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Welcome to #BestOfLax. Help us celebrate the past year of lacrosse by voting in 15 polls spread over the course of December. All voting will be conducted on Twitter (@usalacrossemag), and fans will have 24 hours to let their voices be heard.

For more information — including upcoming categories, rules and more — check out our introductory post to #BestOfLax.

Lacrosse is a family game. And these families play it better than just about anyone else.

Best Genes is a category for the family that dominated 2021 — the siblings who combined on-field excellence with heartwarming stories. These families use lacrosse as a tool to bond and to probably have some pretty intense backyard practice sessions, too.

Here are the nominees for Best Genes.

BEST GENES

For the family album that’s bursting at the seams after this year.

THE ADLERS

Mike and Max Adler were headline-grabbers in 2021. Mike Adler, the goalie for Duke, made a handful of showstopping saves during ACC rivalry games to help the Blue Devils stave off defeat. Max Adler, the faceoff specialist for Chaos LC, was integral in helping his team win the PLL championship game. He even separated his shoulder and had it popped back in during the contest. He still won 50 percent of his draws.

THE KIRSTS

There were few feel-good stories better in lacrosse. Connor and Colin Kirst transferred to Rutgers last winter to fulfill a family legacy and honor their late father, a former Rutgers goalie who died suddenly on June 16, 2015. The brothers helped revitalize a Rutgers program that ultimately made its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2004. To make it even better, they matched up against their younger brother Cole Kirst, a Lehigh goalie, in the first round of the tournament.

THE NELSONS

Jared Nelson became the NCAA’s all-time career points leader while playing for his brother, Pfeiffer head coach Tucker Nelson. Their father, Scott, coached Jared his first three years at the school. At around 9 a.m. each Saturday, Lynne Nelson texts Tucker and Jared, their middle brother Jake and her husband Scott the same thing: “Let’s make it a good day for the Nelsons.” Jake Nelson won a Division II national championship at Le Moyne.

THE SCHNEIDEREITHS

Quadruplets all playing Division I lacrosse certainly have a compelling case for Best Genes. Lucy Schneidereith was key in helping Drexel achieve a program-best season. Her sister, Jamie, is now a volunteer at Drexel after hanging up her cleats last May. Maggie Schneidereith compiled 46 points last season at Johns Hopkins and ranks fourth all-time in program history in that category. Georgia Schneidereith, an Albany goalie, made 84 saves and went 7-5 in 2021.