One of the most exciting additions to Antioch’s sports program this year is the addition of the fast paced game of lacrosse. Many new athletes to the sport have picked up a stick this year and are giving it their best shot.

Second year lacrosse player, sophomore Patrick Beake joins the many players who are excited about the addition of the sport. Beake is not just a single sport athlete, he plays football along with his main sport of ice hockey. After being told about the hockey players that have had success with lacrosse, along with their main sport, he decided to try it out.

When he started off last year, Beake decided to play offense. He thought it would come natural, since in hockey that is the side of the puck he plays. After trial and error, Beake quickly flipped to the opposite side of the ball to defense. This also involved switching to a longer stick; this came easier to him because of the longer sticks that are used in hockey. After this switch, he found his place and moved his way up to the Varsity team by the end of the season.

This current season, he has stayed at the Varsity level. His team’s first game of the season is on Saturday, March 18. Beake explained how the team is looking great on both sides of the ball, and he is excited to see how they play. He believes that even though the team is made up of both Antioch and Lakes Community High School, the team has chemistry.

The district wide team consists of five Antioch athletes and the other twenty consists their rival, Lakes. For Beake specifically, playing on a team with athletes from his rival school is not as weird as it would be for some his teammates. Beake has history with some of them from middle school and from his hockey team, but also the team just has time to bond.

“It’s not that weird,” Beake said. “Once you get over the whole football thing and the big rivalry you’re on the same team together. I’ve been playing with these kids for a year now, along with other sports, so it’s not that difficult to get use to.”

The team spends much more time together this year than they have in years past as a club sport. This year as a sport run though the school, the coaching has improved, the practices are more intense, and they have more of them. The number of practices have also doubled from two practices, to six a week. This gives the team more time to bond. It also gives Beake more time to be involved in one of his favorite things about being a three sport contact athlete.

“I get to hit and slash people,” Beake said. “It’s so much fun. You get to watch the little shorties get mad at you when you hit them. They don’t like it.”

Beake said hitting is one of the parts of defense, and also something that he likes about the game. A game that he thinks needs to keep getting more recognition.

He his happy that lacrosse became a school sport and that it continues to be on the rise.

“Just keep the game going. Just keep people playing and keep people watching. It’s a great sport.” Beake said.