Ladies, gentlemen, and all lacrosse lovers, It's that time of the year again where nominations for Pre-Season All-American athletes are being submitted. Below is the list of athletes who demonstrate excellence both on and off the field for their teams. We're about to speak with a few of the coaches to gain some valuable insights into their athletes.
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Becoming an All-American in lacrosse is about more than just being skilled on the field. It's also about showing good character and sportsmanship. USA Lacrosse ensures that players are celebrated for their abilities while also keeping the game safe and inclusive.
To become an All-American, players must meet certain criteria set by USA Lacrosse. They must be active members of their high school team or an approved club team and participate in most of their team's games. Additionally, they should be key contributors to their team's success.
But being a good person matters just as much. Players should excel in school and treat others with respect. If a player doesn't follow these guidelines, they won't be considered for the All-American award.
Coaches and leaders in the lacrosse community play a crucial role in selecting All-Americans. They look for players who not only play well but also uphold the values of the game. By following these steps, USA Lacrosse ensures that deserving players receive recognition while maintaining fairness and friendliness in the sport.
American Fork
Head Coach Adam Lisonbee couldn't stop praising his four nominees! We got in touch with Coach Lisonbee, and here's what he had to say:
Luke Squire - Senior - Midfielder - Committed to BYU: Coach Lisonbee described Luke as a born leader, cool as a cucumber even in the heat of the game. With his dodging skills, sharp shooting, and fierce competitive spirit, Luke's a force to be reckoned with on the field.
Chaz Mooney - Senior - Attacker: Chaz's stick skills are out of this world he can catch passes that seem impossible, make passes that leave defenders scratching their heads, and find angles for shots that most players wouldn't even dream of. In addition to all that plus comes his smartness, creativity, and relentless hustle, and you've got a player who's a nightmare for defenders.
Preston Beeman - Senior - Defender - Committed to UVU: Preston's energy is contagious, covering every inch of the field with his tenacious defense. Whether it's guarding the open field or locking down inside, Preston's got it covered. And don't be surprised if you see him clearing the ball, dishing out passes, or even taking shots – he's a true all-around threat.
Coach Lisonbee couldn't be prouder of these players, and with their skills and determination, they're sure to make waves on the lacrosse field this season!
Box Elder
When we asked Coach Damon Andreasen about Aiden Gomm, he had nothing but good things to say.
Aiden Gomm - Senior - FOS: “Aiden is a senior Faceoff Specialist who faced a tough challenge last year when he injured his hamstring in the first game. Even though he played hurt for most of the season, he still won 60% or more of his faceoffs. Now that he's fully recovered, Aiden brings his best to the field as a reliable team player and respected team captain. He's been recognized at faceoff camps before, so we know he'll keep doing great this season. Aiden isn't just a talented lacrosse player; he's also a fantastic person and a top-notch student who earns respect both on and off the field.”
Payson
After speaking with Head Coach Daniel Sisneros, we discovered a wealth of admiration for his athletes, Aiden Hardy and Colby Olson.
Aiden Hardy - Senior - FOS: “Aiden might not be a well-known name in the state of Utah, as this will be his 3rd season of lacrosse after missing his sophomore year with a knee injury. However, he returns as one of the top faceoff middies in the state in 2023 and looks to make a statement as one of the top players in the entire state this season. He finished 4th in the entire state last season with 75.7% faceoff percentage with 221 wins and 8th in ground balls with 135. Last season he was 1st Team All Region in 5A Region 9 going 78% in region and 82% in his matchups against the Region 9 2nd team and Honorable Mention Faceoff Middies. He is almost entirely self-taught at the faceoff X and works incredibly hard all year round to improve. He enters his senior year in the best shape of his HS career, will also take a much larger role in our offense and is a key leader on our team as a captain. Aiden constantly challenges himself to improve and is a smart and tactical faceoff midfielder who utilizes several moves and counters to improve at the X throughout the game. In wrestling, Aiden is also a 2-time state qualifier for one of the top wrestling programs in the state of Utah and excels in the classroom as well.”
Colby Olson - Senior - Defender: “Colby is a three-year starter at defense and a two-year captain. His lacrosse journey began halfway through his freshman year. He is an incredible leader on our defense and has some of the best defensive footwork in the state and an incredibly high sports and lacrosse IQ. Last season Colby was named First Team All-Region for region 9 on Defense and looks to build on that this season. Last season, our defense ranked in the top 10 statewide for fewest goals allowed, conceding just over 7 goals per game. Colby played a crucial role in this achievement by maintaining our defensive organization off the ball and consistently taking on the toughest matchups against the opposing team's top attackmen. Individually, he led the team in takeaways with 41, placing him 24th statewide, and secured 85 ground balls. Colby is a dual-sport athlete, excelling as a linebacker for the two most successful football teams at Payson High School in over 40 years. In 2023 he was Second Team All Region Linebacker and Honorable Mention All County Linebacker and an Academic All State for Football. In 2022 he also was Honorable Mention All Region Linebacker. Colby is also a leader off the field for our program as he volunteered to coach our 3rd and 4th grade teams when they couldn't find a coach in 2022. Colby is an outstanding player who will look to lead Payson to its 4th season of improvement and potentially our best season as a program.”
Alta
In 5A Region 6, we have Senior Midfielder McKenzie Searle, whose performance in the of spring 2023 only scratches the surface of her current skills, work ethic, and abilities. Let's look at what Coach Madisen Dibble had to say about her.
McKenzie Searle - Senior - Midfielder - Committed to Lewis & Clark: “Kenzie is an exceptional player, and what makes her truly stand out is her determination. She's the hardest worker I've ever coached. Kenzie is driven to improve and be the best player on the field, and she understands that it takes hard work to achieve her goals. Her positive attitude influences everyone around her, and that's why her teammates have chosen her as captain for two years running. Not only is Kenzie a dedicated worker, but her talent is also remarkable. She shines on every field she plays on. Her skill with the lacrosse stick is impressive; she has incredible control and finesse that make her a tough opponent to defend against. Plus, her speed and agility make her an outstanding defender. I can't praise Kenzie enough for the person she is and the effort she puts into her game. Thank you for giving me the chance to recognize her talents.”
Brighton
We caught up with the incredible Head Coach Melissa Nash, also known as Nash, to learn more about her three nominations. Here's what Coach Nash shared about Ayla Cole, Izzy Gurley, and Alex Heugly:
“Starting off, these three have been playing together since elementary school, and now they're heading into their senior year as team captains. They've made tons of memories together, and they've also represented Utah on the national lacrosse stage multiple times.”
Ayla Cole - Senior - Defender: Coach Nash believes “Ayla is one of the top 5 defenders in the state! She's super smart on the field and has been leading our defense since she was a freshman. Despite missing most of last season due to an injury, Ayla's ready to make a big impact this year. Plus, she's an SBO at Brighton, so she's great at managing her time.”
Izzy Gurley - Senior - Midfield: “Izzy's speed is unmatched on our team, and she's also represented Utah on the national stage. Last year, she earned All-State and All-Region honors for her outstanding performance. Izzy's a force to be reckoned with in the midfield, using her speed, skills, and solid defense to make game-changing plays.”
Alex Heugly - Senior - Attack: “Since her freshman year, Alex has been a key player on our team. She's quick and sneaky, often causing turnovers that lead to big plays for us. With or without the ball, Alex is a threat, thanks to her amazing stick skills and lacrosse IQ.” Coach Nash predicts that Alex's senior year will be one to remember!
Coach Nash is incredibly proud of these three players, not just for their skills on the field, but also for the amazing people they are. They've made a huge impact on Brighton Lacrosse, and Coach Nash can't wait to see what they'll achieve in their senior year. “Go Bengals!”
Corner Canyon
Corner Canyon has nominated three outstanding athletes for this year's Pre-Season All-American honors. Here are some exciting insights from Coach Kenning on our junior players: midfielder Sophie Jacobs, attacker Cat Faucette, and defense/midfielder Mia Ambrose!
Sophie Jacobs - Junior - Midfield - Committed to Westminster: Junior Midfielder has been a Varsity starter since her freshman year. She divides her time between playing for the Tenacity 2025 national team and the Force Lacrosse elite team. Committed to Westminster, she embodies a tireless work ethic and natural leadership qualities. She serves as the heart and soul of Corner Canyon lacrosse, excelling as a full-field, all-around midfielder. A go-to defender for faceguarding and a threat to score from anywhere on the field, she brings versatility and skill to our team.
Cat Faucette - Junior - Attacker: Junior Attacker, our leading scorer in 2023, has been a starter since her freshman year. She has built an impressive lacrosse resume, having played for Force Elite, Tenacity, and UT Lynx. Not only is she a key contributor in causing turnovers, assists, and ground balls, but she also holds a leadership role as one of our team captains. Beyond the lacrosse field, she excels academically as one of the top debaters in the state. Her achievements include qualifying for state and nationals last year, with a recent qualification for state this year highlighting her continued success.
Mia Ambrose - Junior - Defender/Attacker: Mia started her lacrosse journey in her freshman year, she made remarkable strides in her skills and became a defensive starter despite a team of talented seniors. Mia was recently selected for the True Force Elite Black team (Highest Team), she's poised for success. This year, Mia will showcase her versatility by playing midfield and leading as a team captain. Known for her lightning speed, exceptional stick skills, and elite-level defense, Mia is a force to be reckoned with on the field. Opponents who haven't yet faced Mia will soon discover her prowess and dread competing against her.
All three of these girls maintain a 4.0 GPA while excelling on the lacrosse field. They were starters on last year's 6A Academic state champion lacrosse team, while Corner Canyon claimed the 6A Academic state championship for 2023.
Farmington
Head Coach Christopher MacAulay took a moment to highlight the achievements of Farmington's nominees: Ell Erickson, Alexandra MacAulay and Hailey Larsen.
Elle Erickson - Junior - Goalie: Elle has been an integral part of our team for six years, showcasing her talent both on and off the field. Last year, she earned recognition as an all-state, all-region, and All-American player, ranking second in the state for save percentage. Her dedication to lacrosse extends beyond the field, as she has played for various teams including Express, UT Lynx, and has guest played for Alliance and YellowJackets. Moreover, Elle is actively involved in extracurricular activities, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to her community. She has been a candidate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student Visionaries of the Year twice and has dedicated over 20 volunteer hours at school daycare centers and more than 50 hours at Knowlton Elementary. Additionally, she has served as the girls' soccer team manager and worked as a student intern for Mountain Land Physical Therapy and Farmington High Athletics. Notably, Elle won a Recycle and Reuse Fashion Show. As an on and off-field leader, Elle continuously motivates herself and her teammates to strive for excellence. I nominated her for this prestigious honor because of her outstanding performance in the goal and her unwavering efforts to elevate our team to greater heights.
Alexandra MacAulay - Junior - Midfielder: Alexandra, also known as Ally, MacAulay has been playing lacrosse for 10 years across various states, including Virginia, New Jersey, New Mexico, and now Utah. Despite facing a setback last year due to an injured/broken foot requiring surgery, she showcased remarkable resilience. Even with limited playtime, she co-led our team in points per game average (3.4) and total ground balls (42) and earned a spot on the 2nd All-Region Team. Throughout her lacrosse journey, Ally has represented teams like Express and UT Lynx. Beyond lacrosse, she is actively involved in extracurricular activities, serving as a member of the varsity volleyball team, student government officer for three years, and High School Hope Squad member for three years. Additionally, she dedicates her time as a Snowbasin Ski Instructor and Operations Management Intern. Ally's impact extends beyond the field as she demonstrates leadership both on and off the field, earning her the role of Team Captain. I nominated her for this honor due to her exceptional lacrosse IQ, skill level, strong work ethic, and her dedication to supporting and uplifting her teammates.
Hailey Larsen - Junior - Midfielder: Hailey Larsen has been dedicated to lacrosse for seven years, showcasing her skills and leadership both on and off the field. Last year, she emerged as a standout player, leading our team in draw controls with an impressive 142, the highest in the state. Additionally, she proved to be a top goal scorer, averaging 2.9 goals per game, and totaling 49 goals for the season. Her contributions didn't stop there, as she also co-led in points per game with 3.4. Recognized for her outstanding performance, Hailey was selected for the 1st Team All Region. Beyond lacrosse, Hailey is actively involved in various extracurricular activities, including varsity basketball, school choir, and piano. She also demonstrates her compassion and dedication through her involvement in fundraising for cancer research for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As a leader, Hailey sets a remarkable example of hard work and teamwork, earning her the honor of being chosen as a team captain during her sophomore and junior years.
Riverton
We got to talk to Head Coach Joey Dorton about Kaitlyn, and she had some great things to say about her.
Kaitlyn Davenport - Senior -Midfielder: “Kaitlyn is amazing! She works really hard on our team and was one of our best scorers last year. She's also good at getting the ball during draws and causing turnovers. Not only that, but she's a leader and a good friend to everyone on the team. Kaitlyn is someone we can always count on, both during games and outside of them.”
Woods Cross
Coach McKenzie had nothing but praise for Ella Mathews.
Ella Mathews - Senior - Midfielder - Committed Westminster: “Ella is not just a skilled athlete but also an exceptional teammate and leader on our team. From the very beginning, she has been supportive, lending a helping hand to the coaches, driving teammates to and from practice and assisting wherever needed. Although I haven't had the chance to coach Ella in a game yet or known her for long, her reputation as a talented athlete and kind-hearted person has remained consistent. Ella isn't afraid to ask questions or put herself in challenging situations to improve herself and her team. It's truly an honor to work with outstanding individuals like Ella, and I anticipate this season to be nothing short of excellent with her on the team.”