How has Ponte Vedra High School’s lacrosse program become a dominant force in Florida. What makes the Jaws Boys Travel Lacrosse program so successful. How are Ponte Vedra and other local teams elevating girls lacrosse in the area.
The Rise of Ponte Vedra Lacrosse: Building a Legacy of Excellence
Ponte Vedra High School’s lacrosse program has rapidly emerged as one of the most formidable in Florida, establishing itself as a perennial contender at the state level. The program’s success is built on a foundation of dedicated coaching, talented players, and a robust youth development system.
The Jaws Boys Travel Lacrosse program serves as a crucial pipeline for developing young talent, offering competitive opportunities for players from 8U through high school. This comprehensive approach ensures a steady influx of skilled players into the high school program, contributing to its sustained success.
Key Factors in Ponte Vedra’s Lacrosse Success
- Strong youth development through the Jaws program
- Experienced and dedicated coaching staff
- Commitment to player skill development
- Competitive travel schedule against top-tier opponents
- Community support and engagement
Jaws Boys Travel Lacrosse: Nurturing Future Stars
The Jaws Boys Travel Lacrosse program is the backbone of Ponte Vedra’s lacrosse success. Operating in both fall and summer seasons, Jaws provides young players with opportunities to hone their skills and compete at a high level.
Jaws Program Structure
The program caters to various age groups, ensuring a clear developmental path for players:
- 8U
- 10U
- 12U
- 14U
- High School
Practice schedules are carefully designed to maximize player development, with dedicated time slots for each age group. For example, the High School and 14U teams practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-6:00 pm at Landrum Middle School, while younger age groups have later time slots to accommodate school schedules.
Tournament Success: A Testament to Program Quality
The Jaws program’s success is evident in its impressive tournament record. Recent achievements include:
- High School B Champions at the Orlando Summer Faceoff
- 12B (2030’s) Champions at the Orlando Summer Faceoff
- 12A (2029’s) Champions at the Sunshine State tournament
- 8A Champions at the Sunshine State tournament
- 12U Florida Travel Lacrosse League Champions (Fall 2022)
- 14U Veterans Day Invitational Champions (Fall 2022)
These victories across various age groups demonstrate the program’s ability to consistently produce competitive teams and develop skilled players.
Girls Lacrosse: Ponte Vedra and Bartram Trail Leading the Charge
While the boys’ program has garnered significant attention, Ponte Vedra’s girls lacrosse team is also making waves in the state. The success of both Ponte Vedra and nearby Bartram Trail High School in girls lacrosse highlights the growing depth and quality of the sport in the area.
State Championship Aspirations
As of May 2023, both Ponte Vedra and Bartram Trail were poised to compete in their respective state semifinals:
- Ponte Vedra (14-4) vs. Lake Highland Prep (19-3) in Class 1A
- Bartram Trail (17-4) vs. Tampa Plant (18-3) in Class 2A
The presence of two local teams in the state semifinals across different classifications underscores the strength of girls lacrosse in the region. Ponte Vedra coach Dan Toole emphasized this point, stating, “I think it speaks volumes of the talent that we have in the north part of the state.”
Developing a Lacrosse Culture: Community Engagement and Support
The success of Ponte Vedra’s lacrosse programs extends beyond the field, with strong community support playing a crucial role in the sport’s growth. This support manifests in various ways, from attendance at games to volunteer efforts and financial contributions.
Fostering Community Involvement
To encourage community engagement, the Jaws program and Ponte Vedra High School lacrosse teams employ several strategies:
- Hosting youth clinics and camps
- Organizing fundraising events
- Encouraging high school players to mentor younger athletes
- Collaborating with local businesses for sponsorships
- Maintaining an active social media presence to share team news and accomplishments
By fostering a strong lacrosse culture within the community, Ponte Vedra ensures continued support and interest in the sport, which in turn contributes to the programs’ ongoing success.
Training Facilities and Resources: Investing in Success
The quality of training facilities and available resources plays a significant role in the development of successful lacrosse programs. Ponte Vedra’s commitment to providing top-notch facilities and equipment has been instrumental in its rise to prominence.
Key Training Resources
- Well-maintained practice fields at Landrum Middle School
- State-of-the-art weight training facilities
- Video analysis equipment for game and practice review
- Access to specialized lacrosse training tools and technologies
- Partnerships with sports medicine professionals for injury prevention and recovery
By investing in these resources, Ponte Vedra ensures that its players have every opportunity to develop their skills and perform at their highest level.
Coaching Excellence: The Backbone of Ponte Vedra’s Lacrosse Success
Behind every successful sports program lies a team of dedicated and knowledgeable coaches. Ponte Vedra’s lacrosse programs benefit from experienced coaching staff who bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to their roles.
Coaching Philosophy and Approach
Ponte Vedra’s coaches emphasize:
- Fundamentals and skill development
- Tactical understanding of the game
- Mental toughness and resilience
- Teamwork and sportsmanship
- Individual player growth both on and off the field
This comprehensive approach to coaching ensures that players not only improve their lacrosse skills but also develop important life skills that will serve them well beyond their playing days.
The Future of Ponte Vedra Lacrosse: Continuing to Raise the Bar
As Ponte Vedra’s lacrosse programs continue to achieve success, the focus remains on sustaining and building upon this momentum. The future looks bright for both the boys’ and girls’ programs, with several key areas of focus:
Areas for Future Growth
- Expanding the youth development pipeline
- Increasing competition against out-of-state opponents
- Enhancing college recruitment efforts
- Continuing to improve facilities and resources
- Developing coaching talent from within the program
By maintaining a forward-thinking approach and continuing to invest in player development at all levels, Ponte Vedra lacrosse is well-positioned to remain a dominant force in Florida and potentially gain national recognition.
The Impact of Ponte Vedra’s Success on Florida Lacrosse
The rise of Ponte Vedra’s lacrosse programs has had a ripple effect throughout Florida, contributing to the overall growth and improvement of the sport in the state. As Ponte Vedra and other local programs like Bartram Trail continue to excel, they set a new standard for lacrosse excellence in Florida.
Elevating the Sport Statewide
Ponte Vedra’s success has led to:
- Increased interest in lacrosse at the youth level
- More competitive high school programs throughout the state
- Greater recognition for Florida lacrosse on the national stage
- Improved opportunities for Florida players to compete at the collegiate level
- Enhanced lacrosse infrastructure and resources across the state
As Ponte Vedra continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible for a Florida lacrosse program, it inspires other schools and communities to invest in and develop their own programs, ultimately strengthening the sport throughout the state.
The success of Ponte Vedra lacrosse serves as a blueprint for other programs looking to build competitive teams and foster a strong lacrosse culture. By focusing on youth development, providing excellent coaching, and maintaining strong community support, Ponte Vedra has created a model that others can emulate and adapt to their own communities.
As the sport of lacrosse continues to grow in popularity across the United States, programs like Ponte Vedra’s play a crucial role in elevating the level of play and increasing opportunities for young athletes. The future of lacrosse in Florida looks bright, with Ponte Vedra leading the way and inspiring the next generation of players to reach new heights.
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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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.
