Smithsburg Leopards 2024 Senior Lacrosse players

I got to work with the seniors on the Smithsburg High School Boys Lacrosse team for a little sportraits session to celebrate their senior year on the team. I must admit I have photographed several lacrosse players now but I still haven’t ever watched a lacrosse game :S (I know, I know… it’s on my list!) To get to know the group a little bit I hit up one of their biggest fans and got a little back story. Before high school most of them have been playing for Smithsburg Youth Lacrosse and other club teams since early elementary school or middle school. #24 Zak Von Garrel and #8 Joey Ryan started with SYLC when they were just 5 years old! Incase you weren’t aware, the team they have all been a part of has been playing very well. Not only so far this season, but they also have a history of victories. They won the Regional Championship in 2021,’22,’23 and Maryland Class 1A Boys Lacrosse State Finals in 2021 and State Semifinals 2022 and 2023. The guys gained a new face on the roster, #13 Isaac Rhoderick who transferred to Smithsburg High School this year. I personally liken Isaac to sort of a lacrosse version of Ted Lasso’s Dani Rojas. A newcomer to the team (but in no way a newcomer to the game), a talented athlete, who is incredibly enthusiastic about the sport and fits right in with his teammates. The guys were great to work with and I could tell they were good friends off the field as well. Enjoy some of their answers to a few interview questions I asked and of course a peek at their session. Garret Mazenko #23, Bruce Reynolds#11, Isaac Rhoderick #13, Zak Von Garrel, #17 Ashton Redman, #8 Joey Ryan, #5 Josh Kalons

How long have you played the sport?

#5 - 6 years

#8 - 9 years

#11 - 14 years

#13 - 12 years

#17 - 7 years

#24 - 10 years

If the team had a theme song what would it be?

#5 Dog Talk

#8, #17, #11 Love Sosa - Chief Keef

#13 I Shot the Sherif-Bob Marley

What’s your pregame ritual?

#5 Listen to music

#8 Listen to music to lock in

#11 Prayer

#13 Get my wrist tape and write my grandma’s name on it and throw up.

#17 Listen to Flashing Lights - Kanye West

#24 Listen to Could You Be Loved- Bob Marley and the Wailers

Who is the team’s biggest fan?

#5 The moms

#8 All of our parents

#11 Melinda, Rachel, and Pam

#13 Art Rhoderick

#17 Xaiver Douge

#24 The parents

Who is your biggest fan?

#5 My family and girlfriend

#8 My Parents

#11 My parents

#13 My grandma

#17 Pamela Stotler

#24 My mom

Will you continue to play the sport in some capacity after high school?

#5 For fun.

#8 I’ll play pick up games.

#13 Yes - Frostburg State University Bobcats

#24 Yes - Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears

If you could form your own lacrosse team what would you name it?

#5 Lax dawgs

#8 Maryland wolverines

#11 Cool Cats

#13 The Italians

#17 Smithsburg Dragons

Do you have any nicknames given to you by your teammates?

#5 J Rob

#11 Wrinkle

#13 Roddy and Izee

#24 Great Wall

What is your favorite memory so far playing for your team?

#5 Coach Evan’s speeches after practices.

#8 Eating at restaurants after games.

#11 Winning.

#13 Scoring my 200th point.

#17 Making the state final my freshman year.

#24 Buffalo Wild Wings afer wins.

You’re more than just sports- what do you like to do when you have free time?

#5 Fish and golf.

#8 Going to the beach to surf.

#11 Going to the gym, and photography.

#13 Take photos and golf.

#17 Hangout and do Madden tournaments with my friends.

#24 Hangout with my family, friends, and girlfriend Liv.