Courtesy of Heidi Van Doren

Youth lacrosse is growing by leaps and bounds throughout the Eastside and Seattle; it is the fastest growing sport in the United States. Locally, this phenomenon was celebrated by athletes from kindergarten-age through high school in the Inglemoor Lacrosse Club’s homecoming.

The club recently hosted a full-day event at Inglemoor High School to celebrate lacrosse and their Viking season. In addition to athletes’ family and friends, several area leaders showed up to help the club celebrate: David Baker, mayor of Kenmore; Andy Rheaume, mayor of Bothell; Davina Duerr, deputy mayor of Bothell; Jennifer Phillips, city manager of Bothell; James McNeal, Bothell City Council member and Inglemoor Lacrosse Club president; Bothell Chief of Police, Carol Cummings; and Lane Cook, deputy mayor of Woodinville.

Inglemoor school boundaries cross the city boundaries of Bothell, Kenmore and Woodinville. Dr. Michelle Reid, superintendent of Northshore School District, also attended. After watching a lacrosse game, Dr. Reid thanked the students for their hard work, and remarked to them that lessons in character that the athletes learn as teammates will help them all through life.

Homecoming not only hosted lacrosse games with area competitors, high school players helped younger players practice their skills at five carnival-style lacrosse games; Ground Ball, Drop in the Bucket, Longest Yard, Rage Cage and Speed Demon. For the latter, the Bothell Police Department loaned its speed gun to the club to measure lacrosse ball throwing speeds for athletes. Speeds ranged from 21 mph for one preschool girl, to 81 mph for a high schooler. Prizes were given for top athletes in each age category.

After every game, athletes in the lacrosse league on elementary-school age teams participated in “Honor the Game,” an activity in which youth captains recognize remarkable actions by players on the opposing team. “Great sportsmanship, incredible hustle, controlled cradling,” are examples. Cradling is a lacrosse skill in which a player “cradles” the ball in their lacrosse stick, protecting the ball from the competing athlete.

The club will participate in the annual Stanwood Lacrosse Tournament along with many other teams from Western Washington on June 3 to end its spring season. The club will host a send-off/fundraiser lunch at the Bothell park, formerly named Wayne Golf Course, at noon on June 2.

Although the main season is spring, “Fall Ball” is another opportunity for area children to join the Inglemoor Lacrosse Club. For those who are interested in joining lacrosse, boys and girls teams are available at all levels. Contact info@ilclub.org for more information.

From left, Inglemoor junior Jack Nichols and kindergartner Mathias Lowe. Courtesy photo

From left, Jarron Austin of the Inglemoor 3/4 team poses with James McNeal and Bothell Police Chief Carol Cummings. Courtesy photo

From left, James McNeal, Dr. Michelle Reid, Woodinville Deputy Mayor Lane Cook, Bothell Deputy Mayor Davina Duerr and Kenmore Mayor David Baker. Courtesy photo