![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
Always in the upper echelon of its sport, the boys lacrosse team is starting the season with expectations fitting for its spot in the state’s elite. Despite graduating ten seniors, Kevin Cathcart, senior attackman, predicts nothing but the best in regard to the goals his squad, who he is a captain of, has set.
“Win State, and I don’t say that as a cliche answer,” he said. “I honestly think if we are not a contender for the State Championship we underachieved.”
The team worked in the offseason to fulfill these lofty goals. The Lions conditioned often and any chance they were given, participated in open fields organized by the seniors. Last season, the team fell in the second round of playoffs to Wilsonville 8-7. This conclusion did not sit well with returning players.
“Last year was ended by an embarrassing loss to a team we should have beaten, so I think this year we are going to come out much more fired up and ready to play,” Cathcart, said.
Filling the holes of the graduated seniors a group made up of numerous talented underclassmen and some first time seniors, according to Cathcart.
“Two notable first year Varsity athletes this year are Ian Anderson, sophomore attackman, who is going to start this year, and Elijah Eaton, who is a first year senior and might be the most athletic kid on the team,” Cathcart said.
One game in, the Lions have already started off the season with a little bit of revenge. The team defeated Wilsonville 10-8 on March 16.
“As always Lakeridge, Lincoln and LO are our biggest competition this year, but I truly believe we could beat all three of them this year,” Cathcart said. The Lions will be given a chance to prove him right when they face off against Lincoln at home tonight. The game will start at 8 p.m.