Boys lacrosse preview: Medina, Highland look to lead area teams again

It's looking like another standout season for Medina County's four boys lacrosse teams. Medina and Highland had standout records last spring, with the Hornets winning the Suburban League and the Bees finishing second in the Greater Cleveland Conference. Both teams won 13 games to lead the county. Brunswick and Wadsworth are also ripe with experience that knows what it takes to win. Conference titles and postseason success are the goals as they begin 2026. Here's a closer look at the county teams: Brunswick Coach: Jerry Golod (5th season, 37-38 record). Last season: 8-9, 1-3 (4th Greater Cleveland Conference). Key letterwinner lost: Brian Hill (All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Charlie Vlcek (All-Gazette, G, sr.), Carson Updike (HM All-Gazette, M, sr.), Liam Werner (HM All-Gazette, A, sr.), Ajay Rebraca (HM All-Gazette, D, jr.), Myles Hansel (M, sr.), Sam D'Attoma (D, sr.), Logan Earley (A, sr.), Parker Bates (M, jr.), Vinnie Coven (A, jr.). Newcomers: Ian Boone (G, fr.), Josh Syrowski (D, so.), Trent Podsiadlo (D, so.), Anthony Mendise (M, so.), Zack Dobriansky (A, jr.). Noteworthy: Captain D'Attoma, along with goalie Vlcek, head a defensive unit that should drive the Blue Devils. l The loss of leading scorer Hill will be filled by a more diverse offensive attack. Highland Coach: Nate Howard (4th season, 37-14). Last season: 13-3, 8-0 (1st Suburban League). Key letterwinners lost: Dillon Buran (Gazette MVP), Luke Berkmeyer (All-Gazette), Colton Foust (All-Gazette), Matthew Steinmetz (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Eli Howard (All-Gazette, M, sr.), Josh Messina (HM All-Gazette, D, sr.), Henry Trausch (HM All-Gazette, A, sr.), Ryan Zahir (D, sr.), Oliver Schorr (M, sr.), Jon Tanski (M, sr.), Tommy Fearn (D, sr.), Brock Leatherman (M, sr.), Justin Weaver (D, jr.), Ryan Thompson (A, jr.), Nate Boyce (M, jr.), Tyler Brown (G, jr.), Josh Pavlock (D, jr.), Andrew Luipold (M, so.), Beckett Mast (M, so.). Newcomers: Zeke Pelland (M, so.), Josh DeSimone (G, so.), Jay Fearn (M, so.), Wyatt Linger (M, so.), Matt Merhar (D, so.), Logan Mrksich (A, so.), Vince Idrovo (M/G, so.), Ethan Keough (M, so.), Dario Pallante (D/M, so.), Brennan Lacy (M, so.), Liam Kildoo (A, fr.),Peter Denee (A, fr.), Davis Aossey (M, fr.), Nick DeSimone (D, fr.), Caleb Lever (M, fr.), Hunter Holub (D, fr.), Kegan Flack (M, fr.), Beau Wasmer (M, fr.), Jon Ross (M, fr.), Trevor Kubal (D, fr.). Noteworthy: The Hornets are being led by a strong defensive unit that includes honorable mention All-Gazette choice Messina, who was a first-team All-Gazette choice in football. l Offensively, Highland will see players take on expanding roles after the graduation of a number of leading scorers, including 2025 MVP Buran. How quickly they can adapt may go a long way to determining how fast the Hornets can start. Medina Coach: Jake Kubasta (11th season, 107-69) Last season: 13-5, 3-1 (2nd, GCC) Key letterwinners lost: Alan Grimsic (All-Gazette), Cam Miller (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Evan Ryba (All-Gazette, D, sr.), Johnny Nunn (HM All-Gazette, LSM, sr.), Caleb Miller (HM All-Gazette, M, jr.), Lach Talley (A, sr.), Will Ivey (A, sr.), Austin Scott (A, sr.), Coby Miladinovic (G, sr.), Jonah Gorman (G, sr.), Lance Webb (LSM, sr.), Alex Whittier (D, sr.), Landon Kinsey (M, sr.), Michael Miladinovic (M, sr.), Marshall Owings (D, jr.), Chase McCurdy (M/A, jr.), Tyler Wilson (M/D, sr.). Newcomers: Caleb Sherman (M, sr.), Dominic Marsala (G, jr.), Brady Vein (D, jr.), Bryson Hoffman (A, fr.). Noteworthy: Medina kicked off the season with a 19-9 win over Painesville Riverside. l The Bees are looking to start the season fast with an experienced group that put in the time in the offseason. Wadsworth Coach: Nick Hassinger (2nd season, 11-7) Last season: 11-7, 6-2 (3rd SL) Key letterwinners lost: Jackson Erksa (All-Gazette), Cam Croley (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Preston Davis (All-Gazette, A, sr.), Zack Kiko (G, sr.), Jordan Jones (D, sr.), Brad Watson (M, sr.), Eddie Gale (D, sr.), Caden Barsted (M, sr.), Jack Welch (M, sr.), Jacob Kimbel (M, jr.), Deacon Johnson (A, sr.), Ryker Fickey (D, jr.), Aiden Meisterics (D, jr.), Drew Richardson (LSM, jr.), Brayden Sterpka (M, so.), Declan King (D, so.), Delbert Martin (LSM, so.), Coghan Wilson (M, so.), P.J. Medges (M, so.), Owen Anderson (A, so.), Brayden Todd (A, so.), Wes Rains (M, so.). Newcomers: None. Noteworthy: Wadsworth opened the season with its first win over Wooster since March 25, 2021, a 6-5 non-league decision. l Health will be a key factor for the Grizzlies, as a handful of players are dealing with injuries right now. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.