Measuring progress, for any local sports organization, is seldom easy. Rejuvenated on a regional basis roughly a decade ago, lacrosse has hit a plateau of sorts with registration
figures hovering between the 500 and 600 level the past few years.
The quantity has not necessarily taken a giant leap forward, but the same cannot be said for the quality of players being produced. Sudbury Rockhounds are beginning to make a name for themselves, competing with various teams at a host of venues, both in Canada and the United States.
Peewee sensation Felix Cote recently became the first Sudbury player ever selected to the Team Ontario roster, working his way through three sets of tryouts to grab a spot on the final lineup of 18 players.
Being cut from the provincial tryouts last spring in his minor-peewee year only provided the talented youngster with greater motivation the second time around.
“After last year, I remember thinking that I just had to make it this year, so I worked really hard,” Cote said.
The Grade 6 student at MacLeod Public School, who is also a solid AA hockey player, does not necessarily mirror the passion of most of his winter-time teammates.
“I just love lacrosse, and I’m better at lacrosse than hockey,” Cote said. “I just practice more, I’m always out in my yard. I have a set-up with a ‘lax wall’ and net, and a golf net, so I don’t lose any balls.”
Playing within the Greater Sudbury Lacrosse Association (GSLA) for the past six years, Cote has long since established his dominance within the Nickel City.
Cote will suit up with the Ontario squad immediately following the provincial playdowns, competing as a member of the Peewee Rockhounds in early August.
By that time, 17-year-old Mike Randa will be nearing the end of his eight-month experience with Evolve Elite Lacrosse. The Grade 12 Lo-Ellen Park student plans to attend Cambrian College in September.
An eight-year veteran of the local lacrosse ranks, Randa had his eyes opened substantially this past year, cracking the roster of a Canadian crew that travelled to Florida to compete in the I-Cup International Lacrosse Classic in January.
“I like lacrosse more than any other sport,” Randa said. “I’m out in my backyard every day, throwing the ball around.”
In fact, many involved with lacrosse will note the fact that individual practice time can be accommodated with ease, as players need only a stick, a ball and a surface to provide a rebound in order to work on their manual dexterity.
Still, playing at a higher level clearly has its advantages. “Ever since I started playing with Evolve Elite, I notice my skills progressing,” Randa said.
He was joined by fellow Sudburians Doug Bennett and Chris Hayes in Florida, and while the team did not win a game, they took the state champions to overtime.
Randa is back with the U-18 squad this summer, having just returned from the Long Island Laxfest, with a couple more high profile tournaments still on the schedule.
He pays close attention to those who have been there before.
“Our coach, John Grant Jr. is always fooling around with his stick, doing all these tricks and stuff,” Randa said. “And when he throws the ball, it’s just so accurate. Every tip he gives me, I’ll try and do it. He just knows so much about the game.”
Now 21 years of age, Owen Bennett has learned much about field lacrosse, but also his intended career of choice as well, having just completed his second year of mechanical engineering at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Penn.
Recruited on a lacrosse scholarship, Bennett stressed the importance of academics in his decision to head south.
“At Bucknell, the mechanical engineering program is one of the top in the country,” Bennett said.
“They stress the academics a lot and there’s no break for athletes. There’s a lot of hands-on research, partly because we have really small class sizes.”
With no exposure in his youth to field lacrosse, Bennett was thankful that a prevailing stereotype opened the door.
“I had never played field lacrosse when I first got recruited,” Bennett said. “But box players tend to come in with much better stick skills than field players.”
He said they’re different games entirely.
“Box lacrosse is a lot more physical, a lot more exciting to watch,” Bennett said. “Field lacrosse is more like a chess game on an open field.”
He said he hopes to stay involved in the sport in some capacity. “I don’t know about playing once I’ve graduated, but I definitely want to keep coaching and definitely want to put my kids into it.”
It will be one more opportunity for lacrosse to continue to progress in Greater Sudbury.
Randy Pascal is the founder of SudburySports.com and a contributing sports editor for Northern Life.
-Posted by Jenny Jelen.
