Sunday, June 30, 2013

High School recruiting: Alcatraz Outlaws named to the All-Star team at 2013 Gait Cup

The following Alcatraz Outlaws were named to the Gait Cup All-Star team:

A Austin French 2015 SRV
A Cade Bailey 2014 DLS
A Colin Rutan 2015 Los Lomas
M Finn Barry 2015 SI
M Jon Gibbs 2014 Redwood
FO/M Nick Stinn 2015 SI
D Dash Mindel 2014 Branson
D Jayden Adams 2015 Oak Ridge
D Matt Kennis 2014 Redwood
G Austin Appleton 2015 SHP

Congrats to all these Outlaws!

Saturday, June 29, 2013

High School recruiting: Alcatraz Outlaws at 2013 Gait Cup & King of the Hill: Season recap

Action at the Gait Cup is hot and heavy. The round of 8 has been determined and both Outlaws 2014 and 2015 teams are in that elite group. I don't know the bracket structure, but it is possible that two victories by both the 2014 and 2015 teams would pit one Outlaw team against the other in the finals! I'll post more as I got additional information.
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The 2014 Alcatraz Outlaws, after taking the Championship at King of the Hill, were upset in the Elite Eight at the Gait Cup. They had a heckuva run. Between the two tournaments, they came away with one Championship and only a single loss. Congrats to the 2014s for repping NorCal and the Outlaws so well. They had quite a season. Two tournaments, one Championship, and only one loss! Here they are in their Championship picture at King of the Hill:

Alcatraz Outlaws 2014 team: Champions at King of the Hill


The 2015s are still alive at the Gait Cup. They won their Elite eight round and now move to the semi-finals. Go 2015s!

Update: The 2015 Outlaws won their semi-final match, but the Looney's prevailed in the Championship game.

How amazing for NorCal lacrosse to send two squads to two elite tournaments and perform so well. Congratulations to the players and to their coaches!

Season recap: The two Outlaws teams played in 27 games this tournament season, finishing with a combined record of 24-3.

What began as the dream of three coaches, has turned into an amazing reality. They participate at the same two, highly regarded,  tournaments each year and, I believe, have never had a losing record for the summer. In the beginning, they were unknown and unheralded, but they were also UNDAUNTED! They are no longer unknown and no longer unheralded. The following quote from the coach of a competitor team at the Gait Cup says it all. Talking to his team, as they were about to play the Outlaws, he said, "Now, you're gonna try to beat the team that every team in the country wants to beat."


Impact on NorCal Lacrosse: This has been a wonderful year for NorCal lacrosse, what with Marin teams performing so well in NCS, and St. Ignatius finishing 12th in the country in LaxPower's combined Coaches and Computer poll, while nearly pulling off the first California win, ever, against a national top 10 team (Chaminade), but the cumulative reputation created for Northern California lacrosse by the Alcatraz Outlaws is right up there! Trying to rank these three wonderful accomplishments would be, I think, a mistake. They are all amazing, and they all demonstrate the growing force that is – NORCAL LACROSSE!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

College: DI Lacrosse: The three S's – One set for coaches, one set for players

The three S's are pretty widely known among NCAA coaches when assessing lacrosse recruits. As the saying goes: "Speed, Size, Skills, you gotta have at least two." Skills here refers not just to stick stills, but to Lacrosse IQ. These three S's are immutable for coaches. That is to say, if you are tiny, you must be very quick and have an off-the-charts lacrosse IQ. Case Matheis at Duke is a perfect example.

But, after you are recruited, another set of three S's becomes REALLY CRUCIAL. The above set of three S's is for coaches The following set of S's is for athletes. These three S's are immutable, too! Studies, Sports, Social life: Pick 2, but you can't have all 3. Here are the in-season time requirements for  the typical Ivy League Lacrosse player:

Hours in a week: 168

Practice, lifting, time to/from practice:
20 hours per week

Team meetings: 6 hours per week
Game time and travel time: 10 hours per week
Total: 16 hours per week

Study: 35 hours per week

Classes: 15 hours per week

Travel to/from/between classes: 3 hours per day
Total: 15 hours per week

Sleep:
7 hours per night:
49 hours per week (you can't afford more than 7 hours a night in-season)

Eating and travel time to food:
11 hours per week

Laundry, showering, dressing, shaving and other ablutions
7 hours per week

That's your 168 hours, with no social life.

If you want a social life, the hours have to be stolen from somewhere. Eating, sleeping, studying, attending classes – pick your poison!

The life of a DI athlete can be very rewarding, but only if you are obsessive about time management. If you aren't.... well, you can drop the sport, you can drop out, you can drop on the depth chart, you can drop your social life, or you can flunk out. Those are your choices.


Monday, June 17, 2013

High School: Gathering of Outlaws Alumni, Part II

  35 Outlaw alums showed up for the Alumni game, representing 27 NCAA schools, including UVA, UNC, DUKE, PENN STATE, NOTRE DAME, MICHIGAN, YALE, HARVARD, DARTMOUTH, MIDDLEBURY, AMHERST, BUCKNELL, HAVERFORD, COLBY, FAIRFIELD, GEORGETOWN, PROVIDENCE, DENVER, BRYANT, CORNELL, BROWN, ST. MARYS'S, HOLY CROSS, PRINCETON, NAVY, LEHIGH AND KENYON.

Let me put that in perspective. More NCAA Outlaw Alums participated in the Outlaw Alumni game than on any  Lacrosse Field in San Francisco since the 2012 San Francisco Fall Lacrosse Classic, pitting Ohio State vs. Lehigh!


Seen in the crowd
Coach Chris Packard of SI with his son
More Former Outlaws:
Can you name them? Both former SI, both DI bound this Fall. Both terrific players. Prize to the first correct respondent!
Teammates on NCJLA Vail teams, NorCal Braves, and Alcatraz Outlaws: Carson Mead, Jordan LaTendresse, and Jordan Weiss (another Penn State guy)
Joe Lang (SI and future Harvard)



See part I of this article at:

Recruiting: Gathering of Outlaws Alumni, Part I

Every year, the management of the Alcatraz Outlaws sponsors an Alumni game. Former Outlaws, back from college, confront the current crop of Outlaws in a friendly. It's a great opportunity for the college guys to see their former teammates and get caught up. The Outlaws management always provides terrific food to players, parents, and assorted fans!

It's also an opportunity for parents of former Outlaws to get to visit once again. That's a really important thing for parents, who used to see each other all the time when the games were thirty miles, or less, apart. Now, arranging parent get togethers, with the boys all scattered along the East Coast and Midwest is often impossible. So, the gathering of Outlaws is just as important to the parents as it is to the boys.

This year's Alumni game drew great players and a great crowd. Here are a few pictures of this past Saturday's get together:

The Outlaws - old and new - with Alcatraz in the background
The Gathering! Just before the opening FO

Will McKee (SI and Lehigh) and Mike Hernandez (Piedmont and Michigan) talk to the current Outlaws about NCAA DI lacrosse (its pain and pleasures)
Jordan LaTendresse (San Ramon Valley and Penn State) with his Dad

Former teammates at SI: Bobby Gray (Notre Dame) and Giancarlo Sangiacomo (Providence)



High School: Alcatraz Outlaws recruiting teams for Summer of 2013

The Alcatraz Outlaws have been NorCal most successful recruiting club. Their Class of 2014 and Class of 2015 rosters for this summer's  East Coast trips are shown below:

Roster

2014 Alcatraz Outlaws

1FrankieHatlerAttackSacred Ht Prep
2PatrickTracyAttackRedwood
3BenSappioDefenseMiramonte
4JoeRodriguezAttackBellarmine
5CadeBaileyAttackDe La Salle
6SeanMayleMidfieldSacred Ht Prep
7DexterEichorstMidfieldMarin Academy
8JonGibbsMidfieldRedwood
9NickHallmarkMidfieldMarin Catholic
10BrianWhiteMidfieldSacred Ht Prep
11BenPariettiMidfieldJesuit
12JackMarianiMidfieldAccalanes
13SigiOckerMidfieldUrban
14DougStrazzaLSMDe La Salle
15ColeSteigerwaldDefenseSt Ignatius
16NickoSouzaDefenseSan Ramon Valley
17RobbieSternAttackAccalanes
18DashMindelDefenseBranson
19ConnorVeitDefenseAmador Valley
20MattKennisDefenseRedwood
21SamTomeiGoalieLos Lomas
23MattPeterDefenseMonte Vista

2015 Alcatraz Outlaws

1AustinFrenchAttackSan Ramon Valley
2RyanClarkAttackSt Ignatius
3ColinRutanAttackLos Lomas
4BenKnausAttackSt Ignatius
5TrentonShoreAttackOakland Tech
6QuinnMcKoneMidfieldNovato
7KyleRodenyMidfieldDe La Salle
8FinnBarryMidfieldSt Ignatius
9PeterAlimanMidfieldSt Ignatius
10NickStinnMidfieldSt Ignatius
11TylerMaddalonDefenseMonte Vista
12BrookRideauMidfieldDe La Salle
13MattKleinMidfieldSt Ignatius
14SawyerCairnsDefenseMarin Catholic
15MitchOllingerDefenseDe La Salle
16PatWardDefenseSan Ramon Valley
17GrantGiulanoDefenseSt Ignatius
18JaydenAdamsDefenseOak Ridge
19ShaneKunstGoalieMarin Catholic
20NickDupuisMidfieldSt Ignatius
21JuanCarlos O’NeilDefenseNovato
22AustinAppletonGoalieSacred Heart Prep

    Sunday, June 16, 2013

    High School: Under Armour Underclassmen All- American WEST team selected

    The Under Armour Corporation, in conjuction with Corrigan Sports, annually hosts the Under Armour Lacrosse All-American games. The All-American game is for graduated Seniors and is televised by ESPN. The UnderArmour Underclassmen games, consist of 10 regional teams selected at open tryouts, play to a Champion over three days. The games will take place at the usual locale, Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, Maryland.

    The West team has been selected. Here are the WEST selections – from 6 states – as announced by Under Armour and Corrigan Sports;


    First Name Year Position School Hometown
    Anthony Abbadessa 2014 Attack Desert Vista Phoenix, AZ
    Justin Anderson 2014 Mid-Field Centennial Las Vegas, NV
    Zack Anderson 2014 Defense Rock Canyon Castle Rock, CO
    Liam Bourke 2014 Defense Redwood Ross, CA
    Quinton Eissler 2015 Attack Coronado Henderson, NV
    Peyton Garrett 2014 Attack San Clemente San Clemente, CA
    Jeremy Huber 2014 Defense West Career and Tech Academy Las Vegas, NV
    Michael Kay 2014 Mid-Field Cathedral Catholic Temecula, CA
    Joe Lang 2014 Attack St Ignatius College Prep Mill Valley, CA
    Alex Larson 2014 Goalie Chaparral Scottsdale, AZ
    Colin MacIlvennie 2014 Mid-Field Eastside Catholic Maple Valley, WA
    Jensen Makarov 2014 Goalie Ralston Valley Arvada, CO
    Colton McCaffrey 2014 Attack Chaparral Parker, CO
    Connor McCroskey 2015 Attack The Bishop's School San Diego, CA
    Spencer Noonan 2014 LSM Skyline Sammamish, WA
    Joe Reid 2014 Mid-Field Casa Grande Petaluma, CA
    Hayden Ruiz 2014 Mid-Field Santa Margarita Catholic Orange, CA
    Jake Seau 2014 Mid-Field The Bishop's School San Diego, CA
    Jace Thomas 2014 Face-off Bountiful North Salt Lake, UT
    Andrew Tien 2014 Attack The Bishop's School San Diego, CA
    Maxwell Tuttle 2015 Mid-Field Castle View Castle Rock, CO
    Cade van Raaphorst 2015 Defense Desert Vista Phoenix, AZ
    Owen Weselak 2014 Face-off Torrey Pines San Diego, CA
    Chase York 2014 Defense Mercer Island Mercer Island, WA

    Liam Bourke of Redwood


    Joe Lang of St. Ignatius


    Joe Reid of Casa Grande

    Congratulations to all these fine players, with special acknowledgment to Liam Bourke of Redwood, Joe Lang of St. Ignatius, and Joe Reid of the Casa Grande Club team– the three NorCal rising Seniors who were selected.

    You can read more at Inside Lacrosse here

    Monday, June 03, 2013

    College: Brian Raaka at NCAA DII Dominican

    Brian Raaka


    Dominican is a strong DII program, with excellent coaches and a terrific roster. In 2013, the Penguins set an all-time school best record (8-5), produced an unscathed conference record (6-0) in the WILA,  and had 14 of its scholar-athletes make the conference all-academic team!

    Sophomore Brian Raaka, former Miramonte standout, made the conference All-Academic team, was named 2nd team all conference (for the second year in a row), and has started every game of his Dominican career at LSM. 

    I just counted up the number of games I've watched Brian play. 87 games. Lots of them with the Lamorinda Lightning, a number with NorCal travel teams. a good number at Miramonte HS, on the recruiting circuit with the Alcatraz Outlaws, and a couple at Dominican.  Brian plays with joy, abandon, and skill. Hard to find anybody better to watch than someone who combines those qualities!

    Congratulations for the honors and awards, Brian! You deserve them all.

    Saturday, June 01, 2013

    High School: 2013 DFAL All-League teams

    The Diablo Foothill Athletic League has published its All-League Boy's Lacrosse teams. Here are the honored players. A special shout out to Most Valuable Player Wesley Greason! I have enjoyed watching Wesley play the game since he was eight years old!




    High School: 2013 Bay Area US Lacrosse All-Americans named


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
    May 31, 2013 
    Northern California Chapter of US Lacrosse Names Boy’s High School All Americans 

    SAN FRANCISCO – After a rigorous evaluation process, fifteen Bay Area high school lacrosse players have been named as US Lacrosse High School All-Americans. Players, who are nominated by their coaches and supported by their respective leagues, were voted on by a committee of Northern California lacrosse coaches and league representatives that included one representative from each League in the North Coast and Central Coast CIF sections and the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association. 
    The following local players were named to the team (players listed in alphabetical order): 
    ALL-AMERICANS
    Chad Bell, Senior, Midfield, St. Ignatius College Prep
    Cameron Bowlby, Senior, Goaltender, San Ramon Valley High School
    Matt Emery, Senior, Midfield, St. Ignatius College Prep
    Will Ernst, Senior, Goaltender, San Francisco University High School
    Charlie Ford, Senior, LSM, St. Ignatius College Prep
    Wesley Greason, Senior, Attack, Acalanes High School
    Joe Lang, Junior, Attack, St. Ignatius College Prep
    Alex Lopez, Senior, Midfield, Woodside High School
    Jack McCormick, Senior, Attack, De La Salle High School 
    Jack McGovern, Senior, Defense, St. Ignatius College Prep
    Joe Reid, Junior, Midfield, Casa Grande Lacrosse
    Aran Roberts, Junior, Defense, San Ramon Valley High School
    Joe Rodrigues, Junior, Attack, Bellarmine College Prep
    Cyrus Scott, Junior, Goaltender, St. Ignatius College Prep
    Doug Strazza, Junior, LSM, De La Salle High School

    "This years’ selection process was incredibly competitive and we are extremely proud of our 2013 All Americans," said Carlos Trujillo, Nor-Cal All-American Committee Chairman for US Lacrosse Secondary School Division. “All of our candidates this year are outstanding young men on and off the lacrosse field and represent the best of Bay Area lacrosse. Their talents on the field further display the continued growth of the sport of lacrosse in our region. These young men earned the respect of their teammates, opponents and coaches. Many of these players have Division I college commitments from schools like Virginia, Denver, Dartmouth and Princeton and we wish them well in their college careers. We are equally proud of our Academic All American's who represent both outstanding lacrosse and the best and brightest in their respective classrooms." 
    Also receiving awards were the following players and coaches:

    ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
    Jacob Arentzoff, Senior, Midfield, Monte Vista
    Jonathan Glazier, Attack, Palo Alto High School
    Teddy Heafey, Senior, Defense, Piedmont High School
    Sam Korol, Midfield, Marin Academy
    Max McKone, Senior, Midfield, Novato High School
    Jack Moe, Senior, Attack, Piedmont High School
    Austin Shore, Senior, Attack, Oakland Tech

    COACH OF THE YEAR 
    Marty Jayne, Novato High School

    ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR 
    Michael Abou-Jaoude, St. Ignatius College Prep

    MAN OF THE YEAR
    Todd French, San Ramon Valley High School
    US Lacrosse will make their official announcement in Mid-June.

    High School: 2013 Sacramento Valley US Lacrosse All-Americans named


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
    May 31, 2013 
    Northern California Chapter of US Lacrosse Names Boy’s High School All Americans 

    Sacramento – After a rigorous evaluation process, four Sacramento Valley high school lacrosse players have been named as US Lacrosse High School All-Americans. Players, who are nominated by their coaches and supported by their respective leagues, were voted on by a committee of Northern California lacrosse coaches and league representatives from the Sac-Joaquin CIF section and the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association. 
    The following local players were named to the team (players listed in alphabetical order): 
    ALL-AMERICANS
    Elijah Gaea, Midfield/Attack, Jesuit High School
    Mikie Schlosser, Midfield/Attach, Davis High School
    Josh Wellman, Midfield/Attack/Faceoff, Oakridge High School
    Harley Whitham, Goalie, Elk Grove Gladiators

    "This years’ selection process was incredibly competitive and we are extremely proud of our 2013 All Americans," said Don Fagan, NorCal High School All-American Committee Chairman for the Sacramento Valley. “All of our candidates this year are outstanding young men on and off the lacrosse field and represent the best of Sacramento Valley. Their talents on the field further display the continued growth of the sport of lacrosse in our region. These young men earned the respect of their teammates, opponents and coaches. Many of these players have Division I college commitments from schools like Michigan, Penn State and others and we wish them well in their college careers. We are equally proud of our Academic All American's who represent both outstanding lacrosse and the best and brightest in their respective classrooms." 
    Also receiving awards were the following players and coaches:

    ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
    Chase Crimmins – Pleasant Grove Senior attending University of Pacific
    Christopher Heli - St. Mary’s High School (Stockton) Undecided



    COACH OF THE YEAR 
    Nick Juri, Davis Senior High School


    MAN OF THE YEAR
    Donald Aiello, Davis Lacrosse Association, Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association, NorCal Chapter of US Lacrosse
    US Lacrosse will make their official announcement in Mid-June.