Utah Falls to Denver, HS Region Rankings Continue & Armchair Lacrosse Coach: New Season, New Resolutions

Issue 78 - Also an update from Utah Summit LC & Tornadic Force Lacrosse and more!

Good morning lacrosse fans! What a weekend. Let’s put the 30 degree weather behind us and look forward to warmer temps because that can only mean lacrosse season is here.

2022 Sponsors

Last year, the fine folks at Vessel Kitchen were excellent sponsors. This year, the Utah Lax Report is grateful for three local sponsors who have caught the vision and are willing to help out.

Tribal West Lacrosse - Fish and I have been working together in the lacrosse media space for a long time and the Tribe is once again a sponsor. Obviously Tribal West is a great place to get new gear for the upcoming season. There may or may not be YouTube videos of us breaking down games from several years ago. Learn more: tribalwest.com

MinersTown Strength and Condition - MinersTown Strength and Conditioning is a Park City-based fitness community. Learn more: minerstownpc.com

Salty Lacrosse - Salty Lacrosse offers premium lacrosse gear and equipment at affordable prices. Learn more: saltylacrosse.com

Mens College

Utah v. Denver - What. A. Game! I was lucky enough to be on the color commentating with Dane Stewart and Booker Corrigan and we were blown away by the play on the field. Was there first game jitters? Sure, but overall, what a way to kick off the season. If you have been paying attention, you know I love a pole goal. But a pole goal assisted by a pole, wow. WOW.

Utah Lacrosse @UtahLacrosse

Q3 | Utah 10, Denver 8 @Lemons_Rylan with the pass and @sammycambere1 with the long stick finish! #GoUtes

At practice on Thursday, the team was warming up with Candian lefties, backhanded scoop passes and all sorts of tricky passes. And now you know why! Great skill by the veterans Rylan Lemons and Sammy Cambere.

I also was grateful to talk to Coach Tierney who said, among other things, ‘It’s nice to fly West to start a trip for a change’.

Read the recap here. Utah heads to Vermont next weekend. The next home game is March 26 against Mercer.

In MCLA action, UVU hosted the upstart Utah Club team and won 10-7.

cbreezesports

A post shared by Caleb Brown (@cbreezesports)

Upcoming Men’s Schedule

• Feb. 10/11/12 - BYU v. Boise State, Washington State, Simon Fraser - Boise, Idaho

• Feb. 10 - Westminster @ UVU - 6pm Scrimmage

• Feb. 11 - Utah Club @ Utah State - 6pm

• Feb. 12 - Utah @ Vermont - 10am

• Feb. 12 - UVU @ Utah State - 1pm

Boys High School

We continue on with the Boys region preseason rankings. Last week we previewed Region 3 and Region 6.

Region 4 Preseason Rankings

Corner Canyon Defenseman Trace White

Corner Canyon takes the top spot which should surprise no one. Coach Ika and crew have put together an exciting schedule that kicks off on March 11 against Davis. The Chargers then host Cherokee Trail from Colorado (who also plays Alta while in town), a 2021 Class A Championship rematch against Park City, a neutral site game in Eagle, Colorado against perennial powerhouse Cherry Creek. Region play and a Spring Break trip to California to play Mater Dei and Corona Del Mar highlight the Chargers schedule. Certainly, anyone who has questioned how good this team can be should be excited to see top-level Colorado and California opponents on the schedule.

2022 Region 4 Preseason Rankings

1. Corner Canyon (6)

2. American Fork

3. Lone Peak

4. Westlake

5. Pleasant Grove

6. Skyridge

Region 4 Players to Watch¹
McKay Lock (American Fork), Ethan Genessy (American Fork), Noah Fisher (American Fork), Jon King (Corner Canyon), Mason Quick (Corner Canyon), Ayden Santi (Corner Canyon), Anders Neunshchwander (Lone Peak), Ethan Densley (Lone Peak), Nick Siri (Lone Peak), Isaac Anderson (Pleasant Grove), James Livingston (Pleasant Grove), Ryken Davis (Pleasant Grove), Cooper Manning (Skyridge), Camden Cook (Skyridge), Dawson Yates (Skyridge), Hunter Hernandez (Westlake), Rhett Ellingson (Westlake), Ethan Boren (Westlake).

Region 11 Preseason Rankings

Green Canyon Attackman Tucker Sampson

Some are also calling this region the 4A North region so you may see that used here and there. When it was announced the brackets would be done by classification, it was hard not to think that Green Canyon will lead the pack for many years to come. Obviously, time will tell, but based on play from last season, Green Canyon is the clear favorite in Region 11 and 4A. The Wolves have a great non-region schedule including Lone Peak, Mountain Ridge, Brighton, Olympus and Park City. However, Sky View will have something to say about it as they only graduated two seniors last year. When these two teams square off on April 29, a region title may be at stake.

2022 Region 11 Preseason Rankings

1. Green Canyon (4)

2. Sky View (2)

3. Ridgeline

4. Bear River

5. Logan

6. Mountain Crest

Region 11 Players to Watch
Myles Nielson (Bear River), Fierce Miller (Bear River), Sawyer Davis (Bear River), Harry Todd (Green Canyon), Tucker Sampson (Green Canyon), Brandon Mueller (Green Canyon), Andrew Wright (Logan), Braydon Skinner (Logan), Aaron Franckowiak (Logan), Payden Bird (Mountain Crest), Wiley Law (Mountain Crest), Montana Merchant (Mountain Crest), Dante Villa (Ridgeline), Tyson McKee (Ridgeline), Colby Bateson (Ridgeline), Parker Robins (Sky View), Koji Schwartz (Sky View), Josh Hall (Sky View).

Club Spotlight: Utah Summit LC

Submitted by Utah Summit LC: Utah Summit LC provides high-level coaching, player development and recruiting assistance for top-tier players in the state of Utah. We are proud to announce our name change from Salt Lake Summit LC to Utah Summit LC. This change is inspired by our desire to expedite our outreach to the entire state and continue to grow the sport in Utah. Utah Summit LC is now fully operated by Directors Will Manny and Adam Ghitelman, current PLL All-Stars and former NCAA D-I Coaches at the University of Utah.

We are excited to announce two new additions to our coaching staff, Brent Adams (PLL Atlas Midfielder) and Utah native & NCAA All-American Bubba Fairman, who will join us after he graduates from the University of Maryland this spring.

Our current lacrosse offerings include Boys’ Club Lacrosse Teams (Graduation Years 2029-2023), Box Lacrosse Teams (U11,U13,U15), Position-Specific Training Programs, Virtual Coaching & IQ Development, Recruiting Consultation, Private/Group Training, PLL Pro-Camps, Girls Training Programs, and much more!

We are excited to begin our Girls Lacrosse Teams in the Summer of 2022. Summit LC Lynx is dedicated to establishing the most elite-level girls lacrosse teams in the state of Utah. We will be hosting tryouts this February 18th & 19th at Spence Eccles Field House. We are currently assembling a top-tier staff of current D1 players, NCAA All-Americans, and Athletes Unlimited players.

You can learn more at our current website: www.saltlakesummitlc.com. Follow us on Instagram at @UtahSummitLC.

If you would like to find out more about Utah Summit LC, please email us:
Will Manny: will@utahsummitlc.com
Adam Ghitelman: adam@utahsummitlc.com 

Club Spotlight: Tornadic Force Girls Lacrosse

Submitted by Tornadic/Force Lacrosse: Tornadic Lacrosse and Force Lacrosse have joined forces to create an unstoppable Northern Utah program. In 2019 Force Lacrosse was ranked by US Lacrosse Club the best team in Utah. In 2021 Tornadic Lacrosse was ranked by US Lacrosse Clubs the best 2026, best 2024 and the overall best team in Utah. Bringing these two together will make an unbelievable program.

Register here for FREE Summer Tryouts. 

Date: February 12th
Location: Legacy Events Center, 151 S 1100 W, Farmington, UT 84025 

• 5 / 6  2:00pm - 3:00pm

• 7 / 8  3:00pm - 4:00pm

• HS    4:00pm - 5:00pm

Further questions and information Email: Makenning@gmail.com and Tornadiclacrosse@gmail.com 

All levels of experience are welcome to join the free tryouts. Don’t let the tryout scare you from joining the team. Tryouts are to see what level of team you will be placed on, Intermittent or advanced. 

Womens College

Westminster made the journey up to Grand Junction this past Saturday to scrimmage Colorado Mesa. The scrimmage ended in favor of CMU, 18-8. Colorado Mesa will be making the trip to Salt Lake City on April 6th at Dumke Field in the regular season RMAC showdown.

Upcoming Women’s Schedule

• Feb. 26 - Westminster @ BYU - 2pm

Girls High School

Region 8 Preseason Preview

Alta Hawks - Photo from March 2021 

Alta is coming in hot to Region 8 this 2022 season. The team ended with 13 wins in 2021. Alta has a strong starting lineup with returning players. Senior Autumn Engstrom stats from 2021 include: 16 games played, 24 goals and 28 groundballs. Senior Jessica Law had 12 goals and 17 groundballs while Camryn Ogg will once again anchor the defense.

“Compared to other regions, Region 8 has a lot of newer teams so it’s exciting being able to watch them grow and learn,” said Alta Head Coach Abigal Breur. “I think this season will bring more competition within region play. Each team in our region has grown in talent and size, so I think it’ll be a different experience from last season. I have an amazing group of girls and I’m so excited to see what they accomplish this season. We are pushing for that Region 8 title!”

Alta and Jordan did not have the opportunity to compete against one another in 2021. This 2022 spring season gives them two chances to compete on the field. These will be fun games to watch. The first meeting will be on March 24 when Jordan heads to Alta. A little over a month later, Alta will head to Jordan on April 28.

Timpanogos and Lehi started their 2021 contest with a competitive game ending in as a win for Timpanogos, 8-4. Playing once more, Timpanogos stepped on the field that night with power and strength, ending the second game against Lehi with an 11-5 win. There has been exciting growth from Timpanogos, we can’t wait to see what they bring to the field this 2022 spring season. The two teams will square off on April 12 and May 5.  

The coaches’ votes below show it all. Alta is in favor of winning the Region 8 Championship. The question we're left with is WHO will be battling it out with them. Every team has new talent joining their roster. One of these teams may just surprise us.  

2022 Region 8 Preseason Rankings

1. Alta (6)

2. Timpview

3. Jordan (1)

4. Timpanogos

5. Lehi

6. Mountain View

7. Orem

Region 8 Players to Watch
Autumn Engstrom (Alta), Jessica Law (Alta), Camryn Ogg (Alta), Jordyn Dangerfield (Jordan), Kenzie Archuleta (Jordan), Siena Fairbanks (Jordan), Lita Sundquist (Lehi), Kaylee Harding (Lehi), Jaidynn Hutchinson (Lehi), Aleah Parish (Orem), Cadre Tregeagle (Orem), Irelynn Jean (Orem), Amanda Mcdonald (Timpanogos), Amelia Yarro (Timpanogos), Quincy Haslam (Timpanogos), Gabi Hall (Timpview), Lauren Robertson (Timpview), Aubrie Patching (Timpview). Anora Plant (Mountain View), Catherine Norris (Mountain View), Lexie Perez (Mountain View)

Region 9 Preseason Preview

Wasatch Wasps - Photo from March 2021

Wasatch has some big shoes to fill, with 2021 Senior Sara Livingstone leaving the season with 51 goals and 81 groundballs. Kaitlin McGuire will be stepping up her game from 2021. Joining Kaitlin in strengthening the Wasps is Grace Eker and Sophie Nielsen. Looking back on the Wasatch 2021 season, the closest game Wasatch had against the Region 9 teams was Maple Mountain with only a 9 point differential. 

Wasatch enters as the favorites to win Region 9 with Provo following behind them. Watch and see how these teams will do this Spring!

2022 Region 9 Preseason Rankings

1. Wasatch (6)

2. Provo (2)

3. Springville

4. Maple Mountain

5. Spanish Fork

6. Payson

7. Cedar Valley

8. Salem Hills

Region 9 Players to Watch²
Alyssa Vehar (Cedar Valley), Kameni Westbroek (Cedar Valley), Emery Stohlton (Cedar Valley), Sally Otterstrom (Provo), Kate Wolf (Provo), Elle Scott (Provo), Olivia Ottley (Springville), Kenzie Larsen (Springville), Maizie Thompson (Springville), Kaitlin Mcguire (Wasatch), Grace Erker (Wasatch), Sophia Nielson (Wasatch), Kaia Hoyt (Salem Hills), Maddie Larson (Salem Hills), Ora Short (Salem Hills), Brooklyn Perry (Maple Mountain), Taylor Yee (Maple Mountain), Lindy Winward (Maple Mountain) Kate Yost (Payson), Hannah Hazalet (Payson).

Armchair Lacrosse Coach: New Season, New Resolutions

Editor’s Note: Armchair Lacrosse Coach is the newest feature on the Utah Lax Report and features the thoughts, rants, musings, grievances, napkin notes and journal entries of Brad Lavoie. Brad grew up in the NE, played his collegiate lacrosse in Connecticut and has been involved with the Utah lacrosse community going all the way back to 2004.  Across the last 15-20 years, he has coached lacrosse at almost every level from kindergarten bobbleheads to the NCAA D-II.  He is a true lacrosse nerd who will never stop learning and sharing. Brad currently lives in Jeremy Ranch with his wife Amy and their two little boys. 

Lacrosse, like most other sports, is a simple game. Throw more rubber balls in their goal than they throw in yours and your team wins.  

However, our game is played by and coached by humans. Humans are complex and it’s our humanity that adds complexity to our simple game. So as we all gear up for another spring campaign in the great state of Utah it seems like a reasonable time for us coaches to take a moment to address some of the coaching traps and pitfalls that our own humanity can trip us into if we’re not careful.  

Personally, I took some time to write down some of my own shortcomings (of which there are too many to write in this article) and decided to outline a few coaching mistakes that I have made in the past and hope to avoid in 2022.

1. Remember, coaching is not a process: It can be easy to forget, especially if you are over the age of 40, that coaching is not a process. I am defining the word “process” in this case as a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end. Coaching is not merely the installation of a system like it may have been in the past. Coaching is a relationship. It's a relationship with other humans built on earned trust and mutual respect. Without a foundation of trust and respect your attempts at building a successful team culture will fail, even if the team goals are shared by all in some way.  It doesn't matter if success is defined by championship hardware or long-term development of young humans, the trappings of process before relationships is likely holding our groups back from reaching their true potential. 

2. Don’t forget, feedback and criticism are not the same things: Even with good intentions, it can be easy to lose sight of the influence we have as coaches.  Words and tone matter. We need not forget that there is a difference between feedback and criticism. Feedback is specific, measured, respectful and generally focused on improvement either at the team or individual level. In other words, feedback is both actionable and effective, especially if it’s a two-way street. Criticism on the other hand is overly broad, selfish, often condescending and vitriolic in tone. General criticism like this does not guide your team towards a solution to the problem, it just tells them they are doing it wrong because they are lousy lacrosse players. It's like when someone doesn't understand what you mean and you just keep repeating what you said louder and louder. Habitual criticism drives resentment all the way down the chain and saps motivation. In other words, not helpful. Someone much smarter than me once said young people become the words they hear most often. What do you hope the future holds for your team? This spring, let's try to catch them doing it right instead of the other way around and provide effective feedback in a way that we as adult humans would demand if the tables were turned. 

3. Be mindful of the line between “doing it” and “overdoing it” - As humans, we have a penchant for over-romanticizing the past.  We are a species of storytellers. We know those stories get exaggerated over time but we refuse to admit it. The annoying, often recalled accounts of how “WE” (old people) practiced when we were your age is seemingly universal. However, this is a story that can decimate our teams. Going super hard every day with longggg…..physically, mentally and emotionally taxing practices does not build character and toughness. To the contrary, it builds tired, injured and mostly miserable student-athletes that will have little in the tank come game day.  Fortunately for us we have 60 years of research in the fields of human physiology, kinesiology and psychology to lean on in hopes of avoiding these types of mistakes. To that end it is absolutely necessary to have a plan to manage the volume and intensity load (known as Periodization) with the goal of having our players show up on game day with full tanks. Along the same lines, time is the most finite resource there is and we need to make better use of it by improving our organization, planning and discipline. Come prepared, stay true to the clock and don’t steal the reps by talking too much. Do everything with purpose. It may look ugly at times when we swallow the whistle but your players will thank you when a packed 90 minutes goes by in a flash. Note: learning is taking place, I promise. In the words of Tony Holler, “Don’t let today ruin tomorrow”.

All that said, mistakes will be made. Human nature is inescapable. Own them, address them directly and model the behavior. Personal accountability or lack thereof is contagious. Mistakes are how we learn and we can never stop learning in hopes of doing it better the next day. Cheers to doing it better in 2022!³

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That’s it for this week, stay safe out there and see you on the sidelines!

— Tim Haslam (Mens/Boys), Kenzie Christiansen (Womens/Girls) & Brad Lavoie (Armchair Lacrosse Coach)

1. A handful of Region 4 coaches submitted more than 3 players so I’ve paired down their lists to just 3 per team to keep things organized. There are certainly more than 3 players to watch on some of these teams which is true for all regions.

2. In the cases where players from certain teams aren’t listed, the coach didn’t submit players for consideration or I couldn’t find a reliable roster.

3. The wisdom above was shamelessly ripped from the following: Stuart Armstrong at the Talent Equation Pod, John O’Sullivan at the Way of Champions Pod, John Kessel at USA Volleyball, Tony Holler - Feed the Cats, Ken Blanchard, Trevor Regan from the Learner Lab.