MIDWEST TOP 10
1. Culver Academy (Ind.), 17-3
The Eagles capped their impressive 2023 campaign by winning the Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Association title (over Western Reserve Academy in overtime) and earning runner-up honors at the National Prep Lacrosse Championship (falling to The Hill Academy). Culver’s impressive season included wins over Boys’ Latin (Md.), Gonzaga (D.C.) and Kiski Academy (Pa.), as well as a series of dominant victories over its Midwest foes. Previous: 1
2. Brother Rice (Mich.) 20-2
The Warriors avenged last year’s state championship game loss by securing the title Saturday with a 14-11 victory over Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.), one of just two teams to beat Brother Rice during the regular season. Hunter Polonkey scored two of his four goals in the first quarter for the Warriors, while their defense came up clutch late to close out a back-and-forth game. Previous: 2
3. Dublin Jerome (Ohio), 22-1
The Celtics capped the year with Marek Tzagournis scoring five goals in their 12-10 state title game win over St. Xavier (Ohio). In addition to its championship, Dublin Jerome’s resume includes victories over two of Florida’s top teams, Bolles and Ponte Vedra, and a perfect record against Buckeye State competition. Indeed, the Celtics’ lone loss came at Brother Rice. Previous: 3
4. Wheaton Academy (Ill.) 23-1
Having started their program just a decade ago, the Warriors earned their first state title with a decisive victory over St. Viator (Ill.), led by six goals from Aiden Weisenborn and four goals and three assists from Noah Miller. Wheaton Academy’s season included wins over top teams in Indiana (Carmel) and Wisconsin (Middleton, Mukwonago and Oregon) with its lone loss coming to IMG Academy (Fla.). Previous: 4
5. Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.), 19-3
The Shamrocks finished as the state runner-up after dropping a back-and-forth battle with longtime Mitten State powerhouse Brother Rice. Sean Donahue, with three goals in the third quarter to rally back from a 6-3 deficit, and Jack Cyrek had hat tricks for DCC in the loss. Donahue also had the game-winner in the state semifinals against Hartland (Mich.), with Lachlan Moffatt tacking on five goals for the Shamrocks. Previous: 5
6. Hartland (Mich.), 19-3
The 2022 state champion didn’t go down without a fight, rallying time and time again in the state semifinals against Detroit Catholic Central before falling 10-9. Mason Payter had a hat trick in his final game for the Eagles, while Dylan Ayotte, Evan Busby and Jake Lewis tied the game at seven, eight and nine, respectively, before the Shamrocks scored the winner. Previous: 6
7. St. Xavier (Ohio), 18-6
The young Bombers impressed all season, including sophomores accounting for seven of their eight goals in an overtime state semifinal win over Upper Arlington. St. Xavier ultimately finished as the Division I runner-up with a resume that includes two victories over the Golden Bears as well as wins over one of Indiana’s best teams (Cathedral) and two of Tennessee’s best (Montgomery Bell Academy and Ravenwood). Previous: 7
8. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 20-3
Outside of two losses to St. Xavier, the Golden Bears’ only other defeat all season came against Mitten State powerhouse Brother Rice. With wins against Mars Area (Pa.), New Canaan (Conn.), Salesianum School (Del.) and Trinity Louisville (Ky.), Upper Arlington still has one of the region’s most impressive resumes. Previous: 8
9. Rockhurst Jesuit (Mo.), 18-0
The Hawklets ended an undefeated season as Lacrosse Association of KC champions. Junior Luke McNamara remarkably hit the century mark in goals (103) in just 18 games while fellow juniors Jack Bichelmeyer, Colin Komenda and Croix Snow each topped 50 points. Meanwhile, senior Henry Kemp (84 ground balls, 139 faceoffs) and freshman Gentry Curtis (68 ground balls, 120 faceoffs) were critical in earning possession and junior keeper Matt Koehler saved more than two-thirds of the shots he faced. Previous: 9
T10. St. Viator (Ill.), 23-2
While St. Viator’s first state title game appearance quickly went in Wheaton Academy’s direction, the Lions relished the best season in their history. Nicky Pastore had a hat trick in the state title game while Cade Faulkner had three assists for St. Viator. Pastore also had seven of the Lions’ 13 goals to ensure that their first state semifinal was a success as St. Viator beat Lake Forest (Ill.) by nine (with Faulkner adding three goals and three assists). Previous: T10
T10. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (Minn.), 16-0
The Red Knights’ perfect season was tested in the Section 5 championship game, in which they prevailed 13-10 against Maple Grove (Minn.). That came after Carsen Brandt exploded for eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) in Benilde-St. Margaret’s sectional semifinal victory over Wayzata. Previous: T10
— Jonah Rosenblum