Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Kaisuke Iwamoto made history.
His name is now known worldwide, despite not playing in the 2018 FIL Men’s World Championship, where the Japanese team earned a place in the Blue Division for the 2022 tournament.
Iwamoto became the first Japanese citizen to play in Major League Lacrosse when he started for the Outlaws on Sunday in their home finale against the Dallas Rattlers. Despite Denver’s loss, he made nine saves on 19 shots in just over 49 minutes of action.
“It would be a lie if I said that I wasn't honored to play in the MLL as the first Japanese lacrosse player,” Iwamoto said prior to the game.
So honored, but more importantly, wanna Win!! https://t.co/Ip3nzeoXJg
— Kai -Kaisuke Iwamoto- (@Ganpon02) July 18, 2018
2. The San Diego Seals acquired four draft picks, including two first-round picks, from the Sasktchewan Rush on Monday for September’s Entry Draft, in exchange for defenseman Brett Mydske.
“This is a deep draft, and we’re going to add talented, young players to our roster,” said general manager and head coach Patrick Merrill in the team’s press release. “We now have six of the top 25 picks in the Entry Draft.”
In other NLL news Monday, the New England Blackwolves acquired Tyler Digby from the Calgary Roughnecks.
Plus, the league’s season awards start being released today. Here’s the schedule:
2017-18 #NLLSeasonAwards will be released starting TOMORROW as @SmrtAsh & @TysonLW announce the winners on NLL TV. Check out the schedule below and let us know who you think will win!#NLL pic.twitter.com/zN1grhlTPH
— NLL (@NLL) July 23, 2018
3. Team USA’s leading scorer Ryan Brown is joining the Highland Park (Texas) boys’ lacrosse coaching staff for the 2018-19 season. Former Notre Dame defenseman J.R. Stahl also joins on as an assistant under head coach Rich Moses.
Excited to announce that Ryan Brown will be joining Coach Moses on our 2018-19 staff. We look forward to introducing him at our Annual Meeting Sept 6th! #GreatDayToBeAScot
— HP Boys Lacrosse (@hplax) July 23, 2018
: @LiamMurphy_603 pic.twitter.com/nzIOPIq0Ti
4. The US Lacrosse athlete development team recently hosted a field day, where staffers, including editor in chief Matt DaSilva, played games like Sharks and Minnows.
“It was a place to reconnect with our inner child while better understanding the kinds of movements we ask our own kids to perform when we introduce them to the sport,” wrote DaSilva. “These movements come naturally to kids, but by isolating them in fun games and drills, you’ll foster physical literacy that undoubtedly will make them better lacrosse players over the long haul.”
What We’re Reading
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The Diamondback praises the five former Terps who helped Team USA win gold – Michael Ehrhardt ('14), Jake Bernhardt ('13), Jesse Bernhardt ('13), John Haus ('13) and Drew Snider ('12).
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Bermuda men’s lacrosse had its best showing at the FIL Men’s World Championship, recording five wins.
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Tommy Pearce was named the first head coach for Division III’s Allegeny men’s lacrosse.
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Jenna Petrucelli was named the new American women’s lacrosse coach.
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The IWLCA announced the academic honor rolls for Division I, Division II and Division III, as well as academic honor squads.
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A Rochester organization and local US Lacrosse chapter introduce the sport to inner-city youth.
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Also in Rochester, an AED unit once again saved the life of a lacrosse player, reviving a 52-year-old who collapsed during a pick-up game.
What We’re Watching
We are the champions, my friends. Go behind the scenes with Team USA as it recaptured gold at the 2018 FIL Men’s World Championship.
Atlanta’s Adam Ghitelman has gone viral with this save.
You have a better shot at bringing a water bottle on an airplane than scoring on @adam8taylor pic.twitter.com/uRY4jEtCds
— TLN (@LacrosseNetwork) July 23, 2018
What’s On Tap
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We’ll have more from the July/August issue of US Lacrosse Magazine.
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