By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 1/6/16
Tommy Barnhorst said there was no way Team USA (Ohio) could come back from the Brogden Cup last week at the University of Tampa with anything but great memories – win or lose.
“Being able to compete in the Brogden Cup at Tampa University while wearing the red, white, and blue was a great experience,” said the Team USA 2016 LSM from Sycamore. “It was a huge honor to be able to represent Ohio and America as well.
“Despite losing our games I will never forget participating in such an event. At the end of the day I’m proud to be an American.”
Barnhorst and his teammates qualified for the Brogden Cup as Team USA by winning the Brine National Lacrosse Classic last summer Midlothian, VA., in what many considered a surprise as the first team from out of the Mid-Atlantic region to win the event. At the Brogden Cup, team USA dropped two games in a best-of-three series to Team Canada (All-Stars from Ontario) and then fell to a Florida All-Star team that only lost to Canada by a goal after leading in the final minutes.
Click here for a story on Team Canada after winning the Brogden Cup.
Despite the losses, Barnhorst said his teammates played like winners.
“Playing together again with this team was a great time that brought back spectacular memories,” he said, “It’s fun to hang out and play with some of the guys that I compete against during the spring season in the local area. There are so many talented guys on the team that play unselfish fundamental lacrosse and it’s an honor to compete with them.
“We all clicked on and off the field and that’s how we found our success last summer during the Brine National Lacrosse Classic,” added Barnhorst, who is signed with Jacksonville. “We came up short against Canada and in the exhibition game, but I believe that if we had just a little more time playing together the outcome could have been different. I’ll always remember playing with this squad and the good times we shared on and off the field.”
What did Barnhorst learn from the experience?
“It was my first time playing full field lacrosse at a high competition in a long time so while playing I was able to recognize some of my strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “I’ll take the rest of the offseason that I have left to focus on the things that I need to improve on and I’ll get ready for the spring season.
“Playing against Canada also gave me a whole new perspective on how the game of lacrosse can be played and I’ll utilize that this upcoming Spring.”
Other interviews from team USA:
Mason Schmeling, 2016 MF, Hilliard Darby, committed to Ohio Northern
How was it to compete in that venue and environment for your country?
Schmeling: “Yes it was disappointing to come up short, but representing my country on that big of a stage was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Schmeling said. “The university of Tampa has first class facilities.”
How did you enjoy playing together again and what will you remember most about the event?
Schmeling: “Our chemistry was one of the keys to our success at the Brine tournament so it was great to have the opportunity to play with this team again. The thing that I will remember the most is what is actually takes to compete at such a high level, along with the friendships I have made with my teammates.”
What did you learn from the event that will help you in preparing for the spring season?
Schmeling: “I learned that I could never put in too much time and effort to perfect my craft. And I am looking forward to crossing paths with some of my teammates during the spring season.”
Peter Klamar, 2017 DEF, Upper Arlington
How was it to compete in that venue and environment for your country?
Klamar: “The venue was incredible. Tampa has great facilities and Florida weather is always nice. It terms of competition, playing against these older Canadian players was great exposure to a different style of lacrosse that we don’t see much here in the US. I really had use my feet more than my checks to play defense. It was an honor to represent my country and it’s definitely an experience I won’t forget.”
How did you enjoy playing together again and what will you remember most about the event?
Klamar: “It was a great change of pace to go from these recruiting events where I don’t know anyone I’m playing with to playing with this team that I felt has the best chemistry of any team I’ve played on. We just really clicked, especially in the defense. We didn’t get the result we wanted but that came with both the different federation rules and the lack of exposure to this Canadian style of play. The thing I’m going to remember most is the way this team of people who hardly knew each came together so quickly to become one of the best teams I’ve played on.”
What did you learn from the event that will help you in preparing for the spring season?
Klamar: “Playing against these Canadians with amazing stick protection, I definitely learned to stop throwing checks that put me out of position and to focus on playing with my feet and body. I also had to improve my off ball play to keep track of their constantly shifting offense. These all can transfer into my spring season with Upper Arlington.”
