Raptors U15 silver division champions at USAFA
The Raptors U15 silver division champions at the USAFA tournament. Pictured from left to right front row: Justin Schwab; second row: Coach Joel Pick, Danny Zimmerle (CP), Tripp Thompson (CP), Jack Meigs (CP), Zach LaForest, William Bobby (CP), Jack Basche (CP), Jackson Wisler, Alex Fuselier (CP), Coach Randy Fuselier (CP); back row: Grant Gooding (CP), Devin Repka (CP), Joseph Hughes, Zach Breed, Co-coach Jason Breed, Kailon Parks (CP), Casten Wilks, Joseph Pick and Andrew Amayo.
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of John Basche
After an exciting regular season with six wins and one loss, the Raptors U15 lacrosse team of Coaches Joel Pick and Castle Pines resident Randy Fuselier ended their year with an undefeated run at the Colorado Lacrosse Championship at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs on June 3 and 4.
With four wins to get into the championship game, the Raptors were excited, but they knew what they needed to do to claim victory, having played their opponent the day before and winning 9-1. After a tense game and the Raptors coaches contesting questionable opponent players, the Raptors were declared the winners.
“It was a tough competition, but the team came together like they did all season and played their best,” said Fuselier. “They’re such a great group of young men, and they were awesome to coach!”
Most of the team has played together for more than four seasons, and the USAFA tournament was a bittersweet experience for players, coaches and parents. The competition signified an end to the team as they know it with the players moving on to different high schools in the fall.
Throughout the seasons, parents became friends, and the team became a family. Castle Pines resident and parent Gina Zimmerle agrees. “This team enjoys the game of lacrosse and always gives it their best on and off the field. As a mom and fan, it was a pleasure to watch them get better every game they played.”
Players echoed Zimmerle’s thoughts, including William Bobby of Castle Pines, who said, “I’ve loved playing on Coach Pick’s team for the last two years. The coaches taught me so much, and my teammates were great. We always had fun on and off the field. Winning the Colorado Lacrosse Championship was an awesome way to end our season.”
