As someone who has already been through three full seasons with Marist Lacrosse, how do you think this fall has compared to previous ones?
This has definitely been one of the most physically demanding fall seasons I have been through, which I think is a very good thing for our team and will ultimately make us better. With the coaching change this year we weren't completely certain as to how much would change from previous years, but it has definitely been more challenging and we are going to be better prepared for the regular season as a result. We did far more running this fall than we had in previous seasons, it seemed like every day we were running at least two or three miles on top of practicing, which will no doubt carry over into the regular season and we know that our conditioning will be on par with any other team in the country.
You recently had surgery on your elbow, how has that limited your ability to practice with the team?
Well I decided to wait until the end of fall competition to get the surgery, so I was able to practice and participate in all of the scrimmages on the fall schedule with was good for me, going up against other teams that you don't practice against every day. Once the scrimmages were over, our schedule wasn't as demanding so I thought that would be a good time to get the surgery, and everything went well and I'm working my way back to full strength. I've regained my range of motion and now I am starting my physical therapy and lifting which will eventually lead to my getting back on the field and shooting and throwing.
Aside from your personal rehabilitation and physical therapy, does the team receive any specific workout schedule to follow heading into the month long winter break?
Coach Clancy (Strength and Conditioning) will give us a regimen to follow over the break, which is good because it gives us something to follow rather than just going home and doing your own thing for a month. It's all based on the honor system, so you will either do it or you won't, and based on previous years experience it's very easy to tell who works hard over break and who doesn't. I think aside from the freshman, everyone knows the demands that the spring season brings, and knows that it is in their best interest to stick to the regimen so they do not fall behind.
What are the major differences between the fall training and the month in the spring leading up to the first game?
There is a solid month between the time we get back from break to our first game, so that time is used to get in game shape and the conditioning and training are definitely taken to the next level. As we get closer to games to concentration will shift more to the X's and O's of how our team will operate and the offense and defense start to implement their sets and work on plays. That is the time where the coaches are deciding who will play and what each player's role will be on the team, so the level of competition escalates a great deal as we get closer to the games.
Does the fact that there are a number of big name teams on your schedule change the approach at all, or is the focus mainly on the conference competition?
We definitely like seeing big names like Duke and Maryland on our schedule because it not only motivates us to work harder, but it also gives us experience playing some of the best in the country which will give us confidence going into conference play. Going into the fall I know myself and the rest of the seniors all wanted to see some big time programs on our schedule, and now that it has happened we excited about the opportunity and looking forward to the challenge. Win or lose, playing teams that are ranked in the top 10 nationally is going to make us better, and I think the whole team is looking forward to taking the field with some of the best.
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