Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2018, Page 97

Description:	right: Sophomore WesShepard talks about hislacrosse experience whilehanging out at North.below: Wes Shepardmanages to not getscored on by histeammates during theteam scrimmage at theend of the season.MAMLACROSSErookie takes the hard hitsstory by Justina GrantImagine being outside in thirty degreetemperatures with unrelenting freezingrain drenching everything in its path forover two hours, while several guys withlong metal sticks sling a hard rubber ballthat reaches almost 100 mph right at you.Sounds pretty rough, right?-For Wes Shepard, this scenario wasis reality on March 24, 2018, when hesuited up for his first ever lacrosse matchagainst Bloomington South.I have to keep my head up if theyscore on me, I have to stay calm. Shepardhad said to himself at the start of thegame.Luckily, Shepard saved more goalsthan Souths goalie, so the Cougars startedrhe season with a win.Shepard said he knew very littleabout lacrosse at first.1 just knew you carried a stick andpassed a ball and scored goals, said thesophomore.Now. with his first season under hisbelt. Shepard is much more familiar witthe game. There are 1 Oguyspertearincluding 3 defenders, 3 midfielders orATecackers on offense, andgoalie - the latter being Shepards positionon the squad.They needed a goalie so I just saidId do it, Shepard said. The goalie beforeShepard was Jack Berkley, who graduatedlast year.Goal tending in lacrosse can meantaking a ton of hits. Shepard explainedthat he wears a throat guard, chest pad, ahelmet and a cup for protection. All ofthe players also wear protective gloves.According to Head Coach KenHoward, Shepard takes all kinds ofmassive hits with a smile on his face.All he cares about is playing hardand winning, said Howard. He nevercomplains. IjjFAfter he was awarded Rookie of theYear at the end of season banquet,Shepard said he has plans to continueplaying lacrosse for the remainder of hishigh school career. ^m iCoach has plans for Shepard as well.Ming to coach him so he doesntJrtna^nianyDruises next year,^said Howard.Curry, Solon Jeon, JosephBriback Row: Coach Dave Appel^Sweeney, Alec Appel, Jake Feigenbaum, Bryce Gray, Dillon Dayhoff§al Redden, Cody Hart, Coach Greg Winston, Coach Ken Howardjddle Row: Coach Jack Berkley, Ethan Berkley, Ryan Hunt, Jonahles, Noah Sheldon, Christian Gettelfinger, Layton Cockerham,B^han Efrom, Chad Hunt, Wes ShepardRow: Sam Franklin, Jhon Lennon, David Krieger, Matt Putmanabove: Senior Jake Feigenbaum go(ball against North Central High School^below: Freshman Ryan Hunt plays defense onSophomore Jonah Briles during the Alumni Game.J01 di ■% £7 %k(It: (-mm. \|.917 X^^^^zi\ imme;i•VJ£mJ n4Bc** tW-
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/8696
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

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