Are you looking to participate in a new sport?

Well—lacrosse season is just around the corner!

This will be Beaver Area's second year having a lacrosse program. This past year they competed as a club sport that invited both Beaver Area boys and girls to learn lacrosse basics, but this year they are hoping to become a team and participate in the leagues around Beaver County.

The team started when some of the students in the class of ‘27 went to the athletic office to see if Beaver Area was capable of putting together a lacrosse program. The students previously played on Blackhawk’s travel team and wanted Beaver Area to create a team so they could represent their own school.

However, coaches Sam Freed and Mike Crato are hoping to schedule scrimmages against teams like Seneca Valley and North Catholic to get the team out and competing this year.

The first season lasted from March to May, and the coaches encouraged students to come out for the team even with no prior experience.

The same applies this season.

“I’m excited to actually play games against opponents this year and put my skill into action,” said senior Tyler Buzard.

Last year was a very successful first year for the program with 30 boys and 15 girls participating. With the amount of interest the students were gaining in lacrosse, the coaches were able to hold successful practices throughout the spring months.

The practices were two or three times a week and lasted about 90 minutes. Practices this year, however, will be separated between the boys and girls since they are hoping to have two teams that compete against different schools.

The coaches were throwing around the idea of having a coed team with both boys and girls. However, there is enough interest to have to separate teams based on the successful first season they had last year.

A bonus is that since the lacrosse team will compete in a league, at the end of the season players will be able to earn a varsity letter as other high school sports teams do.

So, interested in signing up but don’t know the equipment you need?

Girls need a stick of any kind, cleats (which can be any turf cleats as worn in football or soccer), a mouth guard, and goggles. A team jersey will be provided.

Boys compete at higher intensity, so it would be best to get pads for shins, knees, and elbows, a helmet instead of goggles, a stick, and a mouth guard.

Both boys and girls lacrosse games consist of four 12-minute quarters with a half time splitting them.

If you can see yourself on the lacrosse field, look for information posted on the bulletin boards around the school or sign up in the athletic office.