By Madeleine Nichols
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 2/9/14
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Christian Jenkins, a 2015 defenseman from East Grand Rapids wanted the best competition possible when he tried out with more than 50 others Saturday for the Michigan team that will compete this summer at the Brine National Lacrosse Classic.
“I tried out for the team because I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to try something new and expand my horizons,” said Jenkins of the regional tryout held at the University of Michigan’s Oosterbaan Field House.
This week Brine NLC officials will release the Michigan roster for the event, which will be held July 1-3 at Boyds, Md. The event features more than 20 boys’ teams and more than 12 girls’ teams from around the country, as well as Freshman and Middle School Academy tournaments.
Jenkins, who plays club lacrosse for Heat, was hopeful he’ll land a spot on the team.
“My positioning went really well and I feel like I had some good clears and some good on-ball defense,” he said.
“I learned from this event that I have to practice the basics. The basics will get me to where I want to go. And to just keep trying hard.”
What is he looking for in a college program? “I am looking for a new experience,” he said. “I am also looking for a new start hopefully joining a team that just started a program, starting a legacy somewhere.”
Comments from other candidates:
Logan Buchler, Mattawan, 2016 midfielder
Club Team: BJ Bandits
Why did you try out for the team? “I thought it would be a good experience to be around other great players in the area and see how I matched up against them.”
What went well today for you at the tryouts? “I feel like the chemistry with the people I’ve never played with was really good. I’m just hoping to make the team and see where we can go from there.”
What are you looking for in a college program? “A business college and then just good teammates that I can rely on no matter what.”
What did you learn from this event that will help you this season? “Just to keep working hard and never give up.”
Andrew Clay, Forest Hills Central, 2016 defenseman
Club Team: Juiced Cherries
Why did you try out for the team? “I just thought it would be a good experience to go out on the East Coast and get some more competition.”
What went well today for you at the tryouts? “My clears and one-on-one defense.”
What are you looking for in a college program? “A successful program at a school that has a good psychology department.”
What did you learn from this event that will help you this season? “To meet new people and just be social at these kind of events.”
Devon Callaghan, Detroit Country Day School, 2015 midfielder, committed to play lacrosse at the University of Detroit
Club Team: Chesapeake Rock Lacrosse Club
Why did you try out for the team? “I thought it would be good to represent Michigan if I made it and just have a good time and play some lax.”
What went well today for you at the tryouts? “My shots went in every time that I took shots and I had some good assists. I thought I played well.”
What did you learn from this event that will help you this season? “I saw a lot of guys on teams that we will be playing this year and I realized it is going to be hard because a lot of them are good; so we’ll see what happens.”
Owen Sappington, Detroit Country Day School, 2016 midfielder
Club Team: Juiced Cherries
Why did you try out for the team? “I felt like the event that this team is going to is a good chance to get exposure to college coaches.”
What went well today for you at the tryouts? “I thought I had a few good shots and a few good passes.”
What are you looking for in a college program? “A program that is successful and has tradition.”
What did you learn from this event that will help you this season? “To work harder because I see all the competition that is out there.”