By Brett Hughes, Senior Editor

As promised our stars from top to bottom share with you the shoes you'll want to look into. I personally must say shoes are about as important as anything in sports, so take time, get what fits best, just make sure you get a good pair. And as far as style, well thats all on you. Send us a link to your favorite pair to me here. Email:Brett Hughes

Brendan Mundorf
Denver Outlaws/Team USA/ UMBC Alum
A: Classic Timberland work boots, great to just kick around.
 
Connor English
Unviersity of Virginia
A: Favorite pair of shoes has to my lime green high dunks
 
Frank Price
Holy Springs, NC.
UVA
A: My favorite pair of shoes by far are my combat boots.  Comfortable and reliable, cant beat em.
 

Quinn Haley
Queen Anne's, MD.
Maryland
A: My go to shoes for the last few years were hardly shoes, SANUK light canvas slip-ons.
 
 
Jake Haley
Queen Anne's
Georgetown
A: My favorite pair of shoes are probably my brown reefs I've had since freshman year.
(too hard to call on athletic shoes)
 
John Urbank
Chaminnade
Georgetown
A: I am a flip flop guy when it comes to shoes. My favorite pair of flip-flops is Sanuks. They're made in like Hawaii or somewhere. Really comfy.
 
Tyler German
Midfield
UVA
1.My grandparents own a condo in Ocean City, so our usual vacation spot is staying there for a few weeks in the summer.

2. My favorite pair of shoes ever... um I'm gonna have to go with my red, white and blue Gilbert Arenas shoes that I had my best basketball game in.
 
Bruce Pirie
Indian Hills, N.Y.
Bryant
A: My favorite pair of shoes ever were skate shoes. Brown/ tan high top IPath Grasshopper's. If they still made them I'd have 10 pair in all colors.
 
Mark Brashears
Broadneck Highschool, MD
Undecided
A: Clarks Wallabees

Tanner Ottenbreit
Regis, CO.
UVA
A: My favorite pair of shoes are the Charles Barkley Series Air Force Ones (White/Blue)
 
Pete Rosetti
Collegiate, VA.
Georgetown
A: White Nike Air Force Ones... not even debatable there.
 
Tobey Armour
Choate Rosmary Hall, CT.
Johns Hopkins
A: Favorite shoes would have to be all black Nike air max...greatest shoes ever
 
Jack Reilly
Christian Brothers Academy, N.Y.
Johns Hopkins
A: Favorite pair of shoes ever - certainly not this ortho boot I'm in right now but when I was about 5 or 6 I had a rocking pair of sneakers with flashing lights in the heels - they were mad cool - wish they had those in size 16's.  
 
Zach Rogers
Palos Verdes, CA.
Providence
2. My favorite pair of shoes are my green Vans
 
John Hardesty
Upper Arlington, OH.
Ohio State
A: Nike Pumps
 
Paul Harrison
Dematha
Drexel
A: Probably this pair of Nike Dunk SB's that are hemp that I got from Journeys, they are pretty nasty.
 
Josh Matanin
St. Paul's MD.
Undecided
A: The best pair of shoes I have ever had are the Nike Hyperdunks.  They are really comfy and they're really light.  I like the way they look and I can wear them on the basketball court as well.

By Brett Hughes, Senor Editor

It was a good Halloween weekend of lacrosse at the Hawaii Invitational with great pictures and costumes coming back from the Islands.
 
This week we asked some of our past and present RISE UP BOYS and pro laxers about their own get-away favs, and in part two tomorrow we ask their favorite shoes to kick it in. With the weather starting to get cold and grey we asked our boys where they love to go and relax… everything from campfires to the Bahamas, our boys have their own ways to unwind.
 
We also welcome in a newcomer to the ER Lax blog, UMBC alum, current MLL star and recent TEAM USA selection Brendan Mundorf. The Mundorf has steadily made himself one of the top attackman in the world and continues to get better every year.  This summer will be one of the keys to team USA reclaiming the world title from Canada.
 
We also welcome back an original RISE UP BOY, Connor English. The Long Island star ended with a bang claiming MVP honors. He hasn't skipped a beat posting a five goal and one assist scrimmage earlier this fall for the Virginia Cavaliers. Connor will be fighting for a starting spot as a freshman for the Cavaliers joining good company, who did the same before him, Conor Gill, Steele Stanwick, Matt Ward, John Christmas, Danny Glading, to name a few.
 
Brendan Mundorf
Denver Outlaws
1.  I love to hang out outside.  Any bar/restaurant with an open air feel or large patio is awesome.

Connor English
Unviersity of Virginia
1.Favorite vacation spot def has to be Bermuda, its so nice their and my spot around town to relax is the turf I just go up and shoot and it calms me down

Frank Price
Holy Springs, NC.
UVA
1. Not really one spot, but I love hanging around a bonfire.

Quinn Haley
Queen Anne's, MD.
Maryland
1.We do big family vacations with all our cousins on the southern tip of Hatteras Island, NC where the land is so skinny you can see water all around you, and no big crowds so you can get a little crazy and enjoy the nice surf or takeover the beach with an epic ultimate frisbee game.
   
Jake Haley
Queen Anne's
Georgetown
1.  For a regular hangout, I like Greenwood Creek - just off of Eastern Bay -  with a great atmosphere for swimming, crabbing, fishing, and water sports, or just chillin on a pier.    
 
John Urbank
Chaminnade
Georgetown
1. My favorite vacation spot is probably Cape Cod. My aunt has a house out there right on the beach. Also the seafood is awesome.
   
Tyler German
Midfield
UVA
1.My grandparents own a condo in Ocean City, so our usual vacation spot is staying there for a few weeks in the summer.

Bruce Pirie
Indian Hills, N.Y.
Bryant
1. My Vacation spot is Beach Haven Long Beach Island. It's the REAL Jersey Shore, not that slimy seaside...I mean seaside that people typically think of. It's a beautiful, calm island my family has been going to for over 40 years, and if you asked anyone from my family where their favorite place to relax is, it would be Ramapo Lane Beach Haven, LBI.
 
Mark Brashears
Broadneck Highschool, MD
Undecided
1. My favorite place to vacation would definitely be the Bahamas. All the people were so chill and relaxed and the beaches and water are so nice.

Tanner Ottenbreit
Regis, CO.
UVA
1. No favorite vacation spot but I love going up to Vail in the summer time to just relax with friends and family and play some lacrosse.
 
Pete Rosetti
Collegiate, VA.
Georgetown
1. I would have to say that my favorite vacation spot is Duck Village on the Outer-Banks of North Carolina and my favorite place to relax in town has to my basement.

Tobey Armour
Choate Rosmary Hall, CT.
Johns Hopkins
1. Block Island...go there in the summer...chillest spot ever.
 
Jack Reilly
Christian Brothers Academy, N.Y.
Johns Hopkins
1. Favorite place to vacation/relax - I enjoy chillin on the beach in Chatham, MA every August.
 
Zach Rogers
Palos Verdes, CA.
Providence
1. My favorite vacation spot is Kaanapali Beach on Maui because of the great
weather and pristine water.  Shaved ice at Whalers Village is super legit.
 
John Hardesty
Upper Arlington, OH.
Ohio State
1. Cruisin' anywhere in the Caribbean!
 
Paul Harrison
Dematha
Drexel
1. About every year my family and some family friends go down to Corolla Light in the Outer Banks for a week, there are some sick houses down there right by the beach and there is a pool and different types of shops right there in the main complex... Its a pretty chill place.

Josh Matanin
St. Paul's MD.
Undecided
1. My favorite vacation spot is Deep Creek Lake.  When I'm there, I don't have to worry about anything.  I can just relax and get away from the world.  At the same time there is so much to do.  I could go out on the lake or I could go up into the mountains.  I could have a bonfire with friends or just sit back and watch a movie. Deep Creek Lake is just a great way to get away and relax.

What do you want to ask our RISE UP BOYS Email me Brett Hughes.

Welcome back to the RISE UP BOYS, fall is underway and some of our boys have moved on to college and are enjoying fall all workouts and preparing for spring lacrosse. We have added some new faces from all over the country to our team and every week will have one of our MLL All Stars check in and answer the same questions as our boys on the RISE. In week one we have Kyle Harrison, the Face of STX and NIKE Lacrosse, owner of Playmaker Lacrosse, and lead counselor on the Nike Elite Lacrosse Camps by ESPN RISE. He is on the road all the time with USA tryouts and promoting his new K18 line so our questions are perfect for the Johns Hopkins legend.

	ESPN RISE
	Kyle Harrison

Patrick Harbeson (Annapolis, MD)
DeMatha Catholic High School
UVA
Midfield

What are you doing this fall?
This fall I am playing football... our team is 6-0 and working hard for the best season possible. As of right now, our team is ranked 10th in the nation according to ESPN RISE FAB 50. We have a common goal of winning our league championship (WCAC), and if possible going undefeated. This is only possible through hard work, becuase we play in one of the toughest leages which 'anyone can beat anyone'. Personally this season has been a blast, it's my senior season and it has been fun playing for a team that has so much potential. Aside from football this fall, I am alsoworking on sharpening my stick skills and mentally preparing myself for the offseason and ultimatly the spring season.

Ipod Top 5
No Particular order
1. We Be Steady Mobbin', Lil Wayne ft. Gucci Man
2. Almost Famous, Young Berg
3. Mary's Song, (Oh My My My), Taylor Swift
4. Imma Star, Jeremiah
5. Congratulations, Drake

Frank Price (Holly Springs, NC)
Holly Springs HS
UVA
LSM/D

What's going on this Fall?
This fall I've been working out at a cross fit gym four times a week, speed and agility training twice a week, hand to hand combat classes twice a week and my travel lacrosse team just started practice
 
iPod Top 5:
1. Big Green Tractor- Jason Aldean
2. Gettin you home- Chris Young
3. Jokerman- Bob Dylan
4. Born in the USA- Bruce Springsteen
5. Bartender- Rehab

Quinn Haley (Grasonville, MD)
Queen Anne's
Maryland
Attack

Whats going on this fall?
Just Football!

iPod Top 5
It's always changing, but for now I'd say
1. Chiddy bang, Kids remix
2. Kid Cudi, Up up an away
3. Super Mash Bros, I Bleed Purple and Gold
4. Matt and Kim, Daylight
5. Ray Barbee, Find Enjoyment
If am getting pumped up I like stuff like the Gladiator theme music they played at Sean taylor's tribute, and if there's dancing going on, I like all the Super Mash Bros.

Paul Harrison (Silver Spring, Maryland)
DeMatha Catholic High School
Drexel University
Defense/ LSM
 
Whats going on this Fall?
We are doing a lot of work this fall with DeMatha, lifting 3 times a week as a team and getting in stick work and 6 vs 6 practices once to twice a week. I am also playing in a  fall league with most of the DeMatha guys which is full games every Sunday. Once November starts I will be playing in tournaments with DeMatha and my club team Blackwolf.

Ipod Top 5:
1. Californication- Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. Young Forever- Jay- Z
3. That Was a Crazy Game of Poker- O.A.R.
4. Wonderwall- Oasis
5. 'Till I Collapse- Eminem

Josh Matanin (Ellicott City, MD)
St. Pauls School for Boys
Undecided: I have visited UNC, Duke, Georgetown, Navy, Towson, and plan on looking into many more. So I do not have a List of Top Schools yet.
Defense/ LSM

What's going on this fall?
I am training every day to gain an advantage on the field.

Ipod Top 5:
1. Remember the Name- Fort Minor
2. Are You Gonna be my Girl- Jet
3. Headstrong- Trapt
4. Till I Collapse- Eminem
5. By the Way- Red Hot Chili Peppers

John Muti (Mountain Lakes, NJ)
Mountain Lakes
Navy
Goalie

What's going on this fall?
I am playing football for the Mountain Lakes Herd. We are having another successful year with an 5-0 start.

Ipod Top 5:
1. Say Yeah- Wiz Khalifa,   
2. Gangsta- Maino,   
3. Bubble Toes -Jack Johnson
4. Somewhere Over the Rainbow- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole    
5. Make Her Say- Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West and Common

Jake Haley (Grasonville, MD)
Queen Anne's
Georgetown University
Goalie

What are you doing this fall?
Football! Queen Anne's is 6-0 and looking for a 2A state championship after making it to the semis last season.

iPod Top 5
1. Living the Dream, Super Smash Bros
2. Kids MGMT Remix, Chiddy Bang
3. Young Forever, Jay Z
4. Skinny Love, Bon Iver
5. Mr. Pitful, Matt Costa

Mark Brashears (Annapolis, MD)
Broadneck High School
Undecided
Midfield

What's going on this fall?
I am on the Golf team and working out!

Ipod Top 5:
1. Juicy- Notorious B.I.G.
2. Young Forever- Jay Z
3. Hello Seattle- Owl City
4. Congratulations- Drake
5. Drop- East Clubbers
 
Kodie Englehart (Coronado, CA)
Coronado High School
Vermont
Midfield

What are you doing this fall?
I am QB for our Islander Football Team and playing Indoor Lacrosse on Saturdays

Ipod Top 5: 
1. Can't Be Touched -Roy Jones Jr.
2. I Rock Skinnines, Fresh Boyz
3. Ambitions As A Ridah -Tupac
4. Man I Miss My Dawgs -Lil Wayne
5. Let Me Clear My Throat -DJ Kool

Michael Ehrhardt (Westbury, NY)
Chaminade High School
Maryland
Defense

What are you doing this fall?
I am playing wide receiver for Chaminade's Football team.  
 
iPod Top 5:
1. Replay-Sean  Kingston
2. Glory Road- Bruce
3. All the Above- Maino
4. Time to Pretend- MGMT
5. You Belong With Me- Taylor Swift

Craig "Goodie” Goodermote (Holtsville, New York)
Sachem East High School
Marist
Goalie

	ESPN RISE
	Zach Rogers

Posted by ESPN RISE STAFF 

Long Island, NY – The Nike Elite Lacrosse Camp (NELC) came back to Long Island for the second year in a row.  With Long Island being well known for some of the Nation's best High School Lacrosse, the staff was anxious to see the top players in the area.  Not only does the staff want to observe the young laxer's stick skills they are also interested in observing their athleticism.  NELC allows for the laxers to showcase their athletic talents as well as their lax skills within the high paced 4 hour camp.  As Max Seibald, the current Tewaaraton Award winner says, "To be a high level Lacrosse player today, you can't get away with just being a wizard with the stick, you need to be an athlete.  I credit the work I put forth in my training to having a huge impact on my career.”  NELC is able to include this into this unique camp because they bring with them Chris and Doug Gizzi from Zone Ready, a top shelf performance training company.

Here are the top 3 "Lax-letes” who caught the staff's attention with their tremendous athletic skills:

#1. Jack Reilly receives the top athlete award.  Even with an impressive frame and build, Jack moves with the fluidity of a basketball player.  His feet are quick and efficient to place his body in a position to win.  As Doug Gizzi, from Zone Ready said, "His feet are constantly getting back to the ground, it makes a swoosh sound as he moves.”

#2. Craig Goodermote – YES!  Goalies can be athletes too.  This guy has freakish hand speed and lower extremity dexterity.  He gets his body in front of the ball more often than not because of his superb starting speed.  ESPN Riser's Brett Hughes has been quoted, "I believe Craig may have an extra arm and/or leg.  But until officials rule extra appendages illegal, he can still play with the other kids.  Best goalie I've seen this year!”

#3. Alonzo Holcombe is very twitchy and has great recovery speed.  It's like he is reeling someone in when he gives chase.  Awesome shakes and the perseverance to match.  As Chris Gizzi, from Zone Ready said, "Alonzo is like a box of dynamite, when he goes off you swear you heard an explosion.” 

By Brett Hughes

Prior to the weekends games, I had reached out to certian RISE UP BOYS and asked them to write me a letter about what they had learned over the weekend as students of the firstround of the NCAA tournament. It could be about a player, a team, or a common trend they picked up on througout the weekend. These boys will always view the game as entertainment, but I wanted them to actively take a moment and view the game as if they were getting ready for a test... A four year test of lacrosse I.Q. and ability to learn the college game.  All the boys had a great time with it and I was so impressed with what they came back with.

One of the future Quarterbacks of the NCAA Matt White and I had talked prior to the games and I just knew this kid was going to come up with something right on the money. To be the conductor of Ridgefield High School in Conn. and a future leader of the Virginia Cavaliers high powered offense, I expected Matt to "get it" this weekend. He did, picking up on things that do not pertain to his position, but he is right on the money with his observations about the total game.

Brett,

From watching the games this weekend, i think the thing that really stuck out the most to to me was the importance of goalie play in the NCAA tournament.  It's obvious that nobody is a dud in the net playing for these teams, but for instance in the UVA vs. Nova game the nova goalie wasn't really in a good groove facing those shooters from Virginia.  Same thing wth the Duke v. Navy game.  Another key thing that i payed attention to was faceoffs.  Carolina, UVA, and Hopkins all looked like they had a great advantage in that spot with Walterhoefer, Gaudet and Dolente winning lots of draws for their respective teams.
 

Two things you will see consistently are coaches and analysts talking about  the importance of exactly that in the playoffs. when everyone is on an even playing field, the X-Factors come up huge.

By Brett Hughes

Gatorade, G2, Vitamin Water, Powerade, or maybe even H2o, This week we asked the boys to weigh in on what sport drink the prefer, and also what is the best sports commercial of all time. You tube some of these to get a laugh or remember some of the best. 

I went back and looked into te ESPN archive and found what readers have said over the years. You can compare these guys to what we at ESPN have decided are the best sports commercials of all time.

Check out the ESPN top 25 commercials. 

 Quinn Haley: Queen Annes' (MD.)

1. During games I stick with pure H2o, after games I like either Vitamin Water Revive or G2..
2. The Terry Tate Office Linebacker commercials are the best.. I like the one where he crushes the guy for not refilling the coffee machine.."you kill the joe, you make some mo..!! whooaaaa!!!!"

Chris Lapierre: Shawnee, (N.J.)

1. No Question... Gatorade,
2. Best sports commercial is the one played during last year's Masters of Earl Woods explaining why Tiger is the best golfer in the world.  

Tobey Armour: Choate Rosemary Hall, (Conn.)

1. Vitamin water....love it. 
2. Best sports commercial ever was the one aired during the '98 world cup.  had the brazilian team playing soccer through the airport.  so great.

Criag Goodermote: Sachem, (N.Y.)

1. Vitamin water. My school just put in brand new machines with them in. Cant
go a day without my XXX or formula 50 drink.
2. The Nike "Fate" commercial with LT and Polamalu has to be on eof the best.

Jake Haley: Queen Annes', (MD.)

1. Vitamin Water - Revive goes quickest in my house, but like to have an Energy before and during games.
2. LT and Troy Polamalu "Leave Nothing" commercial shows them growing up from kids to pros, then facing eachother.

John Muti: Mtn. Lakes, (N.J.)

1.Gatorade without a doubt.
2. The "chicks dig the long a ball"; commercial with John Glavine and Greg Maddux.

Stay tuned for more from our future stars.

By Brett Hughes

ESPN RISE and the RISE UP BOYS check back in with a new topic. What is the best book our boys have ever read? The guys have a wide range of books from athletic, military, and some of the more legendary novels...

A big congratulations to our RISE UP BOYS as some have made the UA All Star game and others enjoying their best seasons yet. Stay tuned for more.

Michael Morris: Deerfield (Deerfield, CT)
One of my favorite books I ever read was the net force by Tom Clancy. I read it a while ago and I read it again recently and still found the concept of futuristic Internet intriguing.

Tyler Knarr: LaSalle (Eagleville, PA)
Definitely has to be To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  I've read it a couple times and every time it impresses me more.  It's a brilliantly written novel about an unjust trial, but it's really about so much more than just the trial. It carries some great messages.

Craig Goodermote: Sachem East ( Holtsville, N.Y.)
The best book that I have read so for has to be The Great Gatsby. Its
Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The book takes place on Long Island during
"The Jazz Age" and the Roaring Twenties.

Luke Armour: Lawrencville (Lawrencville, N.J.)
My favorite book of all time is called "It's Not About the Bike" by Lance Armstrong - it's about Armstrong's battle with cancer and his attitude throughout his devastating series of treatments and procedures. He fought back to win several Tour de France races. Inspiring for everyone.

Jake Haley: Queen Annes' (Centerville, MD.)
The best book I have read is The Inner Game of Tennis by Tim Gallwey, which was recommended to me by Coach Tierney on a visit to Princeton last fall.  It's not so much about tennis (which I've hardly ever played), but more about the power of the mind dealing with focusing and challenging situations... Basically teaching athletes how to clear out their minds and focus on the task at hand, letting their instincts take control... Pretty cool for goalies..

Marcus Holman: Gilman (Baltimore, MD.)
Marcus Luttrell's book Lone Survivor is the best I have ever read. It's about this team of Navy SEAL's that are ambushed in the mountains of Afghanistan, and Marcus is the only one who survives.  I couldn't put it down.

Quinn Haley: Queen Annes' (Centerville, MD.)
Friday Night Lights is my kind of book, but I have to say The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho got to me the most.  It's about a boy being brave enough to follow his dream in a spiritual journey across the desert.

Connor English: Manhasset (Manhasset, N.Y.)
The best book I have read is A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah.  It's a story of a of child becoming an child solider by force and his life story of what he went through and how his life takes a turn for better.
 

By Brett Hughes

RISE UP BOYS back again with Super Bowl predictions and some of the music our players are listining to.  The guys have pretty good mix of music so I may have to make an iTunes mix of it and see how it sells. From Weezy to The Allman Brothers… Slightly Stupid and back to the Temptations.  This might be a chance to make the all time warm up mix for our viewers.

	Goodermote Family
	Craig Goodermote.

Steelers Win… MVP- I'm thinking Big Ben but I'm pulling for Troy Polamalu.

Frank Price II: Holly Springs (Holly Springs, NC.)

Top 5 songs:

1) Some Devil- Dave Matthews

2) Move if you wann- MIMS

3) Its the Final countdown- Europe

4) Put on- Young Jeezy

5) Bama Breeze- Jimmy Buffet

Even though I don't want them to win, I think the Steelers are going to win.  And Ben Roethlisberger will be the MVP.  Hopefully I am wrong.

Will Campbell: Worthington Kilbourne (Worthington, OH.)

Top 5 songs:

1)    Ramblin' Man- Allman Brothers Band

2)    Blue Sky- Allman Brothers Band

3)    Black Water- Doobie Brothers

4)    Free Bird- Lynard Skynard

5)    Enter Sandman- Metallica

I'm predicting the Cardinals will win by the slimmest of margins.  Plus I'm a Browns fan so it's a sin to root for the Steelers.  Although many people think Larry Fitzgerald will be MVP, I personally believe Kurt Warner will win it.  The receiver can't catch the ball if the quarterback can't throw it to him.
 
Tyler Knarr: La Salle (Eagleville, PA.)

I've always listened to pretty Indie music so a lot of these songs aren't that famous with the exception of a couple. The top five songs on my ipod right now are:

1) I was a lid (by Manchester Orchestra...they're not an orchestra)

2) Luca (by Brand New)

3) Gimme the Loot (by Biggie Smalls)

4) Wolves at Night (by Manchester Orchestra)

5) In Fear and Faith (by Circa Survive)

Superbowl pick is the Steelers, Mvp Roethlisberger.

Connor English: Manhasset (Manhasset, NY.)

Top 5 songs in no order are :

1) Rock Star by Lil wayne ft Chamillionaire

2) Walk it out remix by unk

3) X gonna give it to ya by DMX

4) Hypnotize by B.I.G.

5) Krazy by Pitbull ft. lil jon

I predict that the cards win it al,l with my boy Fitzgerald as the MVP.

John Muti:  Mt. Lakes (My. Lakes, NJ.)

The top 5 songs on my ipod at the moment are:

1)Say Yeah by. Wiz Khalifa

2) Boyz N Da Hood by. Eazy E

3) I Love College by. Asher Roth

4) B.O.B by. Outkast

5) Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations.

And the Arizona Cardinals will win the Super Bowl with Anquan Boldin as the MVP.
 

Check back in next week for some more RISE UP BOYS, if you have a question send an email to brett@student sports.com.

By Brett Hughes

Under Armour will now have players from Upstate NY, Long Island, New England, and the Midwest playing in the Under Armour underclass all star games. They will join Baltimore, Washington D.D., Philadelphia, and New Jersey in the games.

The games will be held on June 27th and 28th at Towson University in Baltimore Maryland. Inside Lacrosse has more on the event here.

By Brett Hughes

Continuing with the theme of getting ready for spring, we asked the boys how they prep for a game in the kitchen. As a former high school and college player I must say that some of these boys are pretty lucky they can eat the way they do before a game. A college coach of mine once told me he would eat as many egg McMuffins as he could: 

"the number of McMuffins I put down would be the number of goals I would have... but remember Brett, nutrition is different now than it was 15 years ago."  -Chris Colbek

Seems that some of our boys subscribe to the same nutrition plan as my former coach. After these boys eat and its time to play one of the most important and interesting aspects of our sport is the lacrosse stick in and of itself. So we asked the RISE UP BOYS what their weapon of choice is on the lacrosse field

ESPN RISE:

1. What do you eat before a game?

2. What type of stick do you use? 

Criag Goodermote: Sachem East (Holtsville, NY.) continues to roll through his hockey season as they stand at 17-0 and only have a few more games left on the schools scheudle hoping to go undefeated for the first time in the schools history.

1. My favorite meal is a handful of double stuff Oreo's... haha, actually I usually keep peanut butter and some bread in the coaches office and make a quick sandwich before every game. 

2. I use an orange Nemisis head with a Diamons shaft.

Connor English: Manhasset (Manhasset, NY)

1. My Favorite pre game meal is a chiken cutlet with hot sauce and ranch dressing on a hero.

2. My Favorite stick is the one I am using right now, it's a Proton Power with a Gait Ice shaft.

Luke Armour: Lawrenceville (Lawrencville, NJ.)

1. I try not to eat before games.If I have anything I'll have half a Clif Bar or Power Bar with some Gatorade.

2. Although I don't use it now, when I was younger I copied whatever Jesse Hubbard was using. For a while it was a classic Razer with a tradition six diamond (leather) pocket. The handle was a Levitation, which I thought was the bomb. When maintaining the leather became to much I succumbed to using mesh and have been ever since, but I must admit, my game has consequently suffered.

Matt White: Ridgefield (Ridgefield, CT.)

1. My pre game meal I have either a bacon, egg, and cheese or just a bag of Goldfish.

2. Favorite stick would be a Titan classic with the Maverick Juice head on it.

Chris "Shocker" Lapierre: Shawnee (Medford, NJ.)

1. Pre game meal is grilled chicken and pasta. It's not a lax thing as much as it is for football, but definitley the way to go.

2. My favorite stick is the Razor Pro (not the 2.0 with the girly designs) and a Titan Pro shaft.

Tobey Armour: Choate Rosemary Hall (New Haven, CT) 

1. Pasta for a pre game meal, and a lot of water.

2. Favorite stick would have to be the one I'm usuing right now, an STX Scandium with an Excalibur.

Owen Van Arsdale: STAB (Charlottesville, VA.)

1. I like to eat a ham sandwhich as a pre game meal and then eat a bagle right before game time.

2. My favorite stick right now is the Gait Fuel, but that is not being made anymore so I guess I need to stock up on those.

Will Campbell: Worthington Kilbourne (Worthington, OH.) 

1. I dont each much before my games, but I do usually snack on some Sun Chips, a big bag or two.

2. My Favorite lacrosse stick would be the one I am ussing right now. It's a black Proton Power with a white Swizzle shaft.

Frank Price II: Holly Springs (Holly Springs, NC.) 

1.I have a specific pre game meal ritual that I go through every time I compete. In this Order: Bottle of water, banana, bagel with cream cheese, raisins, and then repeat a second time closer to the game.

2. I use Warrior poles, and a Gait Wizard head, I call it "Hercules."

John Muti: Mt. Lakes (Mt. lakes, NJ.)

1. Favorite pre game meal is mac and cheese.

2. My favorite head and shaft combination would have to be the Brine Eraser and the Carolina Blue Krypto pro shaft.

Michael Morris: Deerfield (Deerfield, MA.)

1. Pre game meal is always something small, preferable a PB&J or a bowl of pasta. I always have a Gatorade or two, and always the yellow colored flavor.

2. My favorite stick is the Gait-Ice. I saw a Duke game, and I think it was either Parker McKee or Tony McDevitt, but a defenseman had a black shaft. That day Duke had their black uniforms on, and the D-man with the black shaft had a pretty sick look going on. Since then I've always rocked a black shaft.

Quinn Haley: Queen Anne's (Centerville, MD.)

1. Favorite pre game meal: In the morning, pancakes. Later on- Chipotle burrito. If I run out of time just a Power Bar and an energy drink.

2. My favorite lacrosse stick. I experiment with a few at a time, but usually end up going with a Proton head with hard mesh (nicely broken-in) and any good lightweight shaft, I am not particular. 

John Urbank: Chaminade (Mineola, NY.) 

1. My favorite pre gamemeal is a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. Usually we play in the morning so I need some good fuel to start the day.

2. I don't really have a favorite stick as long as it is light, strong, and throws nice, I'll use anything.

Marcus Hollman: Gilman (Baltimore, MD.)

1. I honestly do not have a specific pre game meal, but last season I did eat a bowl of ice cream the night before every game..

2. My favorite lax twig is the Proton Power. I've been using them since ninth grade. I have an old STX Deep Freeze pole on my started now, it's pretty throwback.

Jake Haley: Queen Annes' (Centerville, MD.)

1. Favorite pre game meal :Anywhere with all my teammates. We have a limited time between our school day and game-time, so usually most of the guys on the team meet at a place like Coliseum, the local pizza place. For summer tournaments with the Crabs we like to find a local Chipotle for burritos.

2.My favorite stick is an Eclipse head with monster mesh and I have always used the Gait DB803 or the Gait Ice shaft. I like the light weight and the feel of them.

Tyler Knarr: La Salle (Eagleville, PA.)

1. I keep it really light with a Power Bar, a banana, and some Vitamin water.

2. My favorite stick is a Gait Torque on a Kypto pro shaft.

If you have a question for ESPN RISE or any of the RISE UP BOYS email brett@studentsports.com and the RISE UP BOYS may be answering your question next. 

Tobey Armour of Choate High School in Connecticut verbally committed to Johns Hopkins after her narrowed it down to Hopkins, Virginia, Georgetown, Harvard, and Notre Dame.

Between his visit to Baltimore and dialogue with coach Dave Pietramala, Armour felt that this was the place for him to grow as a student and as a lacrosse player. Armour brings the full package as a defenseman. His athleticism will allow him to play close defense or pole for the Blue Jays. He has the aggressiveness and toughness for NCAA lacrosse. As a high school athlete, he was a hot topic of conversation at various camps taking home the Defensive MVP at the Nike Elite Lacrosse Camp last summer.

 Stay tuned as more of the RISE UP BOYS decided where they will land in college.

RISE UP BOYS this week has the thought of 2009 in mind. We wanted to ask our boys what they had in mind for a New Years resolution and now that lacrosse is getting closer and closer, what drill they enjoy most getting ready for the season.

1. What is your New Years resolution?
2. What is the best drill in lacrosse tryouts?

Frank Price II: (Holy Springs, NC, UVA)
1. Mostly just to leave the past in the past
2. The hassle drill, in the hassle drill you have 10 guys in a circle, and 8 guys in the middle of the circle 4 on offense, and 4 on defense, while the 4 offensive players work the ball to the out side, the 4 defensive players hassle them any way they want, legally or illegally.

Michael Morris: (Deerfield Academy, CT, G'Town)

1.My new years resolution is to start lifting more consistently

2. I really can't wait for full field scrimmages to start during tryouts, 

and one on ones are a lot of fun too.

John Urbank (Chaminade, NY, Undecided)

Schools: Georgetown, Duke, Princton, Yale, Loyola, Providence, Maryland, Notre Dame

1. My New Year's resolution is to get above 1200 on my SATs and bring home another CHSSA lacrosse championship in the spring
2. My favorite drill in tryouts is 1v1 groundball battles

Jake Haley: (Queen Annes, MD, Georgetown)

1. To win a state championship in lacrosse or football. Whil continuing to improve in both sports.

2. The drill I am looking forward to most will be the last drill we do in warm-ups before our first game. 

Connor English: (Manhasset. NY, UVA)
1.My new years resolution would have to be cutting back on the soda, that stuff can be addicting.
2.My favorite drill during practice is 2v1 or 3v2 or 4v3 ground ball drills where if the offense gets it we have a fast break on the defense, I love it cause you have get physical to get that ball and then try and move the ball quick to get a lay-up.

Luke Armour: (Lawrenceville School, NJ, Princeton)  
1. I don't believe in resolution besides continuing to try and be the best person and friend and family member I can be. although I've been contemplating facing my fear of seafood.
 2. Fast break drills are my favorite, any type of transition drills. odd man situations, gotta love the speed and pinpoint passing (and making the defense look stupid).
Craig Goodermote: (Sachem East, NY, Undecided)

1. Get off the couch and workout even more.

2. Love the one on one drills.
Chris Lapierre: (Shawnee, NJ, UVA)

2. Semi-circle shooting because we get to crank shots on the goalies from up top.

Marcus Holman: (Gilman, MD, UNC)

1. In 2009, I'm going to focus more on doing the little things right. Stuff like finishing sprints all the way, GB's with two hands, and shooting overhand.

2. We do a drill that I love at Gilman called Numbers Drill, where all the defense and some middies are down at the goal line and everyone on offense is up at the midline. If coach calls out the number 6, then 6 offensive guys go and only 5 go on defense, so it's always one man up for the offense.  It gets really interesting when he calls 2 or sometimes even 1, which he did for me last year resulting in a breakaway against my brother who's a goalie. It's a more relaxed, fun drill.

Will Campbell: (Worthington Kilbourne, OH, UNC)

1. My new years resolution is to not rest on my laurels.
2. My favorite lacrosse drill to do is 1 on 1 groundballs.  It demands speed, quickness, strength, aggressiveness and discipline not to hit your teammate in the back.

Welcome Tyler Knarr to the RISE UP BOYS. He is a Defenseman from La Salle PA., one of the nations top programs. Tyler is headed to Georgetown and has been compared to a young Brodie Merrill. We will keep up with Tyler as he leads his team into the season chasing another undefeated year. Tyler has worked heard to repair a tear in his knee and is ready to get out and play again.

 Check in again as we invite a few more boys and see how they are doing in Basketball, Hockey, and even intramural basketball which is a heated topic for some of the young men on this list.

Happy New Year from ESPN RISE

Thought I would continue the Holiday thread and ask the RISE UP BOYS what the best Christmas/Holiday gift they ever got was. Also with all of the great movies coming out on DVD and in the theatre who their favorite celebrity is...

First, Tobey Armour at Choate checked in, with the end of his soccer season he has taken time to get out and visit colleges.. recently he has seen Hopkins, Notre Dame, Harvard, and Brown. While down on the Island Craig Goodermote works closer to his decision, recently visiting NAVY and coming back happy with all thinks Annapolis. He has also started the Hockey season off with a 15-0 start, posting 2 to 3 points a game and a nice ground and pound fight the other night.

In Jersey Chris LaPierre finished his football season the way you want to with a state championship and a bunch of ink in the state record books. Now he shifts his focus to some CYO basketball and indoor lacrosse to prep for a big season. Staying in NJ John Muti of Mt. Lakes checked in with similar news as the Lakers finished the season with a state football title as well in their division. Muti pointed out that it was "as exhilarating as a sporting event he has been involved in to date." With the close of football it's time for Muti to get in cage again and get ready to help the Lakers to a similar outcome in the spring.

Next RISE UP BOYS we look toward catching up with a new face, and hearing about the boys christmas and New Years resolutions...

ESPN RISE:

Who is your favorite celebrity?

What is the best gift you have ever received during the holidays? 

Frank Price II: (Holy Spring, NC. UVA)

When I was 5 I got a set of dinosaur toys, that I would not let out of my sight.

Will Ferrell: Every movie that guy is in is hilarious

 Tobey Armour: (Choate, CT. Undecided)

Jack Black, because he is hilarious, and he seems to be able to do a lot of different stuff.

Best christmas present ever was probably an Ipod

Criag Goodermote: (

Jason Statham. The man is a beast period. Nothing like a british bad-ass.

 Best christmas gift were plane tickets to salt lake city Utah to go

snowboarding. Theres nothing like west coast powder.

Chris "SHOCKER" LaPierre

Fav. Celeb. = Tiger Woods because he's a winner and works so hard at making sure he's the best and doesn't let anyone get in his way.

Howie Long Jr.

Favorite celeb- arnold swarz

Best xmas present, easy- scholarship to UVA. Dec 23 2007.

John Muti

As for my favorite celebrity it has to be Neil Patrick Harris, he is one of the funniest actors I have ever watched.

 And my favorite Christmas gift I ever received is my iHome, I could never live without it.

Harry Prevas

Favorite present: by far the power wheels that I got when I was 3 it was a dump truck.

Celebrity: Kirsten Dunst. Spiderman rain scene followed by the spiderman hook sesh, possibly the greatest superhero comic scene ever.

Connor English

Favorite celebrity has to be Chris Rock, he is hilarious in his movies but even funnier on his comic acts.  I laugh the whole time.

The best Christmas gift I ever received  would probably be my xbox 360, it keeps me occupied.

Luke Armour

Fav Celbrity:  Cornel West - Great thinker, and speaker. He has great style and writes great books.
 
Best gift? 7th Grade - Princeton lacrosse sweatshirt compliments of Jesse Hubbard.

RISE UP BOYS will be back after Christmas! 

Week 6 of the RISE UP BOYS, has a few key stories to make note of. As I get to know these young men weekly, I start to invest more and more in what they do. I can honestly say I am a Shawnee Renegades, Queen Anne's, and STAB football fan. I am a big high school football supporter and absolutely love hearing how these young men are doing in all sports. As much as I'd like to have these boys square off in lacrosse, something about the way a few of these guys talk about football makes me want to see how they would do playing against each other on the gridiron.

	Courtesy of the Campbell Family
	Will Campbell (l0) checks in this week.

Craig Goodermote will leave Long Island for the weekend to visit a few of Maryland's top programs. Touring Loyola and UMBC on Friday and heading to Annapolis on Saturday to check out Coach Meade and the Navel Academy.Craig has also narrowed his college choices and his top 5 are: Cornell, Loyola, Fairfield, Navy, and Providence, in noparticular order.

Quinn and Jake Haley won a dogfight 3-0 against local rival (Kent Island) to go 10-0 and earn the top seed in the region.  The brothers each recorded an interception in the fourth quarter to stop Kent Island on their last two drives.  I have to note a good story when you see it& Quinn and Jake wrote&

"The best part was watching one of our best friends, Brian Chupek, kick the game winning field goal.  He's a soccer player who had never played football in his life before coming out to practice, Thursday, after our kicker was injured.  His first kick ever in a game was the next day, a 33 yard last-minute game winning field goal against our biggest rival.

The brothers enjoyed a chance to play in front of UMD Head Coach Dave Cottle. Afterward the Haleys had a chance to see family down in Tallahassee where they visited their older brother and caught the FSU vs. Clemson game.

Owen Van Arsdale and the STAB team beat Covenant 27-20 in the semifinals of the state play-offs this past weekend. Van Arsdale checked in with 50 yards receiving from QB Howie Long.

Will Campbell checked in from Ohio and the UNC bounds football team lost in the second round of the playoffs to Hillard Davidson. Will and the Worthington Kilbourne Wolves season is over so the focus is shifted towards lacrosse. Campbell has been recovering from a back injury, however, is confident that he will be ready for the spring.

This week to get into the holiday spirit we asked our boys what the best Thanksgiving Day food is and if they have any traditions during the holiday season. After this week we will take some time off so the boys can focus on winning championships, visiting colleges, and dominating in the classroom. We will pick back up with a few new names and the start of some new sports.

Michael Ernhardt: Best thanksgiving food: Mash Potatoes
Best Holiday season tradition: The annual football game I play with my family and cousins on Thanksgiving afternoon in the backyard.  It tends to get real serious, but it is so much fun.

Chris "Schocker Lapierre: Best Thanksgiving food: Mashed Potatoes and gravy
Best Holiday Food: My mom makes a mean French toast on Christmas morning; it's to die for.

John Muti: My favorite thanks giving food would have to be pumpkin pie, throw a little whipped cream on top and it becomes one of the best desserts. And my favorite holiday tradition is, Christmas morning my mom makes my family some tasty Cinnabons.

John Urbank: Favorite Thanksgiving food would have to be mashed potatoes and apple pie with ice cream on it for dessert. I really just like to chill out with my family on Thanksgiving watch some football and eat a lot of food.  

Marcus Holman, Gilman, UNC: My favorite Thanksgiving food is definitely these sweet potatoes my grandma makes with marshmallows on top.  We don't have too much family tradition other then usually throwing the football around or playing some pool.  

Quinn Haley: Best Thanksgiving food: Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream
Best Holiday Tradition: In our family it's the Turkey Bowl, when all the cousins get together.  Last year the Turkey Bowl included an ex-NFL Europe QB, a college QB, a former college QB and two HS QBs..  It is a ridiculously competitive game with the ball flying all over the place.

Will Campbell: Thanksgiving Food: Mashed Potatoes with lots of gravy.
Traditions: Since I was little, one of our traditions has been finding the pickle ornament hidden on our Christmas tree on Christmas morning.  With having two older brothers it has become very competitive. Last year I took my 19 year old brother out at the knees with my lacrosse stick as he tried to get there first. 

Jake Haley: Best Thanksgiving food: Turkey Leg with gravy.
Best Holiday Tradition: (See above) Same as Quinn's.

Craig Goodermote: Best Thanksgiving food has to be Turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing, a little cliché but it does the trick.

Owen Van Arsdale: The best thanksgiving food is the turkey.

By Brett Hughes

Week 5 of the RISE UP BOYS has our lacrosse stars answering what the best experience outside of competing in sports they have experiences and if there is one thing they think everyone else should try. On top of that, some of our boys have sent in a picture or explanation of what they were for Halloween.

	Goodermote Family
	Craig Goodermote's unique costume from "Treehouse of Friends".

By Brett Hughes

University of Virginia commit Matt White has caught the attention of just about anyone and everyone who has seen him play. ESPN RISE caught up with the future leader of one of the more prolific offenses in the country after he leaves his stamp on Connecticut lacrosse.

	ESPNRISE.com
	Matt White working hard at the NIKE Elite Lacrosse Camp.

Name: Matt White
High School: Ridgefield High School
Travel/Club Team: Connecticut Elite
Position: A/M

ESPNRISE.com: What first got you interested in the sport of Lacrosse?
Matt White: I saw my big brother playing when I was in second grade so my mom got me a stick and then in third grade I was on a team.

ESPNRISE.com: Do you play other sports?
MW: I play football and basketball.

ESPNRISE.com: Were your parents athletes?
MW: My mom is a very good athlete she beats me everytime in golf.  My dad played high school football and lacrosse.

ESPNRISE.com: What do you love about the game?
MW: When I'm playing middie I love to make tough ground ball plays, start transition and run by kids.  At attack I love to push the ball all the time, mostly to feed.. I love a no look feed or a behind the back feed more than anything.

ESPNRISE.com: What do you hate about the game?
MW: Too many mesh sticks these days.

ESPNRISE.com: Do you want to play in college? Where?
MW: Since I was very young I always wanted to play at Virginia.  It's a dream school.
 
ESPNRISE.com: Who is your favorite lacrosse player?
MW: I used to be a big Josh Sims fan when I was younger.  Doug Knight was big, too.  Right now I would have to say that Rabil is up there because he's just a savage and Glading is up there because he can just flat out play.

ESPNRISE.com: Who is your favorite Athlete?
MW: Probably Walter Payton or Dr. J.

ESPNRISE.com: What are your hobbies?
MW: Lax, any sport, relaxing, reading, hanging with friends.

ESPNRISE.com: What do you hope to accomplish with Lacrosse?
MW: I hope to make a good name for myself in the lax world by competing well at the highest level.

ESPNRISE.com: What has been your greatest challenge as an athlete?
MW: Learning to lead.

ESPNRISE.com: What motivates you?
MW:  My team, the crowd, the atmosphere, myself. 

ESPNRISE.com: What advice do you have to a young laxer just starting out?
MW: Get on the wall lefty and righty.

ESPNRISE.com: What do people not know about you?
MW: I'm a pretty good volleyball player.

By Brett Hughes

In college when you take a fifth year the lacrosse community call it a "Victory Lap. That fifth year when you get it all figured out, school can go smoothly, and you get the opportunity to just let life come to you. This Victory Lap is gaining popularity in the high school ranks, but for a different reason, quite the opposite actually.

These days as the talent levels soar in high school lacrosse, kids are choosing to take that extra year or PG (post grad year) to get to their first choice program. Whether the student needs to get his grades up, gain more exposure, or the college he wants has no scholarships readily available, they are looking to this fifth year to make dreams come true.

"During the summer after my senior year of high school, I decided to postpone college and take a post-graduate year, remarked Brady Williams, who took the fifth year to help improve his skills on the field and in the classroom.
    
Brady Williams left Upper Arlington (Ohio) High School for Avon Old Farms Prep in Connecticut.

"While college recruiting and the hopes of playing Division I lacrosse were certainly significant factors, I strongly believed that taking an extra year would be great experience overall, Williams added.

Ready to take his game to Gettysburg College, he (Williams) decided to expose himself to one more year of recruiting and learned so much more he ended up at Brown. Williams had this to say about this experience:

Not only are the student-athletes perusing this opportunity, college coaches are taking notice to the ever-growing trend. Mark VanArsdale sees the opportunity this can produce, if the student athlete understands why he/she is taking this fifth year.

"I think the PG year is going to continue to be more popular with all of the early recruiting--for those guys that don't get the opportunities they hope for by the end of the junior year, said VanArsdale, an assistant coach for the University of Virgina. "It gives them a chance to go into another recruiting cycle.

With this said, Coach VanArsdale stated that the right approach must be taken by the player.  

"It does not guarantee more or better opportunities, although it likely will bring those about.  If approached properly it usually makes the student better prepared to take full advantage of those opportunities, he said.

The PG year may become more popular, and perhaps more for the players who don't get the opportunity they hope for by the end of their junior year.  This year will give players another shot at the recruiting cycle.

Cavaliers' assistant Mark VanArsdale continued:

"We have two "first years and one player coming next year who would not have had the chance if they did not decide to PG.  I do think the PG year is a good idea for most as long as they approach it with the proper attitude.  

Being away in a new environment, taking challenging courses, and in many instances, having the opportunity to play against top competition all factor in to helping prepare PG students well for what lies ahead. The maturity --physically and emotionally--also is a plus about the PG year.  From a pure athletic standpoint, if you stay in shape you are a much better player at 23 than 19 (generally the trade off) --sort of a built in red shirt.

The down side can be the student feeling like he/she is spending a year in purgatory before going off to college.  They may not feel connected to the school and there is the risk of trouble finding them if they are disinterested, bored, etc.  There is also the expense factor--these places are not cheap, but often they do have very generous financial aid packages for outstanding athletes.

I do think the number of prep schools in the northeast makes it much more popular option for the students in the east.  There is a strong culture of former prep schoolers sending their offspring there as well.

It is not a free year by any means. In fact, for most it's a chance to work harder and truly show the potential he/she possesses. A trend on the rise with incredible benefits. For those student athletes who understand what an extra year can do to prepare them in the classroom and on the field, why not take a "victory lap.

It will be interesting to see how this trend affects the college landscape.