When does the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals take place. Which top-ranked teams are competing in the tournament. How can viewers watch the games live on ESPNU. What makes this event significant for high school lacrosse.
Overview of the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals
The fifth annual GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals is set to take place on May 30-31, 2022, at Catholic University’s Carlini Field in Washington, D.C. This prestigious tournament brings together elite high school lacrosse teams from across the country for a thrilling postseason competition. The event features a single-elimination format, showcasing some of the nation’s top-ranked teams in intense head-to-head matchups.
Participating Teams and Rankings
This year’s tournament boasts an impressive lineup of four highly skilled teams, including three ranked in the top 15 nationally according to the Inside Lacrosse Top 25 High School Power Rankings:
- No. 7 Taft School (Watertown, Conn.)
- No. 8 Salisbury School (Salisbury, Conn.)
- No. 15 Bullis School (Potomac, Md.)
- IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fl.)
Each team brings a wealth of talent and impressive records to the tournament, setting the stage for fierce competition and exceptional displays of skill.
Tournament Schedule and Broadcast Details
The GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals follows a compact and exciting schedule:
- May 30, 6 p.m. ET: No. 8 Salisbury vs. No. 15 Bullis (Semifinal)
- May 30, 8 p.m. ET: No. 7 Taft vs. IMG Academy (Semifinal)
- May 31, 7 p.m. ET: Championship Game
All games will be broadcast live on ESPNU, allowing lacrosse enthusiasts nationwide to tune in and witness the action. Additionally, viewers can stream the games on the ESPN App via connected devices, ensuring accessibility for fans on various platforms.
Key Players to Watch
The tournament features a plethora of talented players, many of whom have already committed to prestigious college programs. Here are some standout athletes to keep an eye on during the competition:
Taft School
- Thomas Ricciardelli (Sr. Goalie, Notre Dame commit)
- Jamison Moore (Sr. Midfielder, Princeton commit)
- Isaac Korus (Sr. Midfielder, UPenn commit)
- Peter Moynihan (Jr. Attack, Yale commit)
Salisbury School
- Max LaTorre (Sr. Long stick Midfielder, Dartmouth commit)
- Trace Davidson (Sr. Midfielder, Maryland commit)
- Matt Dooley (Sr. Defender, Cornell commit)
Bullis School
- Charlie Muller (Sr. Defender, Harvard commit)
- Chase Band (Jr. Attack, Ohio State commit)
- Tucker Wade (Jr. Midfielder, Princeton commit)
IMG Academy
- Trey Sacus (Sr. Attack, Bucknell commit)
- Braden Erksa (Sr. Attack, Maryland commit)
- Chris Caldwell (Sr. Long stick Midfielder, Denver commit)
- Ryan Sforzo (Sr. Midfielder, Notre Dame commit)
Significance of the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals
Why is this tournament so important for high school lacrosse? The GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals provides a unique opportunity for top-tier teams to compete against each other in a high-stakes environment. This exposure not only showcases the skills of individual players but also highlights the overall quality of high school lacrosse programs across the country.
The tournament serves as a platform for young athletes to demonstrate their abilities on a national stage, potentially catching the eye of college recruiters and furthering their lacrosse careers. Moreover, it offers fans and enthusiasts a chance to witness the future stars of the sport in action, creating excitement and fostering a deeper appreciation for high school lacrosse.
The Role of Paragon Marketing Group and GEICO
The GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals is made possible through the collaboration of Paragon Marketing Group and GEICO. Paragon Marketing Group, a corporate consulting agency specializing in sports, entertainment, and cause-related sponsorships, owns and operates the tournament. They have a long-standing partnership with ESPN, having delivered over 800 live high school sports telecasts over the past 19 years.
GEICO, as the title sponsor, plays a crucial role in supporting and promoting high school lacrosse through this event. Their involvement underscores the company’s commitment to fostering youth sports and providing platforms for young athletes to showcase their talents.
Impact on High School Lacrosse and Future Prospects
How does the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals impact the sport at the high school level? This tournament elevates the profile of high school lacrosse by bringing national attention to the sport and its top performers. It creates a benchmark for excellence, inspiring teams and players across the country to strive for higher levels of performance.
The event also serves as a stepping stone for many players in their lacrosse careers. The exposure gained from participating in such a high-profile tournament can open doors to college recruitment opportunities and potentially professional careers in the sport.
Furthermore, the tournament contributes to the growth and development of lacrosse as a whole. By showcasing the sport on a national platform, it helps attract new fans, players, and supporters, potentially leading to increased participation and investment in lacrosse programs at various levels.
Viewer Engagement and Social Media Coverage
For those eager to follow the action beyond the live broadcasts, ESPN has set up additional coverage through their SportsCenter Next platform. Fans can access in-depth tournament coverage, including highlights and exclusive content, by following @sportscenternext on Instagram.
This social media integration allows for greater engagement with the tournament, providing fans with behind-the-scenes glimpses, player interviews, and real-time updates. It creates a more immersive experience for viewers and helps build a community around the event.
To further enhance the viewer experience, consider the following tips for enjoying the tournament:
- Set reminders for game times to ensure you don’t miss any of the action.
- Follow the participating schools’ social media accounts for team-specific updates and insights.
- Engage with other fans through social media using tournament-specific hashtags.
- Research the key players beforehand to familiarize yourself with their playing styles and achievements.
- Consider organizing watch parties with fellow lacrosse enthusiasts to create a more exciting viewing atmosphere.
The Future of High School Lacrosse Showcases
As the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals enters its fifth year, it’s worth considering the future trajectory of such showcases. Are these national tournaments likely to become more prevalent in high school lacrosse? The success and growing popularity of events like this suggest that there may indeed be an increasing trend towards national-level high school lacrosse competitions.
These tournaments offer numerous benefits:
- Providing a national stage for top high school talent
- Fostering inter-regional competition and exposure
- Attracting media attention and sponsorships to the sport
- Creating exciting content for lacrosse fans and enthusiasts
- Serving as a pipeline for college and professional lacrosse
As the sport continues to grow in popularity across the United States, we may see an expansion of such tournaments, potentially including more teams, divisions, or even international participation. This could lead to a more structured national high school lacrosse landscape, similar to what exists in other sports like basketball and football.
The Role of Sponsorship in High School Sports
The involvement of GEICO as the title sponsor for this tournament raises interesting questions about the role of corporate sponsorship in high school sports. How do these partnerships benefit young athletes and the sport as a whole?
Corporate sponsorships can provide numerous advantages:
- Financial support for tournaments and events
- Increased visibility for the sport through marketing and advertising
- Resources for improved facilities and equipment
- Opportunities for athletes to compete on larger stages
- Potential scholarships or educational programs tied to sponsorships
However, it’s also important to consider potential drawbacks or ethical considerations:
- Maintaining the amateur status of high school athletes
- Ensuring that corporate interests don’t overshadow educational and developmental goals
- Balancing exposure and pressure on young athletes
- Addressing concerns about commercialization in youth sports
As high school sports continue to evolve and attract more attention, finding the right balance between corporate involvement and maintaining the integrity of youth athletics will be crucial.
Developing Lacrosse Talent: From High School to College and Beyond
Events like the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals play a significant role in the development pipeline for lacrosse talent. How does this tournament contribute to the growth of players and the sport’s ecosystem?
The tournament serves several key functions in talent development:
- Providing high-pressure competitive experience for young players
- Offering exposure to college recruiters and scouts
- Allowing players to benchmark their skills against top national talent
- Creating networking opportunities within the lacrosse community
- Inspiring younger players to strive for excellence
Many of the players participating in this tournament have already committed to prestigious college programs, highlighting the event’s role as a showcase for future collegiate stars. This connection between high school excellence and college recruitment underscores the importance of such tournaments in shaping the future of lacrosse at all levels.
As the sport continues to grow, events like the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals may become increasingly important in identifying and nurturing top talent, potentially influencing the development of professional lacrosse leagues and national teams in the long term.
The Impact of National Exposure on Local Lacrosse Programs
While the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals focuses on a select few top-ranked teams, its influence extends far beyond the participating schools. How does this national exposure affect local lacrosse programs across the country?
The tournament’s impact on local programs can be significant:
- Inspiring local teams to elevate their level of play
- Providing a benchmark for success in high school lacrosse
- Encouraging investment in lacrosse programs at schools and community levels
- Attracting more students to try out for lacrosse teams
- Increasing parent and community support for local lacrosse programs
Moreover, the national spotlight on high school lacrosse can lead to increased resources and attention for the sport at all levels. This can result in improved coaching, better facilities, and more opportunities for players to develop their skills, regardless of their location or school size.
As the tournament gains prominence year after year, it has the potential to spark a nationwide elevation of high school lacrosse, driving competition and skill development across the board.
Challenges and Opportunities in High School Lacrosse
While events like the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals highlight the sport’s growth and success, it’s also important to consider the challenges facing high school lacrosse. What obstacles does the sport face, and what opportunities exist for further development?
Challenges in high school lacrosse include:
- Limited resources and funding in many school districts
- Lack of experienced coaches in areas where the sport is still growing
- Competition with other spring sports for athletes and attention
- Geographical disparities in the sport’s popularity and development
- Ensuring diversity and inclusivity in participation and opportunities
Opportunities for growth and improvement:
- Expanding the sport into new regions and communities
- Developing more comprehensive youth lacrosse programs
- Leveraging technology for improved training and player development
- Creating more events and tournaments to showcase talent at various levels
- Fostering stronger connections between high school, college, and professional lacrosse
By addressing these challenges and capitalizing on opportunities, high school lacrosse can continue to grow and thrive, potentially becoming a major sport across the entire United States.
As the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals continues to showcase the best of high school lacrosse, it serves as both a celebration of the sport’s current state and a catalyst for its future growth. The tournament not only provides exciting competition for fans to enjoy but also plays a crucial role in the development of young athletes and the sport as a whole.
Fifth Annual GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals to Air May 30-31 on ESPNU
High School Sports
The fifth annual GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals returns to Catholic University’s Carlini Field in Washington, D.C., Monday and Tuesday, May 30-31.
The two-day single elimination tournament features three teams ranked in the top-15 nationally, including: No. 7 Taft School (Conn.), No. 8 Salisbury School (Conn.), No. 15 Bullis School (Md.) and IMG Academy (Fl.). The semifinals are set for Monday, May 30, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU with the championship game on Tuesday, May 31, at 7 p.m. on ESPNU. Games will also be available on the ESPN App via connected devices.
The GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals allows elite high school lacrosse teams from across the country to face one another in a postseason tournament.
The 2022 GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
| Mon, May 30 | 6 p. m. | No. 8 Salisbury vs. No. 15 Bullis | ESPNU |
| 8 p.m. | No. 7 Taft vs. IMG Academy | ESPNU | |
| Tue, May 31 | 7 p.m. | GEICO High School LAX Nationals-Championship Game | ESPNU |
*Network subject to change
GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals Teams:
No. 7 Taft School (Watertown, Conn.) 12-2
Key Players: Sr. Goalie Thomas Ricciardelli (Notre Dame), Sr. Midfielder Jamison Moore (Princeton), Sr. Midfielder Isaac Korus (UPenn), and Jr. Attack Peter Moynihan (Yale)
No. 8 Salisbury School (Salisbury, Conn.) 11-2
Key Players: Sr. Long stick Midfielder Max LaTorre (Dartmouth), Sr. Midfielder Trace Davidson (Maryland), and Sr. Defender Matt Dooley (Cornell)
No.
15 Bullis School (Potomac, Md.) 15-4
Key Players: Sr. Defender Charlie Muller (Harvard), Jr. Attack Chase Band (Ohio State), and Jr. Midfielder Tucker Wade (Princeton)
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fl.) 11-2
Key Players: Sr. Attack Trey Sacus (Bucknell), Sr. Attack Braden Erksa (Maryland), Sr. Long stick Midfielder Chris Caldwell (Denver), and Sr. Midfielder Ryan Sforzo (Notre Dame)
*Team rankings are according to the Inside Lacrosse Top 25 High School Power Rankings
Tickets and additional information available at geicolax.com/nationals/
-30-
SportsCenter Next:
For in-depth coverage of the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals, including highlights and exclusive content, follow @sportscenternext on Instagram.
About Paragon Marketing Group
Paragon Marketing Group is a corporate consulting agency specializing in sports, entertainment and cause related sponsorships.
Paragon owns and operates the GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals and has collaborated with ESPN over the past 19 years to deliver over 800 live high school sports telecasts featuring many of the top teams and players in the nation. Paragon collaborates with ESPN on the following live properties:
GEICO ESPN High School Football Kickoff & Showcase
GEICO Girls Volleyball Invitational
GEICO Top Flight Invite
GEICO ESPN High School Basketball Showcase
U.S. Marines NIBC Series
GEICO State Champions Bowl Series
ESPN Girls Basketball Invitational
GEICO High School Basketball Nationals
GEICO High School Lacrosse Showcase
GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals
GEICO Baseball City Series
About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 28 million vehicles. For more than 80 years, the company has worked to make people’s lives better by protecting policyholders against unexpected events.
As GEICO has grown, it has delivered money-saving coverage and outstanding customer service to policyholders through its investment in human resources and technology. GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies.
Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, identity theft and term life coverage are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available.
GEICO has a national workforce of 40,000 associates. GEICO sales representatives throughout the country are licensed insurance agents in order to help guide customers through coverage decisions. To make changes, report claims, print insurance cards and/or purchase additional products, policyholders can access their insurance policy here, connect via GEICO Mobile or by phone. Sales and service is also available at GEICO Local Offices.
Visit www.geico.com for a quote or to learn more.
For event media credential requests: https://form.jotform.com/221286435237153
Related Media Kits
Fifth annual GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals to air May 30-31 on ESPNU – View From The Pugh
The fifth annual GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals returns to Catholic University’s Carlini Field in Washington, D.C., Monday and Tuesday, May 30-31.
The two-day single elimination tournament features three teams ranked in the top-15 nationally, including: No. 7 Taft School (Conn.), No. 8 Salisbury School (Conn.), No. 15 Bullis School (Md.) and IMG Academy (Fl.). The semifinals are set for Monday, May 30, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU with the championship game on Tuesday, May 31, at 7 p.m. on ESPNU. Games will also be available on the ESPN App via connected devices.
The GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals allows elite high school lacrosse teams from across the country to face one another in a postseason tournament.
The 2022 GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
| Mon, May 30 | 6 p.m. | No. 8 Salisbury vs. No. 15 Bullis | ESPNU |
| 8 p.m. | No. 7 Taft vs. IMG Academy | ESPNU | |
| Tue, May 31 | 7 p.m. | GEICO High School LAX Nationals-Championship Game | ESPNU |
*Network subject to change
GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals Teams:
No. 7 Taft School (Watertown, Conn.) 12-2
Key Players: Sr. Goalie Thomas Ricciardelli (Notre Dame), Sr. Midfielder Jamison Moore (Princeton), Sr. Midfielder Nicholas Brillant, and Jr. Attack Peter Moynihan (Yale)
No.
8 Salisbury School (Salisbury, Conn.) 11-2
Key Players: Sr. Long stick Midfielder Max LaTorre (Dartmouth), Sr. Midfielder Trace Davidson (Maryland), and Sr. Defender Matt Dooley (Cornell)
No. 15 Bullis School (Potomac, Md.) 15-4
Key Players: Sr. Defender Charlie Muller (Harvard), Jr. Attack Chase Band (Ohio State), and Jr. Midfielder Tucker Wade (Princeton)
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fl.) 11-2
Key Players: Sr. Attack Trey Sacus (Bucknell), Sr. Attack Braden Erksa (Maryland), Sr. Long stick Midfielder Chris Caldwell (Denver), and Sr. Midfielder Ryan Sforzo (Notre Dame)
*Team rankings are according to the Inside Lacrosse Top 25 High School Power Rankings
Tickets and additional information available at geicolax.com/nationals/
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