As the end of the year approaches, many seniors are getting excited to decide on where they want to spend the next four years of their lives. From big SEC schools to small private ones, the interests of all students vary. Though most students will take the traditional route and start their college experience right after high school, senior Marty Hippel has different intentions.
Starting this fall, Hippel will be entering another year of high school at a prep school in Hudson, Ohio called Western Reserve Academy (WRA). As a member and captain of the LFHS Men’s Lacrosse Team, Hippel’s dream has always been to further his lacrosse career into college. However, the recruiting process was not easy.
“One of the main reasons that led me to my decision was that I wasn’t really happy with the looks I was getting recruiting wise. I had some Division III offers, but I wasn’t sold on any of them,” said Hippel. “Recruiting was a frustrating experience to say the least. I just felt like I wasn’t getting noticed even though I had the talent.”
Despite the difficulties of getting noticed, WRA was an opportunity for Hippel to start over and get another shot at taking his talents to the collegiate level. By attending, he will be able to reclass to the 2026 grade level and have another chance at getting recruited.
“It has been my dream since I was little to play lacrosse at the Division I level, and I’m hoping that Western Reserve can help me accomplish that. I want to find the right college that I’m genuinely excited to play at,” said Hippel. “I also want our team at Western Reserve to be one of the top teams in the country and win the tournaments that we play in. I am hoping to make some new friends and lasting memories along the way.”
With so many other prep school options, WRA stood out the most to Hippel for reasons such as having coaches with connections and playing with other skilled and competitive athletes to strengthen his abilities.
Fellow senior captain Lucas Kroner agrees that Hippel will only progress in his lacrosse career at WRA.
“He will excel in every way and have time to focus on lacrosse instead of all the other sports he normally does at the high school. He will also dominate playing with some of the best players in the country on his team,” said Kroner.
Although Hippel’s journey to Ohio is right around the corner, he still has his upcoming season of high school lacrosse that he is preparing for. As 2024 state champions, the team is ready to come back even stronger and take on another title in 2025.
The team is hoping to climb their way back up to the championship, but as the sport of lacrosse continues to grow, so do the skills of all of the players.
“There are lots of outstanding teams and Division I players that we will face off against. I think that competing for a state title against some really talented teams will only make me stronger as a player,” said Hippel. “The experience you gain from playing in meaningful lacrosse games is something that can’t be replicated through practice.”
While the team has high hopes for their season, the younger teammates can’t help but try to enjoy every moment they have left with the seniors.
Sophomore captain Emmett Lee is entering his second year on varsity lacrosse with Hippel. As they are excited to work side by side this season, Lee says he will miss Hippel for reasons such as his strong “energy that he brings” to the team.
“Marty is always teaching people and willing to take tips from others to improve his game,” said Lee. “He always makes practice so fun and having a teammate like that makes lacrosse a lot more enjoyable.”
As Hippel braces himself for a thrilling high school season and his next four years at WRA, he is confident in his abilities and knows he can be a strong leader on both of his teams. Although his road to success is starting out a little differently, his goals are clear and his future is bright.
