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Canfield Lacrosse Club builds middle school team
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Goalie Jacob Prout (#43) stood ready to defend his goal during the Canfield Lacrosse Club middle school’s home game April 18.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Canfield Lacrosse Club middle school team rallied before taking the field during the first home game April 18.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.A varsity Canfield Lacrosse Club member was on hand to help and give tips to a member of the middle school club during the middle school’s only home game April 18.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Middle school members of the Canfield Lacrosse Club played their only home game at Canfield High School April 18. The team is coached by Dennis Peebles and members include Tyler Bashaw, Jake Billak, Danny Earley, Stone Elias, Trenton First, Brennen Klingensmith, Jacob Prout, Ben Rossvanes, Joe Scolieri, Robbie Stanko, Lucas Tomory and Ben Weiss.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Canfield Lacrosse Club middle school team took on Southeast at their first and only home game April 18.
By ABBY SLANKER
The sport of lacrosse has found a home in Canfield, thanks to the support of parents of former, current and future varsity players. While the Canfield Lacrosse Club varsity team has been playing for three years, this spring was the first season for the middle school club.
“The varsity has been in existence for three years and the board and coach had the insight to continue building the program from the ground up. The group of parents of former, current and future varsity players want lacrosse to have a permanent home in Canfield and the best way to do this was grow our talent as middle school players by providing them opportunities to practice and compete,“ said Jim Klingensmith, Canfield Lacrosse.
Both the varsity and middle school clubs are coached by Dennis Peebles. The middle school club had one home game this year, but traveled to several cities, including Medina, Greene, Hudson and Ravenna to compete. The high school competes against such schools as Boardman, St. Thomas, Mooney and Poland.
While many in this area are still learning about the sport, Klingensmith gave an explanation.
“Having grown up in the Mahoning Valley, I understand how valuable and important football is to the area. However, I had the opportunity to live in North Carolina for almost 20 years and I saw how other communities rallied around lacrosse. For those who never saw the sport, it is a combination of football, hockey, soccer and basketball. It also has characteristics of other sports. Lacrosse is know as the fastest game on two feet,” Klingensmith said.
The middle school club has played six games in the history of the program and have a 4-2 record. They won all three games at a lacrosse festival in Medina April 26 and they played four games the next weekend, with three on Saturday at an event titled LAX FEST.
“I am very happy to see it gain momentum, especially for the young men playing for the Canfield Middle Club. This group of players and their families are a perfect combination of character and talent to produce early success for the program,” Klingensmith said.
According to Klingensmith, the Canfield Lacrosse Club is always looking for new players.
“The Canfield Lacrosse Club also wants to grow and is continually looking for players. As of now, the middle school does not have any more home games, but I would encourage people to watch the varsity play to see the sport live. I believe football players, if they gave lacrosse a chance, would see how it would make them better football players. This also applies to other student athletes. Major networks such as ESPN and CBS are broadcasting major college games, which demonstrates the attention the sport is drawing in America,” Klingensmith said.