Re-LAX in Maryland this Summer

If you have ever questioned why lacrosse is Maryland’s official team sport, then look no further than the next couple weekends.  Three prominent national tournaments are being played in Maryland over the next two weeks: the National Lacrosse Classic, the Under Armour All-America Classic and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Atlantic Cup.

The National Lacrosse Classic will take place at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds starting this Friday and running through July 8. The National Lacrosse Classic will feature the top players and coaches selected to represent their region at the showcase event.  The Classic is designed to help players and coaches prepare for and transition to the next level.  This year features high school and middle school boys and girls divisions.  Teams and players will travel from all regions of the country, including the West Coast and Northwest.

The newly-added middle school divisions will be comprised of the top 25 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders from each region.  Those kids will take part in the National Lacrosse Academy which runs July 1 – 4. The High School National Games for both boys and girls will be held July 5 – 8.  The winning teams from both tournaments will be crowned the National Champion and represent the USA at the Brogden Cup, a best-of-three series against the Canadian National Champions held in January 2012.

Also beginning this Friday is the Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic held at Johnny Unitas Stadium on the campus of Towson University.  The All-America Lacrosse Classic runs through Sunday.  It is comprised of the Underclassmen Games and the featured All-America Classic. Pool play for the Underclassmen Games begins on Friday with semifinals and championship games being played on Sunday.  The games are open to high school students who have already completed their freshman, sophomore or junior year.  The players will come from ten regions around the nation: Baltimore, Long Island (NY), Upstate New York, Midwest, Philadelphia, New England, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and the newly added South and West.

The underclassmen participants in the All-America Classic have the advantage of being exposed to the selection committee for the Under Armour All-America team, which they will be eligible for once they are seniors.  This is a great opportunity for underclassmen to showcase their talent for scouts. College coaches from all levels have been present for the regional tryouts and are invited to the games this weekend.

The main event is the UA All-America Classic games. The girls’ game starts at 4pm on Saturday, followed by the boys’ game at 8pm.  Both games will feature 44 elite high school seniors, split into two teams. One team represents the South, the other team the North.  The boys’ game will be televised on ESPNU. Another win for the state is the University of Maryland men’s lacrosse program leads the nation with six of its incoming recruits earning All-America honors and playing in the game.

And if you don’t get your lacrosse fix this weekend, the following weekend the Dick’s Sporting Goods Atlantic Cup comes to Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg.  This tournament is for under-11, under-13, under-15, Rising Stars and High School Elite boys’ teams.  Top finishers in the U11, U13, U15, Rising Stars and Elite divisions will receive bids to compete in the national championship.  This tournament is an official qualifier for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions in Wesley Chapel, FL on December 30^th – January 1^st.

After a busy May filled with NCAA Lacrosse, from regionals to the Championships, the state gets a glimpse at the future stars of the game this coming month. So if you happen to see droves of kids with lacrosse sticks wandering around town, now you know why.