Rounding up the latest in the world of lacrosse. As always, share anything (news tips, stories, commitments, etc.) with me via e-mail or Twitter, and discuss these items in the post’s comments.
Division-1
Michigan Wolverines lacrosse practice plan and lacrosse depth chart.
Super-interesting material (from multiple angles, depending on your perspective) from U-M offensive coordinator Ryan Danehy. The Wolverines’ practice plan and depth chart. Coach will obviously like to know how U-M divides its practices for maximum productivity, whereas I’m most interested in seeing who is leading for certain positions. Of note… Evan Glaser running with the first midfield after primarily being an SSDM last year, Brian Archer with the ones on FO (along with Brad Lott – most of the positions have more than the starter listed), freshman Christian Wolter with the ones on SSDM, three players with freshman eligibility on the first-team D, three players in the running for top goalie.
Of course, the practice plan is something that the Michigan staff has been pretty open with sharing at their fall coaching clinics… the next of which takes place this Sunday, after a scrimmage against Manhattan in Michigan Stadium.
The U-M women’s team (Team One) also has some home scrimmage action Sunday, so you can make it a full day of lacrosse in Ann Arbor, if you so choose. Detroit is one of the opponents, so it’s a nice chance to see a lot of the state’s high-level teams in one day.
MCLA
Photos from Grand Valley’s fallball scrimmage against Miami (Ohio).
Recruiting
2014 Cranbrook midfielder Taylor Ghesquire has committed to Wesleyan University.
TopLaxRecruits covers Michigan’s pledge from Delbarton (Pa.) 2015 defender M..J. Melillo:
Why did you choose Michigan? “Main factors in my decision were going to a high academic University with a lacrosse program that I know is going to have great potential to compete in the NCAA Lacrosse regular and post-season.”
More at the link. Speaking of Melillo’s confidence in Michigan’s lacrosse future…
The Maize and Blue got a big boost today when La Jolla (Calif.) Bishop’s School 2016 midfielder Christian Ford pledged to U-M. Ford is the grandson of Michigan All-America football player (and U.S. president) Gerald Ford, and picked Michigan over Notre Dame, North Carolina, and Harvard.
Ford’s commitment (along with Colorado attack Henry Nelson) gives Michigan two commits in the Inside Lacrosse Top 25 sophomores list. Nelson is No. 9 and Ford is No. 12. Other programs with more than one top-25 player include:
- Virginia – Nos. 1, 13, and 15, plus a watch-lister.
- North Carolina – Nos. 2, 8, and 20, plus two watch-listers.
- Duke – Nos. 4, 5, and 10.
- Johns Hopkins – Nos. 14 and 22, plus three watch-listers.
Not bad company to be in.
Club
313 Lacrosse‘s elite team took first at the Capital City Shootout. Speaking of 313 lacrosse… winter clinics are fast approaching (in Warren and Chesterfield… more like 586 lacrosse am I right?), and you can find full details on the 313 Lax website.
Premier Lacrosse Group‘s Green and Platinum teams both fell in the semifinals.
Local Honors
Last reminder: the Michigan Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse will be holding its Hall of Fame Celebration this Saturday. E-mail Bob Stevenson (bob@skalaw.com) or Clark Bell (michlaxref@comcast.net) for more information.
Brother Rice alum (and now Notre Dame freshman) Sergio Perkovic has been named the Bob Scott Award winner for the North region by U.S. Lacrosse.
Thanks for visiting GreatLaxState.com. Don’t forget to comment, and share any news with me via the contact information listed above.
I’m not sure that I’d read too much into the def/gk parts of the ‘depth’ chart. The gk situation speaks for itself. This might be a way to get the younger defensemen some much needed experience by having them go against the better offensive players.
It’s certainly not gospel, but getting a snapshot into who is outperforming whom at this point in the year is still interesting.
If Logan isn’t the starter at goalie come the season opener, I’ll eat my hat. On the other hand, if more freshmen draw into the close D, I won’t be surprised in the least.
Why is Paras listed as a middie rather than attack?
He has played both significantly during his previous four years in Ann Arbor. That’s probably just the position where they need him more at this point. Positive for Kraus and Francia.
Must feel good for a former club player to have the varsity team ask for an extra year of eligibility for him. He deserves it, and the team needs his skill set and experience, but it still has to feel good for Paras.
DC, I understand your point, but I don’t think that high caliber club players (especially ones from top-ranked club teams) that made the transition to varsity think of themselves as “former club players”. In TP’s case (for example) he was a HSAA, All Midwest, 2x All State, and the all-time points leader at his high school. That kind of bio (along with his size) reads like anyone else that headed to D1 straight out of high school.
Yep. The team isn’t exactly bringing Paras back for a fifth year because it’s a nice plucky underdog story. They expect him to be a key part of the team (as he has been in the past).
You all are missing the point. Regardless of how good he was in high school, Paras went to UM expecting to play club ball. The fact that he’s getting to play 3 years of varsity lax seems like a feel good story to me. I’m happy for the kid. No need to analyze it or parse it any further.
DC, again I got your point. However, it must also be noted that players that went to UofM to play club weren’t just signing up for a ‘regular’ club team. They knew full well that the program was run was as a “virtual varsity”. Also, there’s a difference between someone playing club by choice versus because of lack of ability. It’s a feel good story of sorts, but it’s also not a surprise.