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.

Name: Chris LaPierre
High School: Shawnee HS, Medford NJ
Travel/Club Team: Tri-State Lacrosse
Position: Midfield
 
ESPN RISE: What first got you interested in the sport of Lacrosse?
Chris LaPierre: I started in 4th grade because my brother played the year before that and it looked like a fun sport.

ESPN RISE: Do you play other sports?
CL: I also play football for my high school and play in a CYO basketball league.

ESPN RISE: What do you love about the game?
CL: What I love most about the game is the fast pace along with the physical contact.  Being a football guy it's always fun playing a sport where you're allowed to make some hard contact.

ESPN RISE: Have coaches contacted you?
CL: I'm looking forward to playing next year at the University of Virginia.

ESPN RISE: Who is your favorite Athlete?
CL: My favorite athlete is Tiger Woods.  The way he dominates the sport is enjoyable to watch.

ESPN RISE: What do you hope to accomplish with Lacrosse?
CL: With lacrosse I hope to Win a national championship at Virginia, get a nice degree, maybe play in the MLL for a lil, and get a job with a lax company.

ESPN RISE: What motivates you?
CL: Being told I can't accomplish something motivates me.  I'm a very competitive person so as soon as someone says it's unlikely for me to accomplish something; I strive even harder to do it.

ESPN RISE: What advice do you have to a young laxer just starting out?
CL: Advice I'd give to a young laxer is to play multiple sports, especially football.  Football provided me with the size and speed needed to play D1 lax.

ESPN RISE: What do people not know about you?
CL: People probably don't know I was a D1 football prospect.  My top choices for football we Penn State, Ohio State, and Rutgers.