Freshmen Lacrosse Players Share Their Perspective on the Sport

Men’s Lacrosse Game Against Patton High School. Photo Creds: Abbi Clark

Abbi Clark, Staff Writer to The Powderhorn

Students in Watauga County often find themselves inquiring about lacrosse. With little surrounding resources such as club or recreational teams, lacrosse goes unnoticed by most up until high school. By the time they finally get a chance to pick up the sport, surrounding teams and areas are far ahead. Therefore, Watauga’s lacrosse teams have to work twice as hard to progress and catch up to the competing teams in the region.

“Anybody who has played before has had all these years of experience and whoever’s coming in new, they just kind of have to jump in,” said Caroline Strickler, freshman lacrosse player. “It's kind of sad that there’s not a middle school team or a club team because I think that we would be able to be a lot better and a lot more competitive if there was.”

Despite the late start, the team remains deeply connected, more than just teammates, they consider themselves a family. Both the men's and women’s teams share this unity.

“We keep up such a good attitude and it is very supportive even if we win or lose,” said Strickler.

Crockett Maxey, freshman lacrosse player, agrees that his bond with his team is stronger than any bond he has experienced with previous teams. 

“I played football but it wasn't anything special,” said Maxey. “I enjoy a team with less pressure and more fun.”

While lacrosse offers a unique experience compared to other sports offered at Watauga, the players wouldn’t trade it for anything. They embrace the sport in its entirety, challenges and all.

“You definitely have to run, work and do everything you can to get better, but you get to go out there and take the field,” said Maxey. “Your main goal is to have fun and play your heart out and I enjoy that.”