Every Friday morning before school starts, the Lake Forest Boys Lacrosse Team meets behind LFHS for a run. There is no attendance taken or requirement to show up; the players do it on their own. What started as a small group years ago has turned into a team-wide tradition that now plays a huge role in the program’s success. Over the past two years, Lake Forest Lacrosse has won back-to-back state championships—some players even say that these Friday morning runs are one of the main reasons why.
The weekly runs begin in August and end before tryouts in March. The team leaves from the back of the school and runs down to Lake Forest Beach. At the beach, some of the players jump into the lake, even in the middle of winter. The water is freezing, but it wakes everyone up and adds a level of challenge to the morning. Sometimes the team even swims or treads water for a few minutes before making their way back to school. The goal of these runs is not just to train or get in a little bit of cardio, but to build discipline and accountability. By the time the sun rises, the players know they have already done something that will pay off later on.
Junior captain Emmet Lee—committed to Cornell University for lacrosse—said the early mornings show who is most dedicated.
“The 6:00 a.m. runs aren’t the hardest thing in the world, but they show you’re committed and help everyone get closer,” said Lee.
For Lee and the other leaders on the team, these runs are a way to make sure the team keeps the same standard that has made them successful the past two years.
Former Captain Lucas Kroner—who now plays Division I Men’s Lacrosse at Lafayette College—explained that these mornings taught him habits that helped him play at a higher level.
“Getting used to waking up early, pushing through tough situations, and holding yourself accountable are the same traits that lead to championships,” said Kroner.
Senior Captains Cole Pezza and Fin Michael said the runs are what keep the team connected.
“The Friday runs not only reveal passion and character for this year’s team, but they also bring us together and create a lot of team chemistry,” said Pezza. “You can feel the energy growing every week. Those runs show who really wants it. Everyone out there on a cold Friday morning is proving their dedication to the team, and the more we push ourselves now, the better we will perform in the season.”
Michael agreed, explaining that the runs are about more than just conditioning.
“I think they build a strong bond because it’s hard to wake up early and go on a run, especially when it’s cold and in the middle of winter,” said Michael. “This hardship really strengthens the bond between the players, and the fact that we do it as a group helps us keep each other accountable and makes it easier to wake up.”
When the players return to the high school, they have already put in more effort than most. The Friday morning runs are not mandatory, but they’ve become a huge part of what makes the team who they are. They show the drive and commitment that have helped the Lake Forest lacrosse team win back-to-back state championships.
