How has Ponte Vedra High School established itself as a lacrosse powerhouse. What opportunities does the Jaws Boys Travel Lacrosse program offer young players. How are local teams like Bartram Trail and Ponte Vedra showcasing the depth of girls lacrosse talent in Northeast Florida.
The Rise of Ponte Vedra Lacrosse: Building a Community Legacy
Ponte Vedra High School has rapidly emerged as a formidable force in Florida’s lacrosse scene. The program’s success stems from a combination of dedicated coaching, community support, and a robust youth development system. At the heart of this system is the Jaws Boys Travel Lacrosse program, which serves as a pipeline for nurturing young talent from elementary school through high school.
Jaws Boys Travel Lacrosse: Cultivating Skills and Passion
The Jaws program offers competitive opportunities for boys in age groups ranging from 8U to high school. With a focus on both skill development and community-based participation, Jaws provides a structured environment for young athletes to grow in the sport. The program operates in both fall/winter (October-January) and summer (May-June) seasons, ensuring year-round engagement for enthusiastic players.
Training Schedule and Age Groups
For the 2023 Fall/Winter season, Jaws has implemented a comprehensive training schedule:
- High School and 14U: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm at Landrum MS
- 12U (2029 and 2030 birth years): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-7:30pm at Landrum MS
- 10U: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-7:30pm at Landrum MS
- 8U: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-7:00pm at Landrum MS
This structured approach ensures that players of all ages receive appropriate training tailored to their developmental needs.
Celebrating Success: A Tradition of Championships
The Jaws program has fostered a culture of success, with teams across various age groups consistently achieving championship titles. Recent accomplishments include:
Summer 2023 Champions
- High School B: Orlando Summer Faceoff Champions
- 12B (2030’s): Orlando Summer Faceoff Champions
- 12A (2029’s): Sunshine State Champions and Orlando Summer Faceoff Champions
- 8A: Sunshine State Champions and Orlando Summer Faceoff Champions
Fall 2022 Champions
- 12U: Florida Travel Lacrosse League Champions
- 12UA: Autumn Classic Champions
- 8U: Orlando Open Champions
- 14U: Veterans Day Invitational Champions
- 12A and 12B: Gold Coast Shootout Champions
These achievements underscore the program’s commitment to excellence and its ability to develop competitive teams across all age groups.
Equipment and Team Identity: Fostering Pride in Ponte Vedra Lacrosse
The Jaws program emphasizes team identity and proper equipment. Players have access to official Jaws bags and helmets, reinforcing a sense of belonging and pride in the program. An online store offers additional Jaws-branded gear, allowing players and supporters to showcase their affiliation with the team.
How can players obtain official Jaws gear?
Players can purchase Jaws bags through a dedicated online link, using the passcode “LaxJAWS”. For helmets, interested individuals should contact Matt Garrow, the program’s equipment coordinator. These initiatives ensure that all players have access to high-quality, uniform equipment that represents the Jaws brand.
Girls Lacrosse: A Rising Force in Northeast Florida
While the Jaws program primarily focuses on boys’ lacrosse, the success of girls’ teams in the area deserves recognition. Bartram Trail and Ponte Vedra High Schools have emerged as powerhouses in girls’ lacrosse, showcasing the depth of talent in Northeast Florida.
State Championship Aspirations
Both Bartram Trail (17-4) and Ponte Vedra (14-4) have secured spots in their respective state semifinal matches. Bartram Trail will compete in the Class 2A semifinals, while Ponte Vedra faces a formidable opponent in the Class 1A semifinals. The presence of local teams in both classifications highlights the region’s growing prominence in the sport.
What does this success mean for Northeast Florida lacrosse?
According to Ponte Vedra coach Dan Toole, “It speaks volumes of the talent that we have in the north part of the state.” This success not only validates the quality of play in the region but also inspires younger players to pursue the sport, potentially feeding into programs like Jaws and strengthening the overall lacrosse community.
The Impact of Community-Based Programs on Youth Development
The success of programs like Jaws and the achievements of local high school teams demonstrate the positive impact of community-based sports initiatives on youth development. These programs offer more than just athletic training; they provide a structured environment for personal growth, teamwork, and character building.
Benefits of Participation in Youth Lacrosse
- Physical fitness and motor skill development
- Social skills and teamwork
- Time management and discipline
- Confidence building and self-esteem
- Opportunities for leadership
By engaging in a competitive yet supportive environment, young athletes learn valuable life skills that extend far beyond the lacrosse field.
Ponte Vedra Lacrosse: Looking to the Future
As the Ponte Vedra lacrosse community continues to grow and achieve success, it sets a strong foundation for the sport’s future in the region. The combination of robust youth programs like Jaws and successful high school teams creates a sustainable pipeline of talent and enthusiasm for lacrosse.
Potential Areas for Growth
- Expansion of girls’ lacrosse programs at the youth level
- Increased collaboration between boys’ and girls’ programs
- Development of more local tournaments and showcase events
- Enhanced college recruitment opportunities for local players
By focusing on these areas, Ponte Vedra lacrosse can further solidify its position as a leading force in Florida’s lacrosse landscape.
The Role of Coaching and Mentorship in Program Success
Behind every successful sports program are dedicated coaches and mentors who guide young athletes both on and off the field. The Jaws program and local high school teams benefit from experienced coaching staff who not only teach the technical aspects of lacrosse but also instill important values and life skills.
Key Aspects of Effective Lacrosse Coaching
- Technical skill development
- Strategic game planning
- Physical conditioning and injury prevention
- Mental toughness and resilience
- Sportsmanship and ethical play
Coaches in the Ponte Vedra lacrosse community play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of players, ensuring that the program’s success extends beyond wins and losses.
Lacrosse as a Pathway to Higher Education
For many young athletes, lacrosse provides an opportunity to pursue higher education through athletic scholarships. The success of Ponte Vedra’s lacrosse programs has increased visibility for local players, potentially opening doors to collegiate opportunities.
How does participating in competitive lacrosse programs benefit college aspirations?
Engagement in high-level lacrosse programs like Jaws and successful high school teams can benefit college aspirations in several ways:
- Exposure to college recruiters at tournaments and showcase events
- Development of skills and game intelligence valued by college programs
- Opportunities to demonstrate leadership and teamwork
- Building a competitive resume of achievements and accolades
- Networking with coaches and players in the lacrosse community
As the sport continues to grow in popularity, these opportunities are likely to expand, providing more pathways for local athletes to leverage their lacrosse skills for academic advancement.
The Ponte Vedra lacrosse community, anchored by programs like Jaws Boys Travel Lacrosse and successful high school teams, has established itself as a powerhouse in Florida’s lacrosse scene. Through a combination of structured youth development, competitive success, and community support, Ponte Vedra is nurturing a new generation of lacrosse talent. As the sport continues to grow in the region, the impact of these programs extends beyond the field, shaping young athletes into well-rounded individuals prepared for success in all aspects of life.
Jaws Boys Travel Lacrosse
Ponte Vedra Jaws is our travel program for Boys 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and High School aged players. The Jaws teams compete in both the Fall (October-January) and Summer (May and June).
Our focus is on developing the skill levels of each player while playing travel ball as a community based program.
For questions, email: [email protected]
Jaws Fall/Winter Schedule
Tryouts for the Fall/Winter season will be held on August 27th at Landrum MS from 11:00am to 12:30pm.
Practice for the 2023 Fall/Witer Jaws Season will begin October 10th and run through December 14th.
HIGH SCHOOL : Tuesdays and Thursdays at Landrum MS- 4:30-6:00pm
14U (Coach Chris Polanski): Tuesdays and Thursdays at Landrum MS – 4:30-6:00pm
12U (2029 Coach Matt Keeler and 2030 Coach Adam Kilby): Tuesdays and Thursdays at Landrum MS – 6:00-7:30pm
10U (Coach TBD): Tuesdays and Thursdays at Landrum MS – 6:00-7:30pm
8U (Coach Mike Marrapese): Tuesdays and Thursdays at Landrum MS- 5:30-7:00pm
JAWS HIGH SCHOOL FALL/WINTER TOURNAMENTS
TBD
JAWS YOUTH (8U, 10U, 12U, 14U) FALL/WINTER TOURNAMENTS
TBD
Summer 2023 Champions
High School B Champions
Congratulations to our HSB Orlando Summer Faceoff Champions!
12B (2030’s) Champions
Congratulations to our 2030’s – 12B Orlando Summer Faceoff Champions!
12A (2029’s) Champions
Congratulations to our 2029’s – 12A Sunshine State Champions!
8A Champions
Congratulations to our 8U Sunshine State Champions!
12A (2029’s) Champions
Congratulations to our 2029’s – 12A Orlando Summer Faceoff Champions!
8U Champions
Congratulations to our 8UA Orlando Summer Faceoff Champions!
12B (2030’s) Champions
Congratulation to our 2030’s – 12B Sunshine State Champions!
Fall 2022 Champions
FTLL 12U Champions
Congratulations to our 12U Florida Travel Lacrosse League Champions!
12UA Champions
Congratulations to our 12uA Autumn Classic Champions
8U Champions
Congratulations to our 8U Orlando Open Champions
14U Champions
Congratulations to our 14U Veterans Day Invitational Champions
12A Champions
Congratulations to our 12A Gold Coast Shootout Champions
12B Champions
Congratulations to our 12B Gold Coast Shootout Champions
Summer 2022 Champions
10uA Champions
Congratulations to our 10uA Sunshine State Games Champions!
12UB Champions
Congratulations to our 12UB Summer Face Off Champions!
10uA Champions
Congratulations to our 10uA Tampa Jam Tournament Champions!
2030 Champions
Congratulations to our 2030 boys for winning the 2029/2030 Carolina’s Open Championship!
8U Champions
Congratulations to our 8U Sunshine State Games Champions!
2025 Champions
Congratulations to our 2025 Summer Face Off Champions!
12uA Champions
Congratulations to our 12uA Father’s Day Invitational Champions!
Jaws Boys Bags
To purchase a Jaws Bag please visit: https://laxgear. com/products/ponte-vedra
When promted for a passcode enter: Lax
JAWS Online Store
CLICK HERE to access the JAWS Store.
JAWS BOYS HELMETS
To order a new helmet please contact Matt Garrow at [email protected]
JAWS Youtube Videos
Success of Bartram Trail, Ponte Vedra show depth of girls lacrosse in the area
Sports
Justin Barney, Sports editor
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Tags: High School, V4RSITY, Sports4JAX
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Justin Barney, Sports editor
Tags: High School, V4RSITY, Sports4JAX
The Bartram Trail girls lacrosse team practices on Wednesday in preparation for the Class 2A state semifinals. (Justin Barney, News4JAX)
ST. JOHNS, Fla. – Two of the area’s top girls lacrosse teams are ready for their shot at state.
Bartram Trail (17-4) will face Tampa Plant (18-3) at 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon in the Class 2A state semifinals in Naples. Five hours later at 7:30, Ponte Vedra (14-4) collides with Lake Highland Prep (19-3) in the Class 1A semi. That the area has teams in both classifications still alive and chasing championships is a testament to just how much the sport has grown in the area.
Ponte Vedra beat another local program, Super 6 No. 1 Episcopal, in the regional final to punch its ticket to the state semifinals.
“I think it speaks volumes of the talent that we have in the north part of the state,” said Sharks coach Dan Toole. “And again, I’m excited for Bartram. I wish them well. And I hope, as I told [Bartram coach] Meg [Jackowiak] in a text message, I hope we bring the titles back up north.”
The area has grown considerably in being able to compete with the private schools in the south. Last year, the Bears knocked off a dynasty, Vero Beach, in an 8-7 classic for only the second girls lacrosse championship in area history.
Even with a major playmaker returning in Ryann Frechette, Bartram’s road back wasn’t easy.
“We had our ups and downs and some refocus points but it’s been really exciting. It’s been awesome to watch the girls grow this year,” Jackowiak said. “You know, even though we are the returning state champs and you have a target on our back, we had a lot of different girls step up this year after losing eight seniors. So, to be able to get back here. It’s just really exciting.”
Both teams can thank tough schedules and some resilience in getting here. Bartram endured a unusual three-game losing streak this season, including a 12-9 loss to Episcopal. Jackowiak said that lull helped refuel Bartram for its stretch run.
The Sharks and the Bears are the only two local programs to ever play for a championship. Ponte Vedra has finished as state runner-up twice (2014-15. The Bears lost to Vero Beach in 2013 and beat them in 2016 before returning last year to do it again. The Sharks had their pockets of challenges, although lost just once to a local team (Bartram).
“I think everyone just did a really good job stepping up to the role that we needed them to be,” said Bartram senior Peyton Morris. “And I think everyone realized that they needed to step up and we’ve been doing really well working together.”
Players from both teams say the local competition and being able to compete during difficult regular season schedules has proven that teams in the area can continue to flourish.