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 not short on inspirational figures, especially in 2021.

There are athletes and role models leading the way in every facet of life, and to honor and celebrate each of their accomplishments. Even though the following Best of Lax category will ultimately yield just one winner, we are all better for having these incredible people in the sport we love.

Here are the nominees for Best Inspiration.

For those who lead by the example of their character. We are all better for having these incredible people in our sport.

VOTE NOW in our #BestOfLax poll to determine the Best Inspiration of 2021.

NOMINEES: https://t.co/lrcws6WM1A

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) December 17, 2021

BEST INSPIRATION

For those who lead by the example of their character.

CHRIS BOCKLET

Twenty-six days after suffering a traumatic brain injury while longboarding in Delray Beach, Fla., Bocklet, the former Virginia lacrosse star, regaled doctors and nurses — and his Instagram following of nearly 22,000 — with NSYNC hit “Bye Bye Bye” as he was discharged from the Shepherd Center for brain rehabilitation in Atlanta on Jan. 26.

SARAH CAHN

“Let’s start talking about identifying as LGBTQ+ as a routine part of the lacrosse world,” Sarah Cahn wrote for OutSports, “so we reduce the isolation for future generations of athletes.” Cahn, a goalie at Haverford, is hoping to inspire change and welcome everyone into the lacrosse world as a gay lacrosse player herself.

MOLLY LITTLE

In February, Little penned an essay entitled “He's Not the Sun, You Are” detailing an experience of sexual assault from her past. Little was applauded for her courage in sharing her story and hopes to take it upon herself to raise awareness. She was a key member of the Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse season and hopes to continue to fight against sexual assault and gender-based violence.

LYLE THOMPSON

Thompson, who made his PLL debut this summer, has been a pivotal figure in raising awareness for the rights of Native children after several boarding school atrocities came to light in the past calendar year. Thompson and his brothers founded the 4 The Future Foundation, which creates programs for indigenous and underserved communities where lacrosse meets culture, to create community-based opportunities that provide a pathway for the next generation to achieve their dreams.