Connor Slinsky (attack), Preston Demorest (close defense), Aiden Demorest (face-off midfield), Tristan Post (long stick midfield) and Reid Wogan (short stick defensive
midfield) were also picked for the second team along with New Paltz’s Cole Cuppett (midfield), Mark DiDonna (midfield) and Cooper Driscol (close defense). Red Hook’s John Macri (midfield) also made the second team.
Local athletes named Class C and D honorable mentions were Jack Powers (attack), Oscar Cline (attack), Logan Ormand (attack), Cain Osarczuk (goalie) and Caden Shuman (short stick defensive midfield) of New Paltz and Red Hook’s James Hennig (attack), Jackson Taylor (close defense), Yoav Alperson (goalie), Sawyer Smith (long stick defensive midfield) and Harrison Brown (short stick midfield).
Highland’s Logan Davis (attack), Ben Canino (midfield), Luke Weise (midfield) and Maison Bragg (long stick midfield) were also honorable mention picks.
Kingston’s Tyson DeLisio (attack) and Wallkill’s Richie Martinez (attack) and McCartney (midfield) were named to the Class A and B Large School first-team all-star squad.
Tavon Mejias (close defense) of Kingston and Wallkill’s John Caravan (attack) and Carson Frisbee (close defense) were second-team choices on the Class A and B squad.
Chase Fromson (midfield) and Michael Stalter (long stick midfield) of Kington were honorable mentions along with Wallkill’s Ian Rodriguez (close defense) and Mason Ondreyko (face-off midfield).
Editor’s note: This story was updated May 30, 2023, at 2:10 p.m. to correct the last name of New Paltz player Miles Soper.
Texas Girls High School Lacrosse League
Texas Girls in the News
Harper Jones, Ava Valdez and Mae Flanagan are named as standouts at Sandstorm!
2023 TGHSLL State Champions
Congratulations to DI Champ Hockaday!
Congratulations to DII Champ Keller!
Congratulations to DIII Champ Bishop Lynch!
2022 USA Lacrosse All American Award Winners
2023 TGHSLL State Tournament
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Texas Girls High School Lacrosse League
TGHSLL is a High School sports organization dedicated to promoting the sport of Lacrosse for young women in 9th-12th grade in the state of Texas.
TGHSLL will support all local area high school lacrosse programs, and encourage youth players to continue their participation at the high school level.
The Goals of TGHSLL are:
To unify, promote, and provide programs and services to the players, coaches, officials and administrators of HS. women’s lacrosse in Texas.
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Serve as a geographic focal point for the education and development of lacrosse, and bringing lacrosse programs & services to members in our each of our districts.
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Actively and consistently communicate to chapter members.
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Serving as the unbiased, umbrella support organization to grow women’s lacrosse across the great state of Texas
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Honoring players, coaches, and officials whose skill and conduct on the field inspire a high regard for the game of lacrosse
Call to Action/Volunteer Form
TGHSLL is actively seeking volunteers for several positions and committees.
Please use this link to apply
Upcoming Events for HS Girls Lacrosse
A listing of events & opportunities for Texas Lacrosse Players
All America Lacrosse-Southwest Tryouts
Dallas Tryout, 5/20/2023 Parrish SchoolNike/xcelerate Lacrosse Camp-Houston
Day Camp for girls age 14-18. June 5-8 2023USAL National Teams Development Program Tryouts
The NTDP is a pipeline to the Senior National Teams and offers an opportunity for players to compete with the best in the country. The regional tryouts are one-day, 180-minute evaluations. The top 150 players will be invited to the National Combine, hosted in Maryland in August, and eventually 44 women will be named to the USA Select Teams to compete against international competition in October
stghsll
Team Texas is having a great run at the WNT! Go Houston!
stghsll
Lacrosse Hall of Fame also! Jim Brown, NFL legend and Hall of Famer, has died at 87 – https://t.
co/hieeJV5c7V
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@MJW_Tx https://t.co/CUjFSD2DXl
Join the conversation
Contact TGHSLL
People who will change everything: 5 schools in the US that train the leaders of tomorrow
Resumes mentioning these schools do not stay on the desks of human resources directors of the largest international companies. Students on these campuses become key figures in the world of science, business, art and sports. Five American schools, within the walls of which study turns into something more than just getting knowledge.
Phillips Academy Andover
If the experts in secondary education were to choose the most valuable brand in America, most of them would undoubtedly vote for Phillips Academy Andover. Year after year, ratings give this educational institution near Boston the palm in the US private boarding school dispute.
For more than 2 centuries of operation, Phillips Academy Andover has become synonymous with elite education.
The list of famous graduates of the school inspires awe, and the very fact of entering here seems to guarantee a pass to the circle of the powerful.
“Andover meets you where you are now and takes you where you want to go,” says the official website of the establishment. The school really provides almost limitless opportunities for the realization of cognitive ambitions. Students can create an individual plan of more than 300 courses. Some of them correspond to the degree of specialization of the magistracy, if not doctoral studies. Studying the history of the Vikings, the literature of post-colonial India, traces of life in interstellar space, the relationship between human behavior and the availability of water resources: how do you like this level of immersion in your favorite topic?
Phillips Exeter Academy
“Studying here will change your life,” the Philips Exeter Academy brochure promises. Scientists, journalists, designers, engineers, businessmen who once graduated from the walls of this prestigious school in New Hampshire lived very different lives, but they agree on one thing: it was here that they were taught to take a keen interest in the world around them and ask the right questions.
Every voice counts, Philips Exeter Academy says. Back in the 30s of the last century, lessons began to be held here at the oval table, so that learning took place in the form of a dialogue, and the teacher and students were on an equal footing. The famous Harkness table, named after the philanthropist Edward Harkness, who introduced this democratic teaching method, is still a key element of the school’s philosophy.
Mark Zuckerberg, the future founder of Facebook, also worked at such an oval table. In an interview, he called his brainchild “a platform for all ideas.” Most likely, it was the ideals of Philips Exeter Academy that inspired him: the global social network in his understanding was to become a virtual Harkness table for millions of people.
Lawrenceville School
Children achieve more when they are surrounded by care and support, according to Lawrenceville School. A family-friendly, trusting atmosphere is in the DNA of this New Jersey private school near Princeton University.
For over 200 years, Lawrenceville School has nurtured some of America’s most inquisitive minds. In the 19th century, for the first time in the country, the study of foreign languages was introduced into the curriculum, and today dozens of a wide variety of scientific disciplines, sports and creative activities are offered.
Getting to Lawrenceville School, each student becomes part of one of twenty houses: small associations of schoolchildren within a large school community. Each house has its own council, flag, and distinctive colors. Each of them has its own teaching staff. Houses compete for awards in scientific and sports competitions.
The school’s philosophy is reflected in its campus, which was designed by New York’s Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted. He singled out a separate building for each house, but they are all concentrated around the central square – The Circle.
The house system at Lawrenceville School is revered, believed to create a sense of belonging.
“Which house were you in?” – this is perhaps the first question that will be asked at the meeting of graduates.
Hotchkiss School
Hotchkiss School was founded at the end of the 19th century to prepare boys for admission to Yale University. “The duty of the student is first to become a gentleman, then a scientist, then, if possible, an athlete,” declared the school magazine 1893 years. More than a century later, Hotchkiss School is open to both girls and children from all over the world, but its values - respect for the individual, encouragement of intellectual search, discipline, character – remain unshakable to this day.
More than 200 disciplines are taught at the school. In classes, children are divided into small groups, and the process itself is as interactive as possible. Students are encouraged to be independent: they are taught to take risks, try, express their opinion, make mistakes and try again.
The old campus of Hotchkiss School is located in the middle of picturesque meadows and forests in the state of Connecticut.
Even the newspapers of 1892 wrote that “in all the United States, perhaps, there is no more beautiful example of school architecture.” The buildings are adjacent to golf and baseball fields, which offer stunning views of the lake. The reservoir is used for its intended purpose: the students here go in for sailing.
Deerfield Academy
From classical languages and classical philosophy to the cutting edge of astrophysics and molecular biology, at Deerfield Academy students are immersed in a special educational environment in which they learn to think outside the box and persevere in pursuit of their goals.
Nestled in the quiet countryside of western Massachusetts, the school has been training America’s intellectual elite for more than two centuries. Deerfield Academy was founded in 1797, at the dawn of the history of the American state. Today, the school professes a holistic approach, which implies the comprehensive and harmonious development of children.
A Deerfield schoolboy is not only a brilliant scholar, but also an athlete.
Sports are built into a cult here, and other professional teams can envy the infrastructure on campus. Deerfield has two amazing ice skating rinks, its own rowing gym, ski slopes, not to mention golf, lacrosse, baseball and American football.
smog from Canadian wildfires reaches Washington – InoTV
While wildfires continue to rage in Canada, US residents are suffering from a noticeable decrease in air quality. According to the latest data, now the top three cities with the most polluted air in the world are American Detroit, Washington and Chicago. The situation is complicated by the heat and approaching national holidays. However, authorities advise residents to limit their stay on the street as much as possible, according to CBS News.
The United States is struggling with some of the worst air quality on earth.
According to the Air Quality Index, Detroit currently has the most polluted air in the world. Washington, you see just the Capitol, and Chicago came in second and third respectively.
All of this is the result of the ongoing wildfires in Canada. More than 100 million people in the Midwest and along the East Coast have received medical advice because of the smoke.
CBS News Congressional Correspondent Scott McFarland changed his typical Washington polo suit because it’s hot outside and the air quality is terrible. Know if Scott is in polo, then it’s warm outside. Scott, tell us what is the air quality around you and how do people perceive it?
SCOTT MCFARLAND Correspondent : The air has the texture and smell of a brazier. Let’s start with this. This is the worst air quality in America, if not the worst in the world. Right here in the nation’s capital, in the middle of a summer day, these streets must be filled with people. In reality, it’s not like that. Local authorities have imposed restrictions. And there are also informal restrictions that people accept themselves.
But let’s start with the orders of the authorities./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60234985/DSC_0088.0.jpeg)
The District of Columbia, Maryland and neighboring states have issued an alert asking them to limit outdoor activities. Parks and entertainment areas are closed. What else do you do in the summer? Camp, football, baseball, lacrosse.
Schools that are still teaching have moved everything indoors. There are recommendations to limit being outdoors, which is quite difficult in the swimming pool season, especially when it’s so hot.
The federal government is in what we characterize as vacation mode. The holiday weekend is coming up, and then the holiday week when Congress here in Washington is closed. Tourist travel is limited to areas where visitors would normally be: the Capitol, the White House, federal buildings.
. This may not be suitable for those who have breathing problems or who are prone to migraines or other health problems. Tough day today in Washington.
Well, there is the Smithsonian. Most of the museums included in it are located in buildings and can offer a lot of interesting things for tourists.
But how does this air quality compare to the smoke from wildfires that engulfed the East Coast earlier this month? I noticed that you are not wearing a mask. When it was worst here in New York, people wore masks.
I see masked people back there.
How does it compare now?
SCOTT MCFARLAND Correspondent : This is a migration issue that actually started some time ago. In May, I was in Michigan, there was also this smog, it was moving to the western part of the state. It is constantly on the move as fires continue to rage rampant across Canada. It’s kind of a migratory situation, running right down I-95 on the east coast, where there are so many Americans this summer season.
I would say masks are more common today than they used to be in Washington. This is a rather acute situation. If we go and do a little informal research, you will see that about a third of the people here are wearing masks. This is serious.
