Spring sports preview: Men’s lacrosse

Head coach: Mr. Andy Gruber

Assistant coaches: Mr. Ryan Haas, Mr. Kyle Mates ’05, Mr. Sam Hill, Mr. Markus Saba, Mr. Trevor Blossom, Mr. Cam Long

Key returning athletes: Notable athletes include seniors include Jack Emkow and Jack Caldwell and juniors Kevin Berutich, Jeffrey Utzinger and Anthony Kwiatkowski

Season opener: The men’s lacrosse team opened on March 6 vs. Culver Prep. They lost 23-5.

Key games: April 10 vs. Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller at Cathedral 1 p.m.; April 20 vs. Hamilton Southeastern at Cathedral 7 p.m.; May 14 vs. Carmel at Cathedral 7 p.m.

From Coach Gruber: “After missing all of 2020, the boys’ lacrosse varsity team is finding its footing this spring. A few key players return from the 2019 season, in which the team won the State championship. In 2021, a new group of talented players have started to shine in the pre-season practices and scrimmages, led by a large Junior Class and several important seniors. The team is expected to compete for the State championship, seeking its sixth title overall, and its fifth in the last seven years.

“The team will also compete in the highly competitive Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Association against perennial powerhouses Upper Arlington (Ohio) and St. Ignatius (Ohio). The team will also be tested in non-league contest against Culver Prep (a non-high school prep team) and Brother Rice (Michigan).  What the team lacks in experience due to the loss of 2020, they make up in skill. The team’s toughness and grit will be challenged every week and looks forward to it.”