Schlonsky named newest captain of Skidmore men鈥檚 lacrosse
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (BVM) — A month before the start of the 2021 lacrosse season, Skidmore men鈥檚 lacrosse coach Joseph Martin has officially announced his second captain. Jason Schlonsky senior midfielder will be joining Sam Ohotnicky as the leader of the Skidmore men鈥檚 lacrosse team. Schlonsky and Ohotnicky look to help bring the team to new heights in the 2021 season.
Schlonsky came to Skidmore four years ago and made his impact felt immediately. As a freshman, he was named Liberty League Rookie of the Week on two separate occasions throughout the season. At the end of his first year, the newly named captain was able to score 21 goals while having nine assists for 30 points.听
Leading up to a highly anticipated sophomore return, Schlonsky would be riddled with back injuries which would sideline him for the majority of his second season. Skidmore would feel the loss of Schlonsky that year, winning half the number of games they won the year before.听
The next year Schlonsky returned healthy and was ready to get reacclimated into the offense. However, after starting off the year with three goals and one assist in five games, the season would end due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This ended what was looking to be a very successful season for both Schlonsky individually and the Thoroughbred team as a whole.
Although there have been setbacks, Schlonsky will have his time to shine in the upcoming season. As a two-way midfielder 厂肠丑濒辞苍蝉办测鈥檚 presence is felt on both sides of the field in every game he plays. His speed and shiftiness make him a huge problem for defenses as well as offensive planning.听
Being that he is a leader, Schlonsky sets a fantastic example for his teammates around him. Everyday the midfielder can be found in the Williamson Athletic Center playing wall ball and getting his body ready for the upcoming season. Since he has dealt with back injuries in the past, keeping his body in shape is extra important. Schlonsky takes all of the extra steps in order to ensure he will be able to play and this is what makes him such a great role model for the rest of the team. Even when he was not able to play as a sophomore, the future captain was always there leading the group with moral support and positive words.
As a captain Schlonsky now must set goals for not only himself, but for the team as a whole.
鈥淢y goal for the team this upcoming season is to have fun and rebuild the relationships that I think Covid has impacted,鈥� Schlonksy said. 鈥淎t the end of the day it鈥檚 not about lacrosse it鈥檚 about taking care of your second family and I think if we can walk away from a Covid season with our family still intact and on track to do big things next year that would leave me satisfied.鈥�听
If you couldn鈥檛 tell, 厂肠丑濒辞苍蝉办测鈥檚 selflessness is one of the qualities that makes him such a great captain. Schlonsky and the rest of the men鈥檚 lacrosse team emphasize the ideal of family among the group. They believe that when a team interacts as a family rather than a group of individuals, they will have more success both on the field and in life.听
One of the things which make both Schlonsky as well as Ohotnicky, so great for their team is that they check in with how each and every teammate is doing mentally and not just physically.听
听After naming Schlonsky as the second captain, Coach Martin talked about how Schlonsky and Ohotnicky鈥檚 work ethic was matched by nobody else.
鈥淭hey have consistently been two of the hardest workers in our program throughout their careers,鈥� Martin said about the two new captains. 鈥淸They] have earned an immense amount of respect from their teammates and our coaching staff.鈥澨�
Coach Martin clearly has a vision for his team this fall and the perfect people to make it a successful season are the two incoming captains. Being a great leader off of the field seems to be a quality which Martin looks for in captains. Both of these exemplify what it means to work hard and the Thoroughbreds should thrive because of this.听听
Since recently being named captain, Schlonsky isn’t worried about whether his role is going to change in the upcoming season.听
鈥�I try not to think about it too much and just do what I think is the right thing to do, Schlonsky said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 gotten me this far and earned the respect of my peers which means a lot to me. I wouldn鈥檛 want anyone to feel I act differently because of the title although it definitely helps your words carry a little more weight and think twice before every decision you make simply because you know you鈥檙e setting an example. My hope is that my attitude gets projected on others and that can help keep positivity in our team right now鈥�
Although he is a new captain, Schlonsky already seems to have a handle on his position. As a leader, he knows that his relationships with his teammates have not changed. However, his role as a leader gives his words more power.听
With the start of the season in less than a month, Schlonsky and the rest of the Skidmore lacrosse team look to have a successful season among the last few months of the pandemic.听
