HS LAX WRAP WEST By Todd Karpovich >>PLAYER OF THE YEAR Lucas Gradinger TORREY PINES (CALIF.)
Lucas Gradinger and his two older brothers, Nick and Max, have become synonymous with Torrey Pines (Calif.) lacrosse. All three Gradingers served as team captains. Nick went on to play at Cornell and Denver. Max played at Vermont. But Lucas, bound for Maryland, might just be the best of the bunch. He’s one of the most explosive offensive talents to come out of California.
“The overall experience of playing lacrosse for Torrey Pines cannot be duplicated. Every facet of how our program is run is professional and top-notch,” Gradinger said. “From wearing suits every time we are traveling, the scouting reports we get, and the opportunities that are awarded to us — it feels like a college program. Our coaches have experience both coaching and playing in NCAA championships and I would put them up against any other high school coaches in the country. Gradinger capped his career by winning the San Diego Section Open Division championship, fi nishing with a goal and three assists in a 7-5 victory over La Costa Canyon. Torrey Pines has won six section titles in the past 12 years. “He was the fi rst person everyone thinks of when San Diego lacrosse is mentioned,” coach Jono Zissi said. “As talented as Lucas is, he earns everything he gets. There is not a person I’ve come across in my 10-year coaching career that works harder than Lucas. He is a total lax junkie and a student of the game, and truly made all those around him better.” Gradinger fi nished the season with 37 goals and 42 assists, in addition to grabbing 72 ground balls. He was named the San Diego CIF Player of the Year and a US Lacrosse All-American. Gradinger also captured the school’s most outstanding athlete award. Athletic excellence is a family tradition. “[My brothers] were both incredible players and I have learned so much from observing their games and talking to them for countless hours about mine,” Gradinger said. “Since I was a little kid I have been going to their games and just being around the sport that much has made me a smarter lacrosse player.”
Nick Gradinger now is an assistant coach at Torrey Pines. He got to play with Max and coach Lucas. “I wouldn’t be afraid to attribute a lot of our success as a team to him,” said Lucas Gradinger, who added that he’s “chomping at the bit” to experience lacrosse at the next level. “Lacrosse doesn’t get any bigger than at the University of Maryland, and to have the chance to prove myself on a stage like that is incredible,” he said. “Being from the West Coast there is defi nitely a bigger chip on my shoulder than most guys. I can’t wait to represent where I’m from and continue to establish that great lacrosse is being played everywhere these days.”
LAXMAGAZINE.COM Michael Babb and Arapahoe
took their No. 7 seed personally and rode it as motivation to a another Colorado title. Follow the season-long narrative in the West.
36 LACROSSE MAGAZINE August 2013>>
LaxMagazine.com/HSBW
>>FINAL BOYS’ TOP 10
1. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) ÚThe Wildcats (21-1) affi rmed their status as a national power and knocked off Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) in overtime at the Big City Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. St. Ignatius’ only loss this season was to nationally-ranked Chaminade (N.Y.). The Wildcats were loaded with Division I talent, including Charlie Ford (Georgetown), Spencer Evans (Harvard), Matt Emery (Virginia) and Joe Lang (Harvard).
2. Torrey Pines (Calif.) ÚThe Falcons (17-3) capped a strong season with a 7-5 victory over La Costa Canyon to win the San Diego Open Division championship. The teams split their regular season meetings. Torrey Pines was led by West Region and San Diego CIF Player of the Year Lucas Gradinger (Maryland), Jake Kennedy (Bucknell), Chris Carter (Notre Dame), Bryce Cady (Bryant), Bennett Shafer (Denison) and Corey Black (Monmouth).
3. Arapahoe (Colo.) ÚThe Warriors (16-3) defended their Colorado Class 5A championship with a 10-7 victory over Cherry Creek. Arapahoe also won state titles in 2009 and 2012. Michael Babb was the state’s player of the year and will attend Denver.
4. St. Margaret’s Episcopal
(Calif.) ÚThe Tartans (21-4) had one of their most successful seasons, beating Corona del Mar for the Orange County title and then Harvard-Westlake for the CIF Southern-Section championship. St. Margaret’s was led by sophomore faceoff specialist Ryan Harnisch, who has committed to Denver.
5. La Costa Canyon
(Calif.) ÚThe Mavericks (18-4) fell short of a sixth San Diego championship by losing to Torrey Pines in the fi nal. Kyle Mummau (Bryant), Cole Tudor, Cameron Ziegler (Bryant) and Bryan Cooper were fi rst- team All-Avocado.
6. Bellevue (Wash.) ÚThe Wolverines (19-2) won their second consecutive state title with a 14-11 win over Mercer Island. Cole Johnson (Army) led the attack with four goals in the title game.
ÚThe Bruins (13-6) entered the Colorado playoffs as the top seed and return a solid core of players to make a deep run next season, led by junior midfi elder Matt Goettelman (Army).
7. Cherry Creek (Colo.)
7. Redwood (Calif.) Ú The Giants (20-6) beat Novato (Calif.) 13-7 to win the North Coast Division I championship. Redwood is the fi rst team from Marin County to win the title. Attackman Patrick Tracy has committed to Brown.
8. Corona del Mar (Calif.) ÚThe Sea Kings (18-3) lost 12-7 to St. Margaret’s Episcopal in the Orange County fi nal. Corona del Mar remains one of the top programs on the West Coast and will reload for next season. Jack Ortlieb (Holy Cross) is one of the area’s best goalies.
9. Cathedral Catholic (Calif.) ÚThe Dons (19-3) lost to La Costa Canyon in the semifi nals of the San Diego Open Division playoffs. Keenan Assaraf (Providence), Taylor Esoldi (Navy), Michael Kay (Drexel) and Spencer Schmitt (Syracuse) were standout players.
10. Regis Jesuit (Colo.) ÚThe Raiders (13-6) advanced to the Colorado state semifi nals, where they lost to eventual champion Arapahoe. Regis Jesuit had one of the state’s top defenses, led by Brian Wegner (Denver).
A Publication of US Lacrosse
©DIRK DEWACHTER (LG); ©TREVOR BROWN (MB)
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