Media, Moratorium, Games we all can’t wait to watch!, World Lacrosse, Utah Valley and Upcoming Camps/Clinics/Trainings/Tryouts
Media, Moratorium, Games we all can’t wait to watch!, World Lacrosse, Utah Valley and Upcoming Camps/Clinics/Trainings/Tryouts
Written By: Megan Chambers and McKenzie Christiansen
This week's Utah Lacrosse Report takes you on an exciting journey through a myriad of topics. Discover the latest on ULR Media Packages, delve into discussions about the moratorium, and anticipate the thrilling games awaiting our attention. From updates on world lacrosse to insights into Utah Valley's lacrosse teams, this report covers it all. Plus, stay informed about upcoming camps, clinics, trainings, and tryouts. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of lacrosse in Utah!
ULR sponsors make this all possible. Visit our title sponsors Tribal West Lacrosse (website) & MinersTown Strength and Condition (website).
Tribal West Lacrosse is offering free shipping during the 2024 season by using promo code FREESHIP24 at tribalwest.com
Photography and Videography Media Packages
Limited availability remains for our Photography and Videography Media Packages! Don't miss out on the opportunity to have professional photographers and videographers capture your team's memorable moments this season. From game coverage to team photoshoots, portraits, and media day videos, we offer a comprehensive range of services. Secure your spot with us before March to take advantage of our exclusive rates. Contact us now to reserve your session!
Who is behind our camara?
I am Patrick Sanger, the Social Media and Creative Manager at ULR. With five years of experience in sports photography and videography, I began my journey capturing moments for my high school lacrosse team and expanded to cover various sports. Currently pursuing a degree in Strategic Communication with a minor in Parks Recreation and Tourism at the University of Utah, I honed my skills further during my tenure as a Creative Intern with the university's athletic department.
Throughout my academic and professional endeavors, I've continually refined my abilities, leading me to embrace the captivating world of content creation. Now in my third year with ULR, and second as the lead for social media content, I'm eager to embark on another exciting season. My passion for continuous improvement drives me, and I relish the opportunity to enhance our content offerings.
Beyond my dedication to lacrosse and sports, I find joy in outdoor activities like snowboarding, fly fishing, camping, and mountain biking. Working within Utah's lacrosse community has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to forging new connections and creating compelling content that resonates with our audience.
What is the high school moratorium?
It’s almost here! The spring season is just around the corner, and with the end of the month comes the pre-season spring moratorium. The moratorium, also known as the blackout period, refers to a temporary prohibition of certain activities two weeks before tryouts for spring sports, including boys and girls lacrosse. The Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) defines this period as February 11th to February 25th, which applies to current 9th through 12th grade students, with the first day of practice/team selection scheduled for February 26th for high school lacrosse teams. During this period, players are not required to attend any activities, coaching is prohibited, and no practice sessions, drills, scrimmages, or review of tape with athletes are allowed. Additionally, attending clinics or camps hosted by schools within two weeks of the starting date is not permitted. However, weight lifting, conditioning, and sport-specific exercises without coaching are allowed. Open gym or field usage is permitted as long as there is no coaching or participation fee, and individuals may attend outside camps or competitions as long as they are not coached by their high school coach(es). The purpose of this rule is to ensure a fair playing field, mark the beginning of the season and official tryout date while maintaining fairness and integrity in the tryout and selection process for spring sports teams.
Games we all can’t wait to watch!
Green Canyon vs Sky View April 17th 7:00pm: Green Canyon emerged as the 2023 state champions despite their overall 12-10 season, showcasing their resilience and determination. Sky View put up a strong fight in the 4A championship game but ultimately fell to Green Canyon. The wolves bid farewell to key players such as Midfielder Conner Dockery, Attacker Tucker Sampson, Midfielder Spencer Gerber, and Goalie Peyton Johnson. However, they welcome back 2024 Midfielder Tyler Gerber for the upcoming season. On the other hand, the Bobcats dominated with a 20-2 record in their 2023 season, securing the North Region Title. Despite graduating top players like Attackman Sean Tempest, Attackman Gage Leishman, Goalie Jake Spackman, Defenseman Koji Schwartz, and LSM Tanner Low, they look forward to the contributions of returning athletes such as 2024 Midfielder Easton Ballard, 2024 Attacker Joshua Moe, 2024 Midfielder Parley Thacker, and 2024 LSM Brody Sawyer under the guidance of Coach Bryant Cannell in the 2024 season.
Corner Canyon vs Park City May 10th at 7:00pm: In 2023, Corner Canyon clinched the 6A state championship title, while Park City emerged victorious in the 5A state championships. Corner Canyon's impressive season boasted a 16-2 overall record, securing the Region 4 Championship and earning the No. 1 seed for Utah boys lacrosse. Despite graduating key players like Attackman Blake Franckowiak, Midfielder Jacob Osborn, Midfielder Landon Bethers, and Defenseman Jake Baird, the team looks forward to the contributions of returning players such as 2024 Midfielder Kisen Muramoto, 2024 Goalie Mitchell Phippen, 2026 Goalie Rhett King, and 2025 Midfielder Easton Daynes in 2024. Coach Aaron Ika's strong leadership sets the stage for another promising season. Meanwhile, Park City had a stellar 2023 season, finishing with a 19-5 overall record and ranking No. 3 statewide. Despite graduating notable players like Attackman Chase Beyer, Midfielder Beckett Wolf, Midfielder Jack McHenry, and Midfielder Riley Muholland, the team is prepared for the challenges ahead with returning players such as 2025 Attackman Ian Marsland, 2024 LSM Tripp Hopkins, and 2024 Goalie AJ Silianoff in 2024 under the guidance of Coach Michael Persky.
Mountain Ridge @ Lone peak March 19th 5:00pm: In an early season matchup in Highland, Utah, Lone Peak faces off against Mountain Ridge under the lights. Both teams were contenders in a close game during the 2023 6A championships where the Sentinels ultimately beat the Knights with an 11-10 victory in overtime. The 2024 season game will be a great to watch with the loss of key players on Lone Peak like Maddie Potvin and Corinne Jones, and a total of 12 seniors having graduated off the team in 2023. Meanwhile, the Sentinels have graduated 8 seniors from the team, including both goalies, Faith Marriott and Tristee Souza. Moreover, in the preseason Coaches’ Region Poll, both teams have been selected as favorites to win their respective regions (Mountain Ridge in region 2 and Lone Peak in region 3), intensifying the anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling game.
Park City @ Olympus May 1st 7:00pm: In 2023, the Park City Miners claimed their first 5A Girls Lacrosse Championship after narrowly losing the previous year (2022). They defeated Olympus 12-8 in the final, showcasing their strong second-half performances throughout the season. Despite graduating top scorer Lilly Hunt and goalie Ava Kimche, they still rely on Sophie Neff for attacking prowess. With three seniors gone but six juniors stepping up, the team prepares for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Olympus High secured the Region 6 girls lacrosse championship with an impressive 17-1 overall record under coach Zana Spratling. Despite graduating top scorer Eva Thorn, they boast a stacked team of 13 seniors, poised for success in the 2024 season, where both teams will compete in region 6 and class 5A.
World Lacrosse's longstanding ambition to bring the sport back to the Olympic stage has come to fruition, with the International Olympic Committee officially approving lacrosse's inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This milestone follows the completion of a formal process initiated by the LA28 Organizing Committee, culminating in a decisive vote by the IOC Session, comprising 99 international sport leaders. Lacrosse's return to the Olympics will mark its third appearance, having been featured in 1904 and 1908, with subsequent demonstration events in 1928, 1932, and 1948, underscoring its enduring legacy and global reach.
To commemorate this historic inclusion and underscore its significance, World Lacrosse will launch "A New Era," a campaign aimed at driving the sport forward by fostering growth in participation, popularity, and sustainability. In the 2028 Olympics, both men's and women's lacrosse will be showcased in the innovative "sixes" format, offering a dynamic, fast-paced version of the game that combines elements of field and box lacrosse. This format not only provides an inclusive platform for lacrosse athletes but also serves as an accessible entry point for newcomers, characterized by its rapid transitions and high-scoring action. Developed in 2018, the sixes format has propelled global growth, enhanced accessibility, and streamlined participation and event organization, positioning itself as the next-generation version of the game.
The next up tournament for the world lacrosse games is Eurolax Sixes Cup. The EuroLax Sixes Cup is set to take place in the picturesque city of Vila Real de Santo António, located in the sunny southern region of Portugal known as the Algarve, from February 23rd to 25th, 2024.
This groundbreaking event marks the debut of the first European-based international Sixes tournament, showcasing the exciting new Olympic-style version of lacrosse, with six players from each team on the field. Over the course of three days, up to 18 national teams, including both men's and women's divisions, will vie for victory in intense competition.
Featuring the innovative Sixes format, tailored for Olympic play, the event will also include live broadcasts of selected matches. With participation from the top 18 European national teams and over 300 athletes, this tournament promises thrilling action as teams battle it out to claim the title of EuroLax Sixes Cup champions. Hosted at the Vila Real de Santo António Sports Complex, a state-of-the-art facility renowned as a High-Performance Sports Centre, boasting four full-sized grass fields suitable for various sports such as football, lacrosse, or rugby, the stage is set for an unforgettable showcase of lacrosse talent.
Our very own McKenzie Christiansen is one of the 300 athletes selected to participate in the EuroLax Sixes Cup. Christiansen, a proud Danish-American, has a deep connection to her heritage. She will begin her training journey in Denmark on February 16th, joining the Copenhagen women's lacrosse team and Global United, a group of elite athletes chosen to compete together. Christiansen's involvement with the Danish Women's National Team came about after her 2023 USA All-Star team won Bronze in the Lisboa Cup in Portugal. Over the next few weeks, we'll follow her story closely as she prepares for and competes in the EuroLax Sixes tournament.
Utah Valley Women’s vs University of Utah Women’s Saturday February 10th : Utah Valley faced off against the University of Utah on their home turf. Despite the Wolverines' valiant efforts, they succumbed to the visiting Utes with a final score of 16-10.
Utah Valley Men’s: Brian Barnhill leads the charge as head coach for the 2024 team at their base in Orem, Utah. Assisting him are a dedicated team of coaches including Ian Hyde, Karl Kuhni, Marty Wescott, Preston Burbidge, Todd Arbon, and Tyson Packer, each bringing their expertise to the field. Ian Arave oversees the goalies' training, while Brinton Herscher supports defensive strategies, and Jake Arbon takes charge as the offensive coordinator. Connor Boss specializes in faceoffs, ensuring a strong presence in that crucial aspect of the game. Steven Haymond serves as the director of operations, ensuring smooth logistics for the team. Established in 1995, this team competes in the RMLC DIV I conference, ready to showcase their skills and determination in the upcoming season.
@ Boise State Fri Feb 23 3:00pm
vs Arizona State Fri Mar 01 1:00pm
vs Northeastern Sat Mar 02 3:00pm
vs Utah Tech Sat Mar 09 12:00pm
vs Utah Thu Apr 18 7:00pm
vs Brigham Young Sat Apr 20 1:00pm
Upcoming Camps/Clinics/Trainings/Tryouts
→ BYU Youth & HS Camps
Season: Summer 2024
Girls: June 17-20th (Ages 14-18), June 24-27th (Ages 12-18), June 24-27th (Ages 7-12)
Boys: July 8-11th (Ages 12-17), July 8-11th (Ages 7-12), July 15-18th and July 22nd-25th (Ages 12-18), July 15-18th and July 22nd-25th (Ages 14-18)
Location: BYU in Provo, Utah
More info: byusportscamps.com
→ Utah Lynx Girls Lacrosse Tryouts
Season: Summer 2024
Girls Tryouts: February 23rd (6-7:30pm) for 2029-2031, February 23rd (7:30-9pm) for 2025-2028
Location: Spence Eccles Fieldhouse
More info: utahsummitlc.com/girls/
→ Wasatch LC HS Tryouts
Season: Summer 2024
Girls Tryouts: March 15th (5-6:30pm) and April 13th (4-5:30pm) for 2028-2030, March 16th (10-11:30am) and April 13th 2-3:30pm for 2025-2027
Boys Tryouts: February 22nd (9-10pm), March 16th (10-11:30am) and April 13th (2-3:30pm) for 2026-2027, February 26th (4-5:30pm), March 15th (6:30pm-8pm) and April 13th (4-5:30pm) for 2028-2030
Location: Vintage Muscle Fieldhouse (Woods Cross) and Woodrow Wilson Elementary (South Salt Lake).
More info: wasatchlc.com
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