Our girls’ lacrosse team has been everything but reLAXing this winter, preparing for their upcoming season. The team moved up a division, and with harder competition comes harder work. The ladies know they must come into this season hot, even if the weather is cold. Our girls hope to defend their 15th-in-state title in their home opener against 18th-in-state Villa Duchesne, and eventually work their way into the top 10.

“It’s going to be a tough year and we are going to have to work hard, but our team holds crazy potential and we’re excited to get out on the field and see what this season holds for us,” said senior captain Emily Schaefer.

The seniors are a huge aspect of the team; their endless support and outstanding play sets an example for the whole program. Senior captains Crosby Jones, Helen Wilmes, and Emily Schaefer make the team atmosphere one of a kind.

“You can always hear the seniors cheering or encouraging everybody else to keep working; they are a great group of leaders. They’re always there for everybody and keep us up during practice and games,” said junior Riley Luetkenhaus.

Having goals to make it to the top 10 is a hard task to tackle, but Coach Dan Hancock says the girls are up for the challenge.

“We have a new schedule which means we will be playing teams of a higher quality. I think the girls will rise to the occasion when playing against the top ten teams in the state,” said Coach Hancock.

As a fourth-year coach of the fourth-year program, Coach Hancock has watched the team grow from an “interest meeting” back in 2014, to the now 15th-in-state ranked program it is today. He has signed four players through to collegiate programs

already. Coach Hancock pushes the girls and always expects the best out of them.

“Coach Hancock expects us to put our all into everything we do at practice or in a game, and that’s one of the reasons I love the program,” said Luetkenhaus.

The ladies hope that all of the student body is as excited for the spring season to start as they are. So pack the grassy hill, come out and reLAX and watch your lady Crusaders tear it up.