Girls lacrosse preview: Medina, Highland out to repeat strong seasons

Coming off another Greater Cleveland Conference championship and a regional semifinal appearance, Medina is out to continue its claim as the top Medina County girls lacrosse team this spring. The competition for that title continues to grow fiercer, as Highland took major steps last season and is gearing up for the fourth year of the program. Wadsworth is also looking to take another jump after winning eight games, while Buckeye is in its second season. Finally, Brunswick is under new leadership in recent John Carroll graduate Lauren Schwartz. Here's a closer look at the county teams: Brunswick Coach: Lauren Schwartz (1st season, 0-0). Last season: 9-11, 3-2 (3rd Greater Cleveland Conference). Key letterwinner lost: Abby Karim (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Brooke Gelhar (All-Gazette, M, sr.), Ryleigh Vlcek (All-Gazette, A, sr.), Lindsey Roman (HM All-Gazette, A, jr.), Chloe Kash (HM All-Gazette, M, so.), Abbi Voller (D, sr.), Mimi Azap (D, sr.), Ella Borrasso (D, sr.), Peyton Elish (D, sr.), Svetlana Milanovic (M, jr.), Fallon O'Neill (M, jr.). Newcomers: Ella Richard (A, so.), Cam Elis (M, so.), Izzy Dalton (G, fr.), Ava Kickel (M, fr.), Sam McGuire (A, fr.). Noteworthy: Schwartz was a standout for Bay and John Carroll and a club coach before taking her first varsity coaching position with the Blue Devils. l Schwartz expects to be dynamic offensively with high lacrosse I.Q. The veteran defense is led by captain Abby Vollar. Buckeye Coach: Michael Penny (2nd season, 1-2). Last season: 1-2. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Natalie Clark (UTL, sr.), Andreea Ghise (D/M, sr.), Molly Danilovic (UTL, jr.), Jocelyn Droes (sr.), Morgan Penny (UTL, jr.), Lillian Ames (A, jr.), Hailey Baisden (M/A, jr.), Mya Galdun (Util., jr.), Grace Hatfield (A, jr.), Bianka Peters (M/A, jr.), Ella Conway (D, so.), Zoey Jarvis (G/D, so.), Faith Kappele (A, jr.), Grace Kappele (A/M, jr.), Camryn Rundle (A/M, so.). Newcomer: Leah Droes (G/D, fr.). Noteworthy: The Bucks are looking to take a big step forward in their second year after getting a late start to the approval process last season. They will play a more complete schedule of 17 games this spring. l Buckeye is still working through where to best utilize a number of players, with Michael Penny crediting their desire to do what's in the best interest of the team. Highland Coach: Todd Barnett (4th season, 21-26-1). Last season: 12-7, 5-4 (5th Suburban League). Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Vanessa Demming (All-Gazette, M, jr.), Annie Barnett (All-Gazette, M, sr.), Karli Schneider (HM All-Gazette, M, sr.), Marley Carter (G, sr.), Miley Tylicki (A, sr.), Vega Kray (D, jr.), Peyton Kouvaras (D, jr.), Kate Schneider (A, jr.), Audrey Messina (A, so.), Lily Genders (A, so.). Newcomers: Lily Pepera (G, jr.), Hadley Peterson (D, jr.), Alice Tymann (A, jr.), Ally Pepera (D, fr.), Quinn Tuori (M, fr.). Noteworthy: Highland returns eight starters. Its current senior class powered a turnaround that saw the Hornets go 12-7 last season. l Demming led the county with 78 goals and 91 points. Medina Coach: Colleen Kubasta (9th season, 100-55-1). Last season: 13-7, 5-0 (1st GCC). Key letterwinners lost: Lauren Krajzel (Gazette MVP), Julia Kraft (All-Gazette), Madilyn Van Drei (All-Gazette), Maggie O'Neill (All-Gazette), Letterwinners: Audrey Thompson (All-Gazette, M, sr.), Campbell Burns (HM All-Gazette, M, sr.), Addy Shook (D, sr.), Emma Gierhart (D, sr.), Abby Dress (A, sr.), Avery Rimke (A, sr.), Kaitlin Frimmel (A, sr.), Molly Gilbert (D, jr.), Maddy Dawson (M, jr.), Kayla Stevens (A, jr.), Deanna Hartman (D, jr.), Emma Kohler (D, so.), Cora Claypool (A, so.). Newcomers: Emerald McClellan (G, jr.), Gia Rhode (G, fr.), Paige Armstrong (A, fr.). Noteworthy: The Bees are deep with multi-sport athletes who should fill the void of a strong 2025 class, led by the first Gazette MVP, Lauren Krajzel. l Kubasta has been impressed with her team's ability to possess the ball and limit mistakes. Wadsworth Coach: Camdyn Brady (3rd season, 12-22). Last season: 8-11, 3-6 (7th SL). Key letterwinner lost: Chloe Piekarski (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Nora Love (All-Gazette, D, jr.), Addy Cyrus (HM All-Gazette, G, sr.), Paige Ross (HM All-Gazette, M, so.), Peyton Deemer (HM All-Gazette, A, jr.), Ella Swires (M, sr.), Stella Robinson (D, jr.), Ashley Fleck (A, jr.), Evangeline Sondels (D, so.), Brooke Pinkerton (D, so.), Jillian Jones (A, so.). Newcomers: Brecken Schaller (D, fr.), Addy Fela (D, so.), Danica Mudders (M, so.), Emily Kerstetter (A, so.), Zoey King (M, fr.), Kennedy Hewitt (M, fr.), Ava Hamm (A, fr.). Noteworthy: Cyrus in goal and Swires taking the draw give the Grizzlies good senior leadership at two premium positions, along with captains Love and Ross. l In Brady's second season, the Grizzlies doubled their wins from the prior spring. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.