Lacrosse is a sport that requires teamwork, hard work and commitment. The varsity lacrosse team, whose season started in February, is busy preparing for their next district game on April 16 against Highland Park.

“The thing I enjoy most about lacrosse is the intense speed, along with the friendships developed throughout the sport,” junior Larry Blaser said.

Lacrosse, considered by some people to be the oldest organized sport in America, requires hand-eye coordination and superior conditioning to run up and down the field. The game itself is not an easy one to master. Players have to run around to shoot a ball made of rubber and concrete into a six-foot tall net without getting tackled by the opposing team.

The part I like most about playing lacrosse is being crucial when the game is on the line,” junior Michael Douglas said. “You are able to make a key play to keep your team in it to win.”

Many of the members on the West team have been playing since they were young and have improved on their skills year after year.

“I got interested in the game when I heard some of my friends talking about it and I asked them what it was,” senior Jeff Miller said. “I have been playing ever since.”

Throughout the team’s career, many of the players have had great success, which they have used to build on their future prospects.

“One of my favorite moments in lacrosse at West definitely goes back to my freshman year when we went all the way to state quarterfinals, and I won the MVP award,” Douglas said.

The seniors will be playing their last games at West this year as they move onto college and beyond. “My favorite part about lacrosse is being with some of my good friends every day and getting to play the sport I love,” Miller said.