By Jules Cantor, ’11, Sports Editor
In Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles, a parson ponders the question, “How are the mighty fallen?” This question may be posed in reference to the CCDS lacrosse program. Over a seven-year span, CCDS lacrosse has regressed from capturing the 2003 state championship to being barely able to muster a squad.
Over the course of the winter, senior captain and defender Fabrizio Aguirre (pictured) exerted all his recruiting energy simply trying to find bodies to fill positions for the team. Suffering from the loss of last year’s senior class players, as well as the departure of players such as Evan Finch, ’12, and Brian Brownstein, ’10, to other CCDS sports teams, Aguirre was able to scrape together a team of 15 students.
Once a powerhouse, CCDS lacrosse seems to be in decline, which Aguirre credits to the lack of a MS program.
“We are getting little interest from guys because I am afraid people think lacrosse takes too much time to learn. But that’s not the case,” said Aguirre.
With popular programs in track, baseball, and tennis, there hasn’t been a lot of interest at the MS level in lacrosse over the past few years. Aguirre said he encourages anyone with interest to join, as “it doesn’t take that long to learn how to pass, catch, and cradle.”
A smaller team means lacrosse’s traditional schedule of opponents has been altered. Newly formed, smaller teams such as CHCA and Springboro will supplant longtime rivals Indian Hill and Mariemont, each with large rosters and each teams that the seniors said they will regret not being able to play. Nevertheless, among the 15 participants, enthusiasm is high.
Will Duncan, ’11, and Cam June, ’10, will lead the charge offensively for the Indians, both returning as starters at attack. Basil DeJong, ’11, returns as a midfielder, and Aguirre, Wyatt Tiffany, ’11, and captain Clint Thomas, ’10, are the team’s best returning defenders. In addition, J.R. Strubbe, ’10, will man the pipes, returning for action as the team’s goalie. Other returning players include Matt Lesser, ’10, and Reed Davis, ’12.
Thus, it appears that the 2010 team will take the season game by game. With each additional game, young players will gain experience, and the team will mesh and become more comfortable with each other’s abilites. It will certainly be worth watching to see if the 2010 team is able to have the success necessary to lay the foundation for a brighter future for CCDS lacrosse.
Photo courtesy of Fabrizio Aguirre.
