Coaches are tasked with finding and recruiting great players, but it’s up to the players to make sure they stand out in a crowd.
Two Delaware Hayes standouts earned the right to do just that this week – and already have to some extent – as senior Alex Schumacher and freshman Clay Knight, thanks to standout showings at regional tryouts, were named National Lacrosse All-Stars. The duo will represent Ohio at the Brine National Lacrosse Classic Tuesday-Friday at the River City Sportsplex in Richmond, Virginia.
Schumacher said earning the right to play in the classic was a process, but one he powered through thanks to the work ethic he’s picked up from playing for the Pacers.
“A lot of hard work allowed me to be selected,” he said. “I’ve put in the work and surrounded myself with people who push me to be the best I can be. Every day at practice (at Hayes) we push ourselves to work as hard as possible … so that hard-working mentality has paid off.”
For Schumacher, one of the best parts about being named an all-star is getting to play all-stars.
“I know the classic is an opportunity to meet new people,” he said. “I’m excited to play talent from other states and think it’s awesome that I get to not only represent my town, but also, in this case, my state.”
Knight said he and Schumacher will play in a handful of games — each an opportunity to go against the country’s best players while getting instruction from the nation’s best collegiate coaches.
“Brine is a national tournament that will have a minimum of five games,” he said. “I hope to improve my skills from learning from the top college lacrosse coaches.”
The event brings the best youth lacrosse players in the United States and Canada to one venue. Regional teams, coached by NCAA lacrosse coaches, compete to become the national champion.
Knight said he’s stayed sharp by playing throughout the summer.
“I’ve been playing summer lacrosse with BlackJack, so I’ve been practicing with them since the end of school lacrosse.”
The Brine National Lacrosse Classic, in addition to the on-field action, gives student-athletes an opportunity to gain exposure to the college admissions and athletic recruitment process.
For Schumacher and Knight, it all starts Tuesday.
