The sun has barely made its way over the horizon as cars begin to pull into the athletic lot. Light reflects off the dew coating the trucks and SUVs that move through the empty area. After parking, the boys exit their cars, pausing to make sure they have all their gear. They stifle yawns as they make their way to the awaiting bus. Seats are filled, heads are counted, and the four-hour drive to Michigan begins.
The HSE Boys Lacrosse team is known for their skill, having won state three out of the last four years. But their continued success isn’t the only thing that sets this team apart from others at HSE, it’s also their travel schedule.
From conference games to out-of-state tournaments, the boys’ lacrosse team spends over 26 hours traveling in a season. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly the same amount of time as four days of school. You may be wondering, “Why is all this travel necessary for a high school team?” But when you’re playing at this level, it’s the only choice if you want to improve.
Looking at the HSE Boys Lacrosse team’s current record, the only losses so far have come from long-haul away matches. Stats from MaxPreps.com show that the team’s two losses during an otherwise stellar 11–2 season were against non-conference opponents.
“Playing these teams has been harder, but it’s allowed us to figure out what we need to work on and where our weaknesses are,” junior Marcus Laux said.
The long bus rides have also helped team camaraderie and chemistry bloom. Hours spent in the confined seats of a traveling bus have only brought the team closer together. This time together has created unbreakable bonds and fond memories for the players.
“The bus ride home from state, when Coach O started singing—that was probably the funniest moment,” senior Nick Webber said, reflecting on his time with HSE Boys Lacrosse.
Though these far-away tournaments have been grueling for the team, the players know they’re worthwhile.
“We are always working to be the best we can be. If we want to win state, we can’t hold back,” Laux said.
