Boys lacrosse preview: Local teams continue to seek improvement

Last season was a banner year for boys lacrosse in Medina County. with Brunswick (17) and Highland (14) setting program marks for wins in a season. The Blue Devils, who won the Northern Ohio Lacrosse League and finished second in the Greater Cleveland Conference, graduated Gazette MVP Will Fink but remain a strong, young team on the rise. The Hornets are looking to maintain a high standard despite some significant graduation losses and will be in the mix to defend their Suburban League championship. Wadsworth is under new direction. as former assistant coach and Grizzlies lacrosse alumnus Nick Hassinger takes the reins from Matt Milano. Hassinger is excited about the experience and depth he has to work with in his first season. Medina is looking to battle back from an uncharacteristic down year marred by injuries and has plenty of experience to test any defense it goes against. Here's a closer look at the county's four boys lacrosse teams: Brunswick Coach: Jerry Golod (4th season, 29-29). Last season: 17-3, 3-1 Greater Cleveland Conference (2nd GCC). Key letterwinners lost: Will Fink (Gazette MVP), Colin Horley (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Charlie Vlcek (All-Gazette, G, jr.), Liam Werner (All-Gazette, A, so.), Brian Hill (HM All-Gazette, M, sr.), Carson Updike (HM All-Gazette, M, jr.), Aidan Boone (D, sr.), Tyler Hennigan (D, sr.), Logan Early (A, jr.), Sam D'Attoma (D, jr.), Myles Hansel (M, jr.). Newcomers: Noah Kurlich (M, sr.), Parker Bates (D/LSM, so.), Ajay Rebraca (D/LSM, so.), Vinnie Coven (A, so.), Jacob Simon (G, fr.), Josh Syrowski (D, fr.). Noteworthy: The Blue Devils are looking to build off last season's record-setting campaign and Golod believes as the youth program continues to grow, the program, now in its 13th season, will only get stronger. l Werner led the county in points (74) and assists (30) while finishing second in goals (44) as a freshman. Highland Coach: Nate Howard (3rd season, 24-11). Last season: 14-4, 7-0 Suburban League (1st SL). Key letterwinners lost: Jack Howard (All-Gazette), Ben Fearn (All-Gazette), Evan Grant (All-Gazette), Ryan Przybysz (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Dillon Buran (HM All-Gazette, A, sr.), Matthew Steinmetz (G, sr.), Harrison Sanders (D, sr.), A.J. Wiseman (M, sr.), Colton Foust (M, sr.), Luke Berkmeyer (A, sr.), J.P. Quinn (M, sr.), Gabe Boyce (M, sr.), Josh Messina (D, jr.), Tommy Fearn (D, jr.), Eli Howard (M, jr.), Jon Tanski (A, jr.), Henry Trausch (A, jr.). Newcomers: Justin Weaver (D/LSM, so.), Andrew Luipold (D/LSM, fr.), Josh DeSimone (G, fr.), Beckett Mast (M, fr.). Noteworthy: Replacing the county's leading scorer in Jack Howard (45 goals) will be the top priority for the Hornets as they look to repeat as SL champions. l Highland has plenty of depth and talent, but it will be a matter of who can step up to fill new roles after the graduation of a class that included four players that received Gazette accolades. Medina Coach: Jake Kubasta (10th season, 94-64). Last season: 7-10, 1-3 Greater Cleveland Conference (4th GCC). Key letterwinners lost: Jack Schwendeman (All-Gazette), Connor Huml (HM All-Gazette), Zach Kuczkowski (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Evan Ryba (All-Gazette, D, jr.), Lach Talley (HM All-Gazette, A, jr.), Cam Miller (A, sr.), Will Ivey (A, sr.), Alan Grimsic (D, sr.), Camden Ballachino (M, sr.), Tim Gilday (M, sr.), A.J. Sandusky (M, sr.), Coby Miladinovic (G, jr.), Jonah Gorman (G, jr.), Alex Whittier (D, jr.), Johnny Nunn (LSM, jr.), Evan Browne (M, jr.). Newcomers: David Kornblum (M, sr.), Elijah Zabka (M, sr.), Dom Marsala (G, so.), Marshal Owings (LSM, so.), Caleb Miller (M/A, so.). Noteworthy: The Bees return their top three scorers from last season in Talley (20 goals, 17 assists, 37 points), Cameron Miller (24, 13, 37) and Ivey (21, 11, 32) and should be strong in the attack. l Ballachino will miss the season after suffering a knee injury in a scrimmage. Wadsworth Coach: Nick Hassinger (1st season). Last season: 8-9, 4-3 Suburban League (4th SL). Key letterwinner lost: Brayden Turano (All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Jackson Erksa (All-Gazette, A, sr.), Adam Heckel (D, sr.), Gavin Redfern (D, sr.), Mason Blake (D, sr.), Cam Croley (M, sr.), Tristan Pitts (M, sr.), Caden Piekarski (M, sr.), Logan Bounce (M, sr.), J.B. Clendenning (A, sr.), Preston Davis (A, jr.), Deacon Johnson (A, jr.), Zach Kiko (G, jr.), Jordan Jones (D, jr.), Carlos Inestroza (M, jr.), Brad Watson (M, jr.), Ben Fisher (G, so.). Newcomers: Delbert Martin (LSM, fr.). Noteworthy: Hassinger is the nephew of Medina boys basketball coach Chris Hassinger and was a member of the first Wadsworth middle school lacrosse team. l Erksa led the Grizzlies with 39 goals and 55 points while contributing 16 assists. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.