Lacrosse (Open Topic)

 I can't believe I've skipped this topic for so long; it's my favorite sport. Anyway, Lacrosse is often referred to as "the fastest game on two feet" and known as the fastest-growing sport in the world, well before pickleball's popularity suddenly skyrocketed. Not many people know; even those who play the sport know it originated among Native American tribes, particularly the Iroquois and Algonquin nations. For Native Americans, the game served various purposes, including settling disputes and training warriors. The first games of Lacrosse could have hundreds of players and were played on vast fields with goals placed miles apart. French missionaries in the 17th century saw the game and named it "la crosse" because of the players' unique equipment. Over time, Lacrosse evolved and gained popularity in North America, and the sport continued to grow, leading to rules and leagues. Two professional leagues exist nowadays, the MLL and PLL. The PLL was the most recently formed in 2018, created by the best player in the history of professional Lacrosse, Paul Rabil.

I got into the sport of Lacrosse through my father; he picked up the sport in college and played for Embry-Riddle and Hope College, so he put a stick in my hands at a young age. When I was in the first grade, my Dad started a youth Lacrosse program for all the 1st and 2nd-grade kids, which essentially taught us the basics of the sport, like Passing, Catching, shooting, and Ground Ball work, so I guess I can attribute most of what I know to my Dad. Throughout the years, I learned more and continued to grow. Fun fact: I played goalie in 3rd grade, which is shocking because now I play at the complete opposite end of the field. I believe it was 5th grade where I must admit I wanted to quit because I had lost interest, but I stuck around for 6th grade, where my coach switched me to the position I play today, and I had a ton of fun while trying it out. Skipping a few random years, I made it to varsity and had the most fun I've ever had playing the sport. I then decided to commit to playing Lacrosse at North Central, which is the end of my journey for now. What I've loved most about the sport is that it makes me feel tough even though I'm pretty small; everyone's reaction is always, "Isn't that the sport where you get hit with the metal sticks." Why yes, yes, it is. I've also loved playing with teammates and bonding with other people because that's what made high school lacrosse so fun, especially playing with my other senior teammates and others.

                                                (THIS IS NOT ME)