Shadow Ridge High School will be adding a new sport next spring season, lacrosse. After being approved by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA), lacrosse will officially become a varsity sport, giving students a new athletic opportunity on campus.
According to school administration, the addition comes directly from the NIAA’s decision to recognize lacrosse as a varsity level sport.
“The NIAA approved lacrosse to become a varsity sport, and so we are adding it to abide by that,” Coach Dubois explained.
The program is expected to include both boys and girls teams. Whether there will be varsity, junior varsity, or both levels depending on student interest and participation numbers.
“To my understanding, we’ll be able to go into both, depending on the interest and the numbers that we’re able to get,” Coach Dubois shared.
Right now, preparation for the launch is focused on generating interest across campus. Administrators are working to promote the sport to both boys and girls before creating an official interest form. Once enough students express interest, workouts and skills training sessions will begin at the start of next school year.
Students do not need prior lacrosse experience to try out. Open tryouts will be available and anyone can join as long as they meet district eligibility requirements.
For sophomore Hunter Roe, the addition of lacrosse to Shadow Ridge athletics is something he has been waiting for. Roe has played lacrosse since he was young and is excited to finally see the sport come to his school.
“I’ve been playing lacrosse my whole life, so having a team at Shadow Ridge is really exciting,” Roe said. “It’s a fast paced sport and it’s really fun to watch and play.”
Roe also believes the new team will give more students the opportunity to try something different.
“A lot of people haven’t played before, but once they try it they usually love it, it’s like a mix of football and soccer,” he said. “It’s a great team sport and everyone works together.”
While winning is always a goal in athletics, the focus for the first season goes beyond just scores.
Coach Dubois states, “Obviously, I think everyone wants to win, but I really want to expose everyone to the sport and introduce them to it. We have awesome students and athletes here at Shadow Ridge that I think we can go and compete in our first year.”
The addition of lacrosse is expected to positively impact school spirit and student involvement. As a new and exciting sport, it offers students another way to participate and gives the student body something new to support.
“It’s something new and exciting for everyone to get excited about,” Coach Dubois said.
With open opportunities and high hopes for the first season, lacrosse is set to bring fresh energy to Shadow Ridge next year.
