With origins that are ancient in nature, Lacrosse is a game that has evolved over the years.
The Native Americans played a predecessor to modern lacrosse on fields miles long, tossing a ball between each other with sticks that have a net attached at the end, in hopes of scoring a goal.
Today lacrosse has started to grow in popularity in the state of Wyoming and here at UW.
“This season we actually have a ton more guys.” leader of the UW club lacrosse team Reilly Davis said.
Davis, who has been playing lacrosse for ten years, is a junior at UW majoring in Animal Science.
The UW lacrosse team has their first game of the season Feb. 10 against Southern Illinois in Lincoln Nebraska. Due to the increase in players, Davis has high standards for the team this year.
“I think the big goal is playoffs,” Davis said.
And judging from the preseason they had they have a very good shot at making that happen. The UW lacrosse team only played one game this preseason against Regis Colorado and won 15-5.
Lacrosse is a sport that is violent in nature.
“It’s pretty rough, it’s fast pace, and pretty violent,” Davis said. “[But] I really like the physicality.”
Another leader of the UW lacrosse club, Raiden Todd, has played 5 years of lacrosse and loves the element of competition that lacrosse provides as he responded when asked what his favorite part of the game was.
However, the physicality involved in lacrosse is not Davis’s favorite part of the sport.
“I like just how close you become to your teammates.” Davis said.
This bond between teammates is such a priority that one of the goals Davis set for the team this season was to grow even closer as a team.
“[A team goal] is to be stronger, family wise, and get to know each other more.” Davis said.
Todd also shares this goal.
“The best part of the team is the belonging and sense of family,” Todd said. “You have friends wherever you go.”
Davis also enjoys the diversity of the team.
“Everyone is coming from a different area of study, and seeing what everyone wants to do brings us closer.” Davis said.
What Davis enjoys most about being here at the University of Wyoming is the outdoors. He even aspires to be a Fish and Game Warden upon his graduation.
“I really like the outdoorsy aspect, I think its kind of like a mountain school,” Davis said. “I want to become a Fish and Game Warden and it’s a good environment for that.”
For those of you who do not know to much about lacrosse or for those who do, Davis encourages you to go out to the games and support the UW club lacrosse team.
“Come out and support the lacrosse team because we’re new and lacrosse is a new sport in Wyoming and I think it’s fun to watch.” Davis said.
For those interested in joining the UW lacrosse team, practices are held at the Indoor Practice Field on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays.
Good luck to the UW lacrosse as they start their season and Go Pokes.
