An explosion of lacrosse in Asheville
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Lacrosse is the one of the fastest growing sports in the country right now. In fact, high school lacrosse teams have doubled in the last 20 years. This is in part the result of the tenacity from programs like Cougars Lacrosse Alliance.
Thanks to private beneficiaries, company donors聽and the USA Lacrosse 1st Stick Grant, the competitive sport of lacrosse (LAX) is now growing in WNC. The program does not receive any public funding. Their聽belief聽is that this incredible sport should be affordable and accessible across the country. This Asheville City School Program, in partnership with Asheville Parks & Recreation is only 4 years young, including the two challenging years High School Athletics slowed due to the pandemic. These athletes would not be discouraged.聽 Coach Luke MacKenzie, a competitive LAX player himself, is a seasoned athlete who has also competed with Empire Lacrosse Travel and at the collegiate level as well. If you ask Coach Luke MacKenzie, Asheville High School鈥檚 Men鈥檚 Varsity Coach, he is very proud of the success and growth the sport is having in our community.
AHS has both聽a JV &聽Varsity Team playing in WNC NCHSAA Conference.聽 The聽Varsity Team has a young roster, but they are true athletes. 鈥淭he majority of my team plays multiple sports, building themselves to be a whole athlete. They have speed, agility, heart and determination. Those are the skills you need to be a great LAX player!鈥�
Sebastian Duncan#23 – is a freshman playing AHS Varsity LAX who lives in Montford. Born in Russia, he was adopted into a very supportive family that loves watching him play Lacrosse. 聽鈥淚 used to be into baseball and ultimate frisbee, but I like LAX better because you need strong stamina.鈥� With great tenacity, Sebastian always gives 100% when practicing, competing, working with his teammates every day after school and during 6:30 am workouts. 鈥淚 first started playing LAX in the fall of 2020 with an organization called Empire Lacrosse.鈥� Empire is a local LAX Travel Team that a few AHS athletes have trained with. 鈥淚 like Lacrosse because it is physical and it requires time and effort to learn and become good. When I play Lacrosse I can get rid of stress from home and in school. It allows me to be free and have fun with teammates. I look forward to playing LAX in College. I certainly see myself at that level moving forward.鈥� Sebastian has a clear vision as a student athlete. He understands that it takes hard work, commitment and a positive mindset to reach the goals he has set for himself, both now and in the future. 鈥淚 still have all A鈥檚 even while doing Lacrosse. I always prioritize school over Lacrosse.鈥� These are values that are instilled in them by their LAX Coach also. Respect for the game, their teammates, their Coach, and themselves.
Coach Luke runs a productive practice. While working with athletes with all different skill and experience levels, whether they are natural offense or defensive players, he builds on their strengths as athletes and focuses on聽stick work, ball control and game scenarios. Many of his players’ leadership qualities shine through when communicating, passing, scooping, and flying across the field. 鈥淚t feels good when you score because it makes you feel accomplished and you know you are contributing to the team.鈥� Sebastian explains. A great example of this team’s sportsmanship qualities.
Training doesn鈥檛 stop during the season. This AHS LAX team understands the importance of weight lifting, cardio work, and strength and agility training off season. This gives athletes new to the聽sport the opportunity to build confidence and team relationships. This year round training schedule is working. The strong personal connection between these players both on and聽off the field is obvious by the way they train together and play hard. These competitive athletes are both teammates and friends. It is obvious by their performance on the field. They are supportive during drills, when learning聽new skills, working on mechanics, and they have fun doing it. These athletes have come together from all different sports with the same goal in mind, to elevate this AHS Varsity Lacrosse team to a different level in 2022. Future Coaches and teams will look back in awe at the way USA Lacrosse, Cougar Lacrosse Alliance, Asheville City Schools, and Coach Luke MacKenzie have created an environment for this LAX Team to thrive in. Everyone agrees. For the love of the game, LAX is here to stay in Asheville. Ask our future USA Lacrosse Players.
Check out Asheville High School JV. Varsity games & playoff schedule & game results at . The support of our community and local businesses moving forward is paramount to the success of this LAX program in the coming seasons. After School, Summer Camps, & Lacrosse Clinics are available through Asheville Parks & Rec.聽 for our kids. Support the growth of LAX & pick up a stick.
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