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.

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.” 

Posted By ESPN RISE Staff

	Kirstin Olsen/ESPN RISE
	NELC Denver action

The 2009 Nike Elite Lacrosse Camp kicked off the first event on June 15th at the Dick's Sporting Goods Complex in Denver, Colorado. Over 65 kids were registered for the camp from four states, Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, and New Jersey. The facility was top notch and provided a great setting for the elite camp.

The NELC Denver coaching staff boasts some of the top players in the game today. Johns Hopkins All-American and Tewaaraton winner Kyle Harrison returns this year. Newcomers to the NELC Denver Staff were Johns Hopkins alum Lou Braun, Hofstra All-American Sean McCarthy, Maryland alum Jimmy Borell and Cornell's 2009 Tewaaraton winner Maxwell Seibald.  Coaches interacted and instructed athletes and also spoke to the athletes about the importance of training.

The talent of the camp was very diverse, with All-State, All-American players and several eager athletes equipped with work ethic but not as skilled as the others. The format of the camp provided something for both while not taking away from the authentic camp experience. Feedback from athletes was great and many had said that the performance training and elite competition format was the first they had experienced at a lacrosse camp.

The top players at the camp were evenly distributed so we had a chance to see the square off head to head. An up and coming goalie named Rhody Heller will be a show stopper for Regis Jesuit in Aurora, CO next year. We may have been the first to see Heller's skill because he was behind a senior this year. Kyle Harrison thinks he is "the best goalie I have seen all year.”

Some of the other standout players were middy Michael Rea from Fairview High school in Longmont, CO, who received All-Conference and All-State honors as a sophomore. Another soon to be Division I recruit, incoming junior defender Tanner Ottenbreit from Regis Jesuit has the potential to play anywhere in the country. Lastly, middy Ehret Faircloth competed in three varsity sports his sophomore year for The Lawrenceville School in Princeton, NJ and was recommended by a Princeton lacrosse player as an up and coming talent.

Next Stops:

NELC San Francisco, CA Redwood HS July 6th
NELC Los Angeles, CA Home Depot Center July 7th

NELC Syracuse, NY Syracuse University July 9th

By Brett Hughes

ESPN RISE caught up with the man behind the "Kids Helping Kids" charity concert at Lawrencville. Luke Armour a senior co-captian of the high school's lacrosse team and founder of the Lawrencville branch of Kids Helping Kids. The goal of the concert was to raise 10,000 dollars and raise awarness about the orginization that Armour dedicated a lot of time to over the years. He made a splash by brining an up-and-comin Hip-Hop artist who did not dissapoint.

Luke Armour, has been a fixture in the New Jersey lacrosse community since he started playing. From his days helping out with the former MLL team New Jersey Pride, to participating in every lacrosse event he could, he engrossed himself in the sport and the sport welcomed with open arms. I personally got to watch him grow up and blow up into an incredible Princteon bound lacrosse player, but also grow into a great kid off the field with the heart and intellegence to make a difference. With that said, ESPN RISE thought it would be a great idea for me to find out more about the event and what next for the "Luke of Earl".

Espn RISE: Tell me personally why you wanted to do this concert event?

Luke Armour: We were thinking about how we could raise a large amount of money for Kids Helping Kids, and realized that the only way to get people really excited about this was to bring in a legitimate performer, and create an event which people would be pumped about. This event was really hyped and lived up to its expectations.

ER: Why Theophilus London, and how did you get a guy like that to preform?

LA: Theophilus London is an up and coming artist from Brooklyn who was discovered by a friend of mine Derek Davies, the founder of the Neon Gold Record label. I told him about what I was trying to do and he directed me to Theophilus' manager who was interested in helping out for such a great cause. It was amazing to see how a few young guys from Brooklyn who had never heard of Lawrenceville or KHK, jumped at the opportunity to do something for a great cause. A great expression of charity in itself.

ER: How long have you been involved with Kids Helping Kids?

LA: I've been involved in Kids Helping Kids since 8th grade. The founder, Mischa Zimmerman, was a year older than my sister at Montclair High school, and in 8th grade, everyone in my town was so moved by Mischa's efforts that everyone got involved. When I came to Lawrenceville, I knew I wanted to start a branch here, so my sophomore year, I did that. Read about Mischa at www.kidshelping.org. 

ER: Best moment of the night for you apart from the overall event?

LA: The best moment of the night was definitely going to hang out with Theophilus before the concert in his green room. He was one of the most engaging, interesting guys I've ever met. He's got serious star power and is going to be huge. He's in Europe right now for his month-long tour, headlining shoes in Paris, Dublin, London, and Amsterdam. Totally legitimate.

ER: So at the end of the day,you saw it as a succsess, what is going on now?

LA: Donations are still coming in from friends and family in the Lawrenceville community, and we're approaching the $10,000 mark, which is unreal. We're all so thrilled about the success of this event that we're trying to do one again for the week of our graduation in May.

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

Lawrencville senior and Princeton commit Luke Armour recently out together a benefit concert for an organization he brought to his area called "Kids Helping Kids", whose mission is to rehabilitate and uplift the hearts and spirits of children confined to hospitals due to illness and injury.

We will be catching up with luke to hear how his team and a up and coming rapper Theophilus London, brought down the house while raising up some funds and hearts all in one night for the Lawrencville student body and faculty.  

We will catch up with Luke and find out how he set this up, why he felt the pull to do this, and how a rapper that Rolling Stone labeled "the next big thing" linked up to bring the noise to such a good cause. 

Check out the press release for Luke and his concert. 

Posted By Brett Hughes

Chris "Shocker" LaPierre has been a player we follow closely as he continues to break records and impress on his way to UVA in the fall of 2009. Finally he hits lacrosse season, the sport everyone wants to see him excel in, however, RISE had to get one last article out of him about his choice. Find out more about LaPierre and his decision. 

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. 

By Brett Hughes 

The Naval Acdemy has recived a verbal commitment from Mountain Lakes (NJ) Goalie John Muti. Muti, a Nike Blue Chip goalie and MVP at the Long Island Nike Elite Lacrosse Camp has decided to tend the cage for the Midshipmen. 

We will catch up with John soon to hear what made his decision final. 

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! 

By Brett Hughes 

New Jersey now has a new name on top of the football records books. Chris Lapierre of Shawnee has set the single season scoring record and single season TD record. LaPierre finsihed with 44 Touchdowns, four more than anyone in state history, most notably Georgia running back Knowhson Moreno. 

Most importanlty his team sent LaPierre away with a state title. Shawnee won dispatching Hammonton 28-7. "Shocker" carried the ball 26 times for 179 yards and posted all 4 touchdowns for the Renegades. 

Chris LaPierre has been playing footbal since he was five years old. If this is the last football game he ever plays in, providing UVA does not talk him into playing for them in the fall, its a great farewell. See how Chris stacks up to the rest of the record setting ballers in the state. 

By ESPN RISE Staff

Landon Carr of Curtis High School in Washington state jumped on as one of only six recruits coming in to the University of Maryland for the fall of 2009. He made it clear that he worked hard to be seen by top East Coast colleges, attending plenty of camps and became the first area player to head east in his class.

Jesse Bernhardt the All-American Defensman out of Lake Brantly High School, in Florida, joins his older brother Jake and brings his athleticisim to a school that is always strong on the defesnive side of the ball. Jesse's linebacker mentality will fit great with the Terrapins blue collar work approach to defense.

The Univesrity of Maryland class of 2009 brings in three Midfielders, two defenseman, and a strong goalie in Nick Amato from LaSalle Highschool in Penn. Amato is one of the top five goalies in his recruiting class.

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

Week four of the RISE UP BOYS welcomes a new face and will have the best answers yet. We ask our boys the most embarrassing sports moment, and their best sports moment ever.

First we check in on how the fall is rolling for some of the boys. Matt White and Ridgefield put up another W with a 34-14 beating of Wilton on homecoming, White tallied a TD pass in the victory, while on the receiving end of the ball  Owen Van Arsdale of St. Anne's Belfield had a TD grab from fellow lacrosse star Howie Long in the 51-14 drubbing of Christchurch. "STAB" is looking ahead toward there last game before the postseason where they are looking at a three seed.

Jake Haley and Queen Anne's beat Parkside to reach 8-0. After not practicing all week due to a pinched nerve, J Haley put his stamp on the game with a 16-yard TD and an interception. He and brother Quinn also visited Coach Urick at Georgetown the past weekend.

John Urbank continues to use his tall frame to pull in big catches and big games. He had 90 yards receiving this past weekend.

Chris Lapierre continues to run through the NJ football scene literally as Shawnee's team holds the top spot in the rankings.

	ESPN RISE
	Chris LaPierre (L) and Harry Prevas at the NIKE Elite Lacrosse Camp this past summer.

RISE UP BOYS Question of the week:
What is your most embarrassing sports moment?
What is your best sports moment?

Quinn Haley:
Embarrassing sports moment: My first youth basketball game, I didn't really get it and I couldn't control myself.  I just kept flying down the court and heaving up 3-point bombs.  I think I went 1 for 20 and the coach had to pull me out of the game. On the ride home, my brothers and parents kept laughing at me and trying to explain how wrong that was.
Best Sports moment:  Last night in Laser Tag, I led my team to victory with 8,000 points.

Jake Haley:
Embarrassing sports moment: The first time I played golf this summer on the course behind our house, I sliced three tee shots in a row onto a neighbors back porch and roof and those were the only three golf balls I had to play with. I had to walk right back inside the house.
Best Sports moment: State Championship (u-15). It was youth ball, but I was with some great players I will know for the rest of my life. We were huge underdogs and we upset the Baltimore league champs in the state AA final. We were missing some of our best players, but our coaches had us in incredible condition and we had great team chemistry.  I had around 17 saves and a bunch of GBs and our middies were awesome.  After a big save, I watched Pat Harbeson go coast-to-coast for the game-winner with less than 5 seconds left, and I knew we had done something special.

John Urbank:
Embarrassing sports moment: was last year I was chasing down a groundball and couldn't scoop it so I kept running and we have these nets up to protect the kids on the track so I was running with all my momentum and didn't stop and ran right into the nets knocked it over and got stuck in it.
Best Sports moment:  recently would have to be going down to UMBC this summer for the Brine Shootout with the Long Island Express and winning every game when we were playing against mostly seniors or prep school kids. We won the final game in overtime capping off a great weekend.
 
Matt White:
Embarrassing sports moment: was getting stuffed one on one with a goalie at blue chip juniors with probably every coach in the country watching.
Best Sports moment:  was scoring the game winner as time expired last year in the conference semis against Greenwich last year.

Frank Price II:
Embarrassing sports moment: It was a home game, and was chasing a loose ball that was headed out of bounds, I dove to try to keep it in play, and landed in a huge puddle of water I was soaked and covered in mud for the rest of the game.
Best Sports moment:  Scoring the game winner against a team that we were never expected to beat in a million years. And then beating them a second time later that season. we beat wake field, who was suposed to win the conference

Harry Prevas:
Embarrassing sports moment: was probably in the football game against Calvert Hall a few weeks back.  Davey Emala threw me a pass that would be a touch down and the corner back covering me tripped. The ball went straight threw my hands.
Best Sports moment: Beating DeMatha

Owen Van Arsdale:
Embarrassing sports moment: was when I muffed a punt the first game I played punt returner on the first punt.  We were already getting blown out, our defense finally got a stop, and I lost the ball inside the redzone.  
Best Sports moment:  was winning the lacrosse state championship in double overtime 8-7.  The winning goal was also a great end-to-end team play.  That team was really fun to be on and it was a perfect way to end the season.

Craig Goodermote
Embarrassing sports moment: was during a hockey game I was on a breakaway and my pants fell down to my ankles and I tripped and blew it. I felt like a complete clown.
Best Sports moment:  hands down had to be participating in the Nike
Blue-chip camp. All the guys there were great. It was nothing but awesome.

Chris "Shocker" Lapierre:
Embarrassing sports moment:  was in 8th grade when I was playing center field for my schools baseball team.  A line drive was hit right at me; I was running at a dead sprint in to catch it when the ball hit me square in the middle of my forehead and bounced all the way to the fence.  That's also when I choose high school lax over baseball.
 
Connor English:
Embarrassing sports moment: for me had to be my freshman year of lax.  Only me and one other freshmen were brought up and the seniors told us all season that come playoff time we had to sing a song or do a skit in front of the whole team and coaches, but we didn't believe them.  When our 1st playoff game came we had a breakfast that morning and the night before they called us and said be ready.  So my friend and I wanted it to be good so we sang "I will survive" and did the dance they did in the replacements to it.  
Best Sports moment:  I would have to say it was when we played Darien my sophomore year, we won and I had 4 G's, the sick part was it was on MSG and I got interviewed after with Ryan Young, it was pretty sweet.

Michael Morris:
Embarrassing sports moment: was probably when we were playing Delbarton my freshmen year at Ridgewood and I was running up field looking for someone to pass to. The Delbarton attackman riding me made a great diving play, and swinging his stick around my body made my stick helicopter in the air. He picked up the ball uncontested and scored.
Best Sports moment:  of mine was my sophomore year at Deerfield going undefeated. Everyday was fun on that team, and going 16-0 was a culmination of a lot of hard work throughout the year. It was a very memorable and enjoyable season for me, one that I grew a lot as a lacrosse player.

Tobias Armour:
Embarrassing sports moment: Probably my sophomore year.  During a soccer game, this forward pulled a move on me and I fell flat on my face because I tripped over my own feet.
Best Sports moment:  Not sure I have one; there have been a lot that I will never forget

Chris "Shocker" Lapierre and Shawnee have been running through the schedule, this past week they put it on rival and previously undefeated Camden Catholic 42-13 as the Renegades win total reached the 6-0 mark. The Virginia bound Lapierre tallied four TD's, but enjoyed watching his team pull most of the weight. Lapierre also checked in on the RISE UP BOYS Week 4, set to come out this week.

As a top recruit, with the ability to go to the school of your choice, the process sometimes can be a daunting task. For some it can actually be stressful, but for others it's simple and things seem to come together when the time is right. Scott McWilliams (Mountain Lakes, NJ) is arguably the top defenseman in the junior class found his fit in Charlottesville, at Thomas Jefferson's University& UVA.

What made UVA fit? And how does a young man who has not started his junior lacrosse season stay hungry after this dream of division one lacrosse gets realized so young? In the case of McWilliams it takes no time to see this long pole does not plan on kicking his feet up, but instead to lead and learn with no outside distractions.

	Courtesy of McWilliams Family
	McWilliams is committed to play at UVA.

The Garden State is going to have to look out as Mountain Lakes looks for a third straight title and see Scott McWilliams turn into the player that every college in the NCAA knows he can become.

ESPN RISE: Right off the bat, how do you feel about making the choice to go to UVA?

Scott McWilliams:  I really have a great feeling about UVA, and it seems like the right place for me.

ER: Obviously, why UVA?

SM:  UVA is one of the top Universities in the country, with a fantastic campus, amazing facilities, big time sports, and a great lacrosse program.

ER: What did the coach's say to make you feel like this is the right place
for you?

SM:  They felt that the way I play would fit in well with the Virginia style of lacrosse.  They also felt if I was willing to put in the work, I could contribute early in my career.

ER: What are your strengths and what do you think you can bring to a high
profile club like UVA.

SM: I look forward to the chance to work with the coaching staff, and I have never been afraid to do what it takes to get better.  The fact that I played attack most of my career prior to switching to defense has helped me with my stick skills. I think this will work well with the Virginia style of lacrosse.  They like their defenders to play in your face defense, but also be part of the transition game.

ER: What were some other schools you had in mind?

SM: My top three schools were always Virginia, Hopkins, and Maryland.

ER: About Mountain Lakes, your team is stacked, what is the outlook fort this
year?

SM:    Mountain Lakes is always a senior led team.  Every year we graduate a large group of senior leaders and expect the juniors and sophomores to step up and fill their shoes.  That will be no different this year.  Our coaching staff does a great job of reloading every year.

ER: Do you have any personal goals for the season?

SM:   My number one goal is to do whatever it takes to help the team win a third straight State Championship.

ER: What are a few things you and Coach Flynn have talked about improving before you head off to UVA?

SM:  Coach Flynn and his staff are great teachers; they do a great job of getting the most out of their players.  As always, I plan on working hard to improve my strength, speed, and stick skills.

ER: You are not even into your Jr. season and already set on your college,
what are you going to do to stay hungry for the next year?  

SM:    As with most of my teammates, I'm a competitor, and look forward to working hard to get better every year.  As a team we set very high goals every year, and I want to help ML be the best we can. We care about each other and don't want to let each other down.

ER: For kids going through this in the future... Do you have any advice?

SM:   I'm very fortunate to play for the top team in New Jersey, so that helps get you exposure. However, the best advice I can give is that if you get invited to attend any of the top summer camps, really work hard.  The camps are only a few days long, and that's when most of us get our first chance to get on the college coaches' radar.

ER: Feelings on the football team starting to win?

SM:    I was down for a visit the weekend of the Maryland game, which Virginia won 31-0.  At the time the team was 1-3, and we have now won four straight.

ER: Favorite UVA Athlete of all time? Favorite Lacrosse player of all time?

SM:   Favorite UVA athlete, Brett Hughes of course, but being a NY Giants fan, Tiki Barber is also up there.  Favorite lacrosse player of all time; growing up I always looked up to former Laker defender Joe Cinosky who was Team Captain and Team MVP at Maryland last year.

Check in again for an interview with St. Mary's football/lacrosse star and UNC bound Mark McNeill. Read his thoughts on UNC and the opportunity to score goals and catch passes for the Tar Hells.

Posted by Brett Hughes 

To switch things up for my readers, I wanted to bring something different that has always helped me in training and preparing for lacrosse season. I love to watch and learn from other sports and other players in those sports. Other than basketball players, I learn a lot from soccer players. One of my close friends whom I always bounce ideas and thoughts on how to compete, train, and what mindset is best for situations is Alecko Eskandarian, who plays for Chivas USA in Los Angeles. Check his bio out to see some of his goals and learn more about this MLS star.

Outside of his crazy goals and ability to always be in the right spot, Alecko or "eskee" as many call him, has battled through injuries including sports hernias and a bad head injury that he has worked hard to return from.

	Photo by Juan Miranda/MLS via Getty Images
	Alecko Eskandarian #7 of Chivas USA.

You can hear things a thousand times, but sometimes, someone says it in a way that makes sense. I hope that Alecko and some of the other MLS stars that check in may help get you to the top of your game. 

Alecko Eskandarian Bio

ESPN RISE: Do you ever watch the sport or have you ever played?

Alecko Eskandarian: I had never really watched lacrosse closely until I got to UVA. I had heard about what a powerhouse the UVA lax program was so I figured I would see what they were all about. From the minute I watched the UVA men's team play I was hooked. It made me regret not playing lax as a youngster because I think I would have been pretty good at it. 

ER: What position would you want to play and why?

AE: From a fans standpoint, I love watching the middies play because they can go from one zone to the other and I feel like they are way more involved in the game. But, as far as my strengths go, I would definitely have to play in the attack. I think it would come natural to me to try to get myself in good spots around the goal to get my shot off into the net.

ER: How are our sports similar? 

AE:I think they are very similar. Team shape is important, everyone has a role on the team, good ball movement creates chances, and everyone needs to be moving off the ball to help their teammates. I could go on and on. That's why I love watching lacrosse because even though I have never played, I feel like I have a good understanding of the game based on my experiences playing soccer.

ER: Is their anything you see in lacrosse that you really like, any certain aspect?

AE: Yes. Easy. You get to hit people with a stick, I love that. The other thing I love most is the 1 on 1 battle. I love watching guys get isolated 1v1 and seeing who will come out on top. Its great to see each team's best attackmen go up against the other team's best defender and have that match-up all game long. I wish there could be more of that in soccer.

ER: Any advice as an athlete you would give to young players playing lacrosse as well as other sports.

AE: Have fun. Enjoy the opportunity, and try to make the most of your talents. Way too many kids take it for granted that sports can open up a plethora of life experiences. Soccer has taken me to many places around the world, to a great school like UVA, introduced me to some great people, and now it is what I get paid to do. And if nothing else, it helped keep me out of trouble and fit and healthy. 

Check out an MLS game sometime, there is always something to be learned or taken from athletes at the top of their game, and these soccer players are exactly that. Watching the way they move off the ball, run to space, and play for and with each other on defense is something I have grown to admire and learn from, maybe it can do the same for you and your game as a coach or player. Check back in as we hear from more of the best soccer players in the MLS.

Mountain Lakes Defensman Scott McWilliams has verbally committed to the University of Virginia, While University of North Carolina received word that two sport standout Mark McNeill will be on campus in carolina blue fall of 2010. Mark and Scott will be checking in this week to let us here more about these recent verbal commitments, and how it feels to be through the recruiting process. We will also find out what they see the future holding for these two future NCAA stars.

By Brett Hughes 

ESPN RISE Back in action again with week three of the RISE UP boys tracking the off-season sports and life of some of the future stars of lacrosse. Week three introduces a few new names as we ask these Lacrosse stars if they could have lunch with anyone past or present who would it be. Some of the answers are petty good, and pretty entertaining. If you have a question for the RISE UP BOYS send it to me and we will work it into one of the next weeks. Come back for new names and new stories as we work toward the spring.

	Courtesy of Haley Family
	Quinn Haley (right) is one of the RISE UP Boys for week three.

Tobey Armour had had an up and down season on the soccer field as Choate stands at 6-5 and preps for a tough leg of the season, Tobey continues to anchor the team from center back and is ready to put a string of wins together. From the Island Matt White of Ridgefield High School dispatched Ludlow with ease as they rolled to a 35-0 victory having his way with the defense from the QB position.

The Haley Brothers Jake and Quinn had the biggest win of the season as Queen Anne's high school of MD. Quinn set the pace for the game by taking the opening kickoff to the house after a 95-yard return putting up the only points in the first half with that effort. The brothers visited Princeton to catch the alumni game, and drove cross-town to see Johns Hopkins and tour the campus. These brothers stay busy and successful, as they seem to every week the RISE UP BOYS check in.

Fresh off a big win over Covenant School in Charlottesville Virginia, Owen Van Arsdale tallied a TD catch as the junior attackman from St. Annes Belfield helped take down their cross-town rivals 27-14. Van Arsdale also visited UVA to see the Cavaliers football team beat UNC in OT 16-13.

It was a short week for many of the players and their athletic accomplishments however they did check in with the answer to the most interesting question I had a chance to ask to date.

ESPN RISE: If you could have lunch with anyone past of present who would it be, and why?

Tobey Armour:
I would love to have lunch with Edward Norton, because he is one of my favorite actors, Terrell Davis, because he was the first athlete I truly devoted myself to, and Jack Black, because he is one of the funniest people alive.

Owen Van Arsdale:
If I could have lunch with one person it would be Donovan McNabb.  I used to live in Philadelphia and he seems like a really cool guy.

Quinn Haley:
If I could have lunch with anyone it would probably be Seth Rogen because he's hilarious and he makes me laugh.

Connor English:
I would want to have lunch with Tupac.  I would want to have lunch with him because I love his music, but also I would like to know what is it like to be dead!

John Muti:
If I could have lunch with anyone past or present it would have to be Jesus Christ. I mean who wouldn't want to kick back and relax with Jesus. On a serious note though just to be there would be amazing. Just to ask him some questions about his life so people could get a better understanding of the kind of person he was.

Jake Haley:
If I could have lunch with anyone I would probably choose Chris Cooley the TE for the Redskins. Because I'm a skins fan and he is a baler, the guy seems to have an awesome personality. I think I could get along with him.

Frank Price II:
If could sit down and talk with anybody, it would be Dave Matthews.  Because I'm a huge fan and it would be sweet to get to meet him

Matt White:
If I could eat lunch with one person, it would probably be William Wallace because I could learn from that guy.  He could teach about leadership and tell some sweet stories.  

Posted by Brett Hughes

Week Two of the RISE UP boys introduces a couple new guys to the scene and some great responses to the question of the week. So after we catch up with these future lax stars keep reading to find out what their favorite sports movie is and why.

	ESPN RISE
	Connor English is one of the athletes featured in today's RISE UP feature.

The first stop brings us down to the Tobacco Road where Frank Price II is playing football and waiting for another strong performance this spring. Price is looking at a number of schools with Virginia, Hopkins, Army, UMBC and others on his list. He had his first unofficial visit to VA this past weekend so spirits are high for Holy Springs High Schools lacrosse star.

John Muti (Goalie, Mountain Lakes NJ) is the spark plug goalie from the high school that many say may have the best lacrosse team in the nation. Coach Flynn's Mountain Lakes squad that is full of top talent. Muti is enjoying football right now as his team sits at 4-0. While in season Muti also plans to keep weighing his options for lacrosse looking at Ohio State, Bucknell, Rutgers, and Virginia among others.

Back again for week two Matt White (Attack, Ridgefield High School Conn.) the Virginia bound attackmen helped capture a huge win on the gridiron by taking down the defending state champs in Greenwich this past weekend. White was 11-16 with 180 yards, a TD and had 70 yards on 10 carries. HE continues to have a great season as Ridgefield continues putting up wins.

Down in Maryland we here from Gilman's all-star midfielder Jack Doyle(Midfield, Gilman MD) who will take his game to Harvard next year. He is rehabbing from an ankle sprain a few weeks back against Dematha Catholic. Doyle hopes to return to the gridiron for the homecoming game against Boys' Latin. Stay tuned to hear how his return was and how Gilman's football season is shaping up.

Quinn Haley (Midfield, Queen Anne's) continues to impress on the football field for Queen Anne's with another fourth quarter TD to help his team and the Triple Threat Award, which he has scooped up two of the last three weeks.

Helping Queen Anne's like last week is Jake Haley, (Goalie, Queen Anne's) posting over 100 yards all purpose and two rushing touchdowns of 28 and 40 yards. The brothers are heading to Princeton and Hopkins this week, they continue to have great trips and have a few more coming up, ESPN RISE will keep up to date with these future stars weekly.

Tobias Armour (Defense, Choate Rosemary Hall)will visit UVA this weekend and from Long Island.

John Urbank (Defense, Chaminade) posted big numbers as a wide receiver with seven catches for 101 yards. Check highlights out on http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/1050espnradio/preps/(play fourth quarter and scroll to the 42 minute mark) where John and his teammate (fellow lacrosse standout) Michael Ehrhardt get some good words as they were the difference in the game. Urbank has trips set to Notre Dame and Georgetown coming up and hopes to see Harvard and Yale in early December.

Connor English, Another Long Island standout headed to UVA next fall has been getting a boost from some impressive coaching in the off-season. English has been weight training with Steve Panzik a former US National Crew team member. To keep up with his speed/agility, English continues to train with a pair of former Olympic level athletes in Kevin Young and Ed Lovelace. Connor is making sure that even though he is not in a fall sport he is working out every bit as hard as if he was, if not more. Best of luck to our entire RISE UP boys as they navigate through the fall. This week ESPN RISE had to ask these top lacrosse stars what their favorite sports movie of all time is. Maybe you have some suggestions if so comment below.

ESPN RISE asked; What's your favorite sports Movie?

Connor English: Gridiron Gang
Gridiron gang- because it was a cool story on how these kids who were sent to jail were given the opportunity to take the challenge of football and how the kids ended up being better off as they left and began lives that were respectable. Also, because it had some sick football scenes.

Jack Doyle: Rudy.
My favorite sports movie would have to be Rudy because I have always loved Notre Dame football and it proves how anything can be accomplished with hard work

John Muti: The Waterboy
My favorite sports movie would probably have to be Waterboy. Adam Sandler is absolutely amazing in this movie. It is by far one of his best movies. Just the plot is even funny, a 31 year old man named Bobby Boucher a socially inept, stuttering waterboy with anger issues due to constant teasing. He uses "Tackling Fuel" to becomes the best linebacker in college football. It is an amazing film and is definitely one of my favorite movies period.

Frank Price II: Rocky 3
Rocky 3 My favorite sports movie would have to be Rocky 3.  Because even though he took a beating from Mr. T he never gave up and came back and doled out a beating.

Matt White: D1 Mighty Ducks
D1 Mighty Ducks, greatest rags to riches story ever.

Jake Haley: Caddyshack
I would have to say my favorite sports movie is probably Caddyshack, its a great movie overall with sports and humor combined.

Tobias Armour: Miracle
Jim O'Callahan's accent, and the pants that Herb Brooks wears are great!

Luke Armour:"When We Were Kings,"
My favorite sports movie is "When We Were Kings," a documentary about Muhammed Ali - Ali is one of my favorite athletes of all time and I love seeing where he got his inspiration. I like to think that if I watch it enough, I can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, too (or at least talk trash as well as he did).

Quinn Haley: Cool Runnings
Why:  Cool title, speed and adventure, tropical beaches and mountains of snow.. good underdog story.

John Urbank: "Hardball"
All the fun they had even though they were from a bad neighborhood but still won the ship, and Keanu Reeves turning into a better guy, and G Baby is a thug

By Brett Hughes

Week 1 of the ESPN RISE player tracker kicks off with some of the best high school lacrosse players weighing in with the best advice they have ever been given.
 
We will catch up with players weekly to discuss lacrosse and life and get to know these future college athletes a little better.

This past week in Maryland, brothers Quinn and Jake Haley, who are two-sport stars for Queen Anne's, helped lead their football team to a 5-0 start and a big come-from-behind win against Stephen Decatur High School.  The brothers are both "do everything players" for Queen Anne's team.

Last week, Quinn caught five passes for 90 yards -- including a 28-yard TD -- while causing the same type of noise on the defensive side of the ball.

Jake added over 100 yards rushing and receiving, including an 18-yard TD run. He also won the team's "Triple Threat Award" (for outstanding play on offense, defense and special teams). The bothers are currently tied for the team lead in interceptions. They also both had a chance to stop by some Division 1 power houses. Jake visited Virginia and watched the Maryland-UVa. football game. Quinn stopped by Maryland to catch an under-the-lights practice in College Park.

Up north, we catch up with some Division one bound athletes:

Matt White of Ridgefield High School helped his football team take down Staple, which not only marks another win for the Tigers of Ridgefield, but also marks the first time the school has beaten Staple in football by a score of 37-6. Ridgefield also sported its new Orange Jerseys, which White says was a surprise ... but well received. White is committed to UVa. and will be a freshman for Dom Starsia and the Wahoos next fall. Down the road a bit in Medford, N.J., Virginia commit and Shawnee High School super star football/lacrosse player Chris LaPierre continues to rack up big numbers while his team moves closer to the No. 1 spot in the state. So far, LaPierre leads the county with nine touchdowns on 459 yards rushing. His team is ranked No. 3 in the state and No. 1 in South Jersey. In addition to his on-field accomplishments, LaPierre was named the South Jersey Scholar-Athlete of the week.

	ESPN RISE
	Lawrenceville's Luke Armour is headed to Princeton next year.

Luke Armour of Lawrenceville is enjoying his offseason, but is keeping sharp so he can put together another strong spring season before leaving for Princeton to play for coach Bill Tierney. He hasn't had a lot of free time, however. Luke has worked hard over the past two years since transferring to Lawrenceville to found a branch of Kids Helping Kids, a unique community service organization that focuses on helping kids who have suffered catastrophic illnesses or injuries. He hopes to keep expanding the amazing organization in the Princeton and Lawrenceville areas.

Tobias Armour, an all-star defensemen from Choate (Wallingford, Conn.) continues to enjoy major success on the soccer field, where he has started on the varsity team since his freshman year. He also has a state cup with his premier club and has been playing with the Olympic developmental program.

Owen Van Arsdale, a junior attackman for St. Anne's Belfield, has been sidelined with a concussion for close to a month, but is looking to get back into uniform and play this week. ESPN RISE and the RISE UP boys want to wish him well. Owen will travel to Harvard after his game to visit with the coach Jeff Tambroni and spend some time in Cambridge.

ESPN RISE has also posed a question to the RISE UP boys in Week 1:

RISE: What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Owen Van Arsdale: The best advice I have ever been given was a note from one of my coaches, Dave Riddick, which outlined the concept of success and the elements to success.

Tobias Armour: "Pain heals, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever."

Luke Armour: Best advice ever given to me: When I was in 7th grade, I had a conversation with Ryan McClay who was a defenseman on the NJ Pride at the time. We were talking about work ethic, and his training regimen, and he told me that when he is feeling tired, or uninspired to work out, he thinks of all of his competition out working while he is not. Ever since he told me that, I've been inspired to never take a day off and to keep the image of a beast defender trying to kill me in my mind.

Jake Haley: My goalie coach (and others): "FOCUS.  Don't think about anything but saving the ball." It's simple but it's the best advice for me.

Chris LaPierre: "You have to be able to finish someone off and sooner or later you have to step on their throat, take their will away, and come out on top."

Quinn Haley: Coach Bohanon: "Ground balls are like blood. You need blood to live. You need ground balls to win."

Matt White: My mom once told me, "Life is 10 percent what happens to you, 90 percent how you react to it.

Frank Price II:  "There's Nothing wrong with loosing, Unless you like it"  -Tony Perna- 

Check back to see how the RISE UP boys are doing. If you have a question for the RISE UP boys, e-mail at brett.hughes@espn.com. Stay good and play hard.

ESPNRISE.com

Inside Lacrosse posted something that should wow any Lacrosse fan, that only Syracuse, Princeton, Virginia, and Johns Hopkins have won NCAA Championship's since 1991 when UNC held the trophy.

As we are based for the High School Lacrosse player, we at ESPN RISE want to hear what you think about this. Check out what people are saying on Inside Lacrosse and let's look into this deeper, where is the top talent now and why is it that these other schools cant crack this short list of four.

By Brett Hughes

Chris LaPierre has been on coach's radars for some time now. The nickname "Shocker might have been what they heard first. In a youth football game he was dubbed Shocker because of a massive hit he distributed to his opponent, one that youth league is not used to seeing. Chris has taken that same mentality he displayed at a young age and has become one of the top recruits in the land. He is headed to Virginia and his motivation and physical ability is coming with him.

	NELC/ESPN RISE
	Chris LaPierre (right) at the NIKE Elite Lacrosse Camp this summer.

Posted by Brett Hughes

The summer just ended and as Fall sports like football, tennis, soccer, and more heat up as the weather cools off.  Geoff Shannon of Inside Lacrosse gives an idea of the names we will see headlining next summer.  According to Shannon, it seems like this upcoming class should be strong, but even more so in attack and defense. 

It's a good opportunity to see if kids take that next step and become the player they are capable of being, we will be hearing from these kids through the year, keeping tabs on them and many more as they go through other sports and being preparing for the main stage of recruiting.