By Katie Von Behren
Staff Writer
Lacrosse usually coasts under the radar next to American football and baseball, but two Costa student athletes have dedicated their efforts to perfecting their game.
After years of training on both club and high school teams, juniors John Vansickle and Zane Crandall’s hard work paid off when they committed to play at Drexel University and Lafayette College, respectively, for collegiate lacrosse.
At just seven years old, Vansickle’s grandfather introduced him to lacrosse after being a college referee himself. Vansickle originally played as a midfielder but became a full-time goalie in sixth grade.
“I love every part of this sport, and getting to travel all over the state and country with my team is an awesome experience,” Vansickle said. “Seeing my grandpa smile knowing I’m following in his footsteps is what really motivates me to keep him happy, which makes my love for the game even stronger.”
Vansickle has played on multiple club teams including West Coast Starz, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes national team and the 3D national team. He also started as a goalie on Costa’s varsity team during his freshman year at Costa.
“Everything I have sacrificed for this sport has been worth it, especially now that I’ve been rewarded with being scouted by college teams,” Vansickle said. “I wouldn’t change anything, and I want to continue training because there’s always room to improve.”
Despite receiving multiple offers from colleges all over the country such as Syracuse University, Loyola University of Maryland and Rutgers University, Vansickle accepted a scholarship offer to play Division I lacrosse at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania next year.
“It feels great to finally be committed,” Vansickle said. “I can finally just enjoy playing without having to worry about the pressure of college coaches watching. Drexel is the perfect place for me. It offers me both the academics and athletics I was looking for in a school.”
Motivated by his opportunity to play college lacross, Crandall has dedicated a large amount of his childhood to practicing and playing lacrosse. Crandall has spent his time playing for club teams such as West Coast Starz, Brady’s Bunch and Lazers, playing as a midfielder.
“I’m so happy that my babysitter was on the Costa lacrosse team when I was little or I would have never fallen in love with this sport,” Crandall said. “This sport is awesome because it requires a combination of skill, toughness and athleticism, especially when dodging a guy one on one.”
Crandall began playing for the Costa varsity team midway through his sophomore year and is now one of the team’s captains. He received offers to play at Tufts University, Holy Cross, Colgate University, Brown University and Boston University but ultimately chose to commit to Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.
“It is a huge relief to commit, especially because I can take an easier senior year knowing exactly what Lafayette requires,” Crandall said. “It has taken a while to get here, but I am so happy that I stuck with it, and now I get to go to a school with good academics, a great lacrosse program and an awesome team to look forward to.”
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