Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The National Team Development Program boys’ combine wraps today.
The best U16 and U18 boys in the nation descended upon Tierney Field at USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md., this week for a three-day combine and tryout to be part of a U.S. Select team.
One of the best stories from the player pool is Jabril Belle-Walker, a Harlem Lacrosse product proud to represent the organization that helped change his life.
2. Colin Kirst is surprisingly back at Rutgers.
Inside Lacrosse’s Ty Xanders first reported the news, and Aaron Breitman of SB Nation later added that Kirst received a medical hardship waiver.
Last season, Kirst and his brother, Connor, were key cogs in Rutgers’ NCAA tournament run. Colin Kirst, a goalie, was a third-team USILA All-American after making 179 saves and posting a save percentage of 56.6.
3. The Rutgers women are also welcoming back some star power.
On Monday, TT Naslonski announced that she’d return for a fifth season. Yesterday, the A-10’s co-offensive player of the year, Stephanie Kelly, officially joined the Scarlet Knights, too.
Kelly had 91 points and 46 assists last season with Saint Joseph’s.
4. Nick DeMaio has transferred to Towson.
DeMaio, who had played in College Park with his brother, Anthony, will instead suit up for the Tigers in 2022.
5. Denison announced a historic coaching hire.
Head coach Eric Koch announced two additions to his staff yesterday. Ryan Rohde will join as offensive coordinator, and Maiah Bartlett, a former head coach of the Luxembourg men’s national team in Germany, will also come aboard.
Bartlett was a trailblazer in Germany, being the first female head coach of the men’s national team.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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USA Lacrosse Magazine contributor Phil Shore goes deeper on the relationship between John Galloway and Joel White.
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The third annual Nation United Summit and Play Day returns to USA Lacrosse in September.
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Josh Russell of Lacrosse All Stars on why he thinks World Lacrosse “Sixes” is great.
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Tanner Demling of Lacrosse Bucket writes that Colgate could be the party crashers of the Patriot League this spring.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse players are great at lacrosse but not so great at wiffle ball.
Maybe they should just stick to lacrosse
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) August 18, 2021
Nothing like a friendly game of wiffle ball between our Lacrosse athletes to get ready for Softball Season next weekend #BeUnlimited pic.twitter.com/dNQbTrTz6x
WHAT'S ON TAP
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Meg Decker has been trusted before to build programs. Now, she has her biggest test yet at Xavier.