The 2015
Utah State University men’s lacrosse team has the most out-of-state players it
has ever had in its history. A team that has traditionally been filled with
athletes from all around the state of Utah now has more players from outside of
the state than it does from within.
“The 2015
team represents 28 high schools from nine different states from California to
New York,” said USU head coach Jon Atwood. “We have 16 players from out of
state and 13 in-state players.”
Since 2006
USU has had players from out of Utah on its roster, but it wasn’t until 2013
when the numbers really started to increase significantly. USU had 11 out-of-state
players in 2013 and then 13 the following year.
“A big
appeal of Utah State is its campus life and small town atmosphere, it attracts
players from all over the country,” Atwood said. “The out-of-state players
bring a diverse range of experience, skill and personality. The culture of
Aggie lacrosse has become a unique brotherhood.”
One of the
players who is a part of that diverse brotherhood is Blade Garlow. Garlow, who
leads the team in points per game this season, is from Medina, New York, and has
been an integral part of the USU lacrosse team, according to Atwood.
“Coach
Atwood gave me a chance, he helped me with the acceptance process and gave me a
shot I thought I had lost,” Garlow said. “I love Logan, it’s beautiful.”
Garlow, a
junior at USU who recently scored five goals and had four assists in a win against
the College of Idaho, was the former Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference rookie
of the year in 2013, and said he will be back next season to finish his
collegiate career at USU.
As the
number of out-of-state players at USU continues to increase, so do the number of
wins. In 2012 when USU had only two out-of-state players on its roster the team
had an overall record of 4-6. In comparison to this past season when USU went
8-4.
This season the Aggies have started off 4-3 and are ranked 17th in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association.
“My expectations for this season are higher than they’ve ever been before,” Atwood said.
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