Lacrosse finally becomes a sport at OH

After years of waiting, lacrosse officially became a sanctioned IHSA sport in 2016, marking a significant change for all players and fans in the community, with the first state series in 2018. Now, lacrosse has come to OH and has started their first season.

Lacrosse players across the US and those at OH have long advocated for the inclusion of the sport. 

“I’ve been pushing for [SD#308] to have lacrosse here since my freshman year, so I’m glad they finally added it,” said senior Jackson Daylor. 

Daylor, who has been playing since age 10, says the sport has been a defining one which changed his life. 

Senior Mikaela Busse echoed this statement. “I’ve played for eight years now, and I’m committed to play in college as well,” she said. 

Some lacrosse athletes questioned why the addition took so long. 

“A lot of schools, like Naperville, have had lacrosse for a long time, so it’s kind of surprising we didn’t have it earlier,” Busse said. 

For seniors like Daylor, the timing is very bittersweet. 

“I’m upset that it’s only here for my senior year,” he said. “If I could have played all four years then I would, but I’m happy other people can,” he said. 

Girls lacrosse coach Loriel Miller, who grew up in Naperville, said she sympathizes with these athletes.

“I was able to play lacrosse in high school for its first year as an IHSA sport,” Miller said.

“No matter where you are at in your program there is room for growth and learning. Lacrosse is constantly changing and it is still growing so there are a lot of people who start playing lacrosse in high school in our area,” she added.

Despite these challenges, players see the new program as an opportunity. 

 “It gives a lot of people a new opportunity to try a new sport,” Busse said. “Many people don’t know what lacrosse is and some people are kind of shocked we have it now.”

With a first-year team, there will be a period of adjustment, but players remain optimistic. 

‘I think because it is a new team and sport, we are going to get better as we go along in the season, i’m really excited to see what we can do in the future,” Busse said. 

Miller shared this hopefulness. “I know what it is to be a student-athlete and I use that perspective with my athletes. My goal is to empower players as a coach as well as help grow the game and spread the amazing sport of lacrosse.”

Beyond competition, the idea of community and team bonding is extremely important to the sport. 

“One thing most people don’t think about is the team relationship aspect of it, you really have to trust your teammates to have a good lacrosse team,” Daylor said. 

Many of the athletes and coaches are excited to see how these next few years will play out for the program. 

“I am already super impressed with the team, and we have not even played our first game yet,” Miller said.

As the season unfolds, the mutual excitement for this new sport is continuing to spread around the OH community.

“What I am most looking forward to this season, is to see the growth of the sport here at SD308 and the excitement for lacrosse to spread even more than it already has,” Miller said.

The boys team plays their season opener today at Batavia; the girls team had a make-up March 19 game at Metea Valley on Fri., March 21.