Conference Previews for the 2022 season - RMAC and Peach Belt

SPEAKER_04 0:04

Welcome, welcome, welcome to another episode of In the Crease with Danny and Kevin, a coast-to-coast discussion of D2 Men's lacrosse. I'm your co-host, Kevin Stenstrom, and joining me as always, the Ageless Wonder Danny Moran. Happy New Year, Danny. A couple days early, but happy new year.

SPEAKER_03 0:24

Happy New Year to you too, Kevin. I hope you had a wonderful holiday, and I hope the new year brings you and the Stenstrom family all joy and happiness in the upcoming year. I really do mean that from the bottom of my heart.

SPEAKER_04 0:35

Well, I appreciate that. And right back to your family. You know, what's great about this though, Danny, is heading into the new year, we still get to talk about D2 Men's lacrosse. Yep. And to make it even extra special, we are serving up a double dose tonight as we preview the RMAC and the Peach Belt. So, you listeners out there, after you ring in the new year, or if you can't wait that long, because it'll be out on December 30th, sit back, relax, and find out what these conferences have in store for 2022. So, with that, Danny, what do you say? You want to start it off with the RMAC?

SPEAKER_03 1:09

The rule whatever you want to do, Kev. You want to go back to the city. Rocky Mountain RMAC athletic conference. Yeah, the RMAC. Only four teams in the RMAC have that's a conference that they played each other twice. Each team played each other twice. So, you know, um Colorado Mesa went five and oh in conference last year and went nine and two overall. They were the conference, you know, they were the top dogs in the conference. Uh Westminster was right behind them. Yeah. Three and two in conference and seven five. But guess who won the championship?

SPEAKER_04 1:46

They did after losing to CMU just the week before.

SPEAKER_03 1:50

That's correct. That was that what a week that they had, the Westminster Griffins, you know. What a week. Um, then you have Colorado State University at Pebble Pueblo. Uh they went two and two last year, three and five overall, only eight games in that in their season, you know, some games uh due to COVID and whatnot, cancellation. So um, and then poor, poor Adam State. They they had a big tough, they had a tough year, Kev.

SPEAKER_04 2:18

They went yeah, they've been struggling. Oh and nine. Big go big old goose egg in the in the conference as well, right? So that's gotta hurt. That's gotta hurt. Yep. Now they they've gotta, we'll get to it. We'll get to it. Why don't we start off with um Colorado Mesa?

SPEAKER_03 2:33

Yeah, the Mavericks.

SPEAKER_04 2:34

To me, they seem stacked. They have a fairly young team. They did great last year. They handled the RMAC opponents fairly easily, but then they, like you said, they lost to Westminster in the championship. But they are bringing back their team was like freshmen and sophomores. You know, their face-off percentage was incredible last year, 70%, and they're bringing back the same face-off specialists.

SPEAKER_03 2:59

And that's huge. And they got scorers coming back, you know. Uh Hunter Holcomb's coming back, um uh James Stankey and and and Jed Brumley, Blummet. I can't even see it, but they their top scorers are coming back. They're they're a good squad, Kev. They're a good squad. They were ranked at the end of the year uh number 20th in the country.

SPEAKER_04 3:21

Yeah, I think they were seventh, seventh in the NCAA rankings, you know, even though they they didn't make make it to the tournament.

SPEAKER_03 3:29

Right. Coach Coach Vin Smith, he does one heck of a job with those guys out there west of the uh west of the Mississippi.

SPEAKER_04 3:38

Yeah, and I will tell you, based on who they're bringing back, not only on the offensive side, but on the defensive side, they're bringing back some folks that they had last year that were staunch on defense. I personally don't see how you beat them in the in the RMAC. And I think what it's gonna come down to is they're out of out of conference schedule to getting into the NCAA tournament.

SPEAKER_03 4:00

Well, that's a biggie for them, and they always come out east. I mean, last year they came out east and lost to Mount Olive in overtime. Um, Mount Olive was ranked eighth or tenth in the country at the time. Um that game, if you ask me, the Mavericks got they got robbed. Um it was a they were up by five at half, and uh Mount Olive kept chipping and chipping, and then there was like a like I think there was five goals scored in the last three minutes and thirty-six seconds of that game. And it went back and forth. Yeah, and then um um Colorado Mesa got called for a check and went man down with like a minute left. And and they scored and and tied the game up, and then Mavericks came out on the very ensuing possession on the face-off and came back and scored again, like right off the it was just a one of those great games that and Colorado Mesa is one of those teams, Kev, that we talked about, they're west of the Mississippi, you know, and w those coaches you know talked about their their recruiting. Their recruiting isn't the same as the guys on the east. They really have to do a crazy job to get guys to come out there. And and Coach Vince Smith really has done a great job. And he what he does is get those out-of-conference schedules, you know, he beefs them up with and he comes out east to play those dogs. And I give him a lot of credit for that.

SPEAKER_04 5:26

Yeah, actually, I think this year in 2022, as you look down the the different teams, they've built pretty good out-of-conference schedules. If you look at Westminster, let's move over to them and the Griffins. 75 in 2021. They beat uh Montevello and and Uah, and then they lost to Mercyhurst. They lost to CMU twice, but then they beat them in the championship, like we talked about. And I've got to wonder if that provides them a little fuel for this year. As we talked to Coach Kerwin about it, right? They kind of figured some things out. They let them play a little bit looser and it worked. Then you add in their very strong out of conference with teams like Lynn, Rollins, Belmont Abbey, and Mount Olive. Yeah. That that really that southeastern swing will be telling for them.

SPEAKER_03 6:13

Absolutely. But that's what they want. You know, that's what they need. We don't have automatic qualifiers in Division II. So in order for these schools to get those, you know, those those power points or those index points, they have to they have to travel and they're gonna have to play those bigger, bigger dogs out of conference. And that's what's gonna help them in the long run.

SPEAKER_04 6:34

Exactly. The only thing I could see from their stats from last year that I think they need some improvement is man up. They were only at 14%. And so when they get those chances, they need to put it in the back of the net. And I think that will help them. I think they're gonna build on that. I think they're gonna have a better chance. And like I said, for both CMU and Westminster, I think they're out of conference gonna be really telling when they uh as they get back into the RMAC.

SPEAKER_03 7:00

Oh, I agree a hundred percent. A hundred percent.

SPEAKER_04 7:02

Now, Westminster, just to go with that, they get some of their top, their top four scores are returning too is Spencer Winery, Gabe Mine, Merritt McMahon, and and Doni Odencrant. So they've got um some strong players coming back, along with they lost a strong LSM and Chance Butler, but they still have Carson Caps in that role coming right behind them. So they've got some players. I just still it'll be interesting to see them. It'll be great, it'll be fun to watch them. That's a game to watch. Westminster, Colorado Mesa again this year.

SPEAKER_03 7:31

Oh, absolutely. There's no love lost between those two guys, for sure, for sure. Hey, you know what? And Westminster's got a tough schedule. They got to come out east. They they're going to Florida, they're going to Alabama, they got some big dogs on their schedule. So uh maybe they can take that next step in conference.

SPEAKER_04 7:51

Yeah, yeah, exactly. So let's move on to CSU Pueblo, the Thunder Wolves.

SPEAKER_03 7:56

The Thunder Wolves, the Thunderwolves. That's a cool name, actually.

SPEAKER_04 8:03

Yeah, it is great. So they were three and five last year, like you said, and they were uh in conference. What were they in conference?

SPEAKER_03 8:10

In conference, uh, let's see. Where's my uh in conference? They were two and two. And they were three and five altogether. They only had a lot of.

SPEAKER_04 8:28

Yes, you know, and they've got some things they got to fix. Their goals per game were 8.5, while their you know goals against averages are 13.5 faceoffs, too. Faceoffs as well. And and that's to be expected in somewhat when you see teams with losing records. You see that a lot, right? So there's things that they've got to fix, but they've got some scores returning. Connor Owen, Trenton Steele, Logan Wells, Balter Wells coming back.

SPEAKER_03 8:52

Yeah, and they're gonna be you know, one more year under their belt, and you know, another year stronger, another year bigger. Um, it's only gonna that's that'll be good. Let's see. I I look to see what their schedule looked like for this year, but their 2022 schedule has not been posted yet.

SPEAKER_04 9:07

I think it'll be interesting to see once again who they play out of conference that may help them build and to be able to compete against Westminster and maybe see you.

SPEAKER_03 9:16

Right. I agree with you.

SPEAKER_04 9:17

And then Adam State.

SPEAKER_03 9:19

The Grizzlies.

SPEAKER_04 9:22

Now, they were 0-9, and to be honest, they really weren't close in any game. But look, their out of conference this year is pretty interesting. They've got teams like Air Force, Lindenwood, and Rockhurst, as well as Quincy. So that could help them develop for their future. I don't I don't see them really competing in this conference again, but you know, their coaches in his fourth season, with 2019 being his first. So maybe, you know, it's a building year.

SPEAKER_03 9:49

I only saw nine games on their schedule, only nine that I saw posted. I may be wrong, but as of right now, I only it's not a full schedule yet, too. Okay, it's possible. I only saw nine on their schedule. So I don't know what's up with Adam State. They're gonna have to get their act together a little bit, it seems like.

SPEAKER_04 10:10

Yeah, you know, one of the main things I saw in their stats is they only took about 25 shots per game when their opponents were at about 52. You know, playing defense all game. Right. Yeah, you're playing defense all game, you're you're losing the ground ball race, you're c and cause turnovers by a wide margin. That with the the shots that is a recipe for disaster in a lot of ways. So they've got to win those.

SPEAKER_03 10:37

Makes for a long day, kind of.

SPEAKER_04 10:39

And your face off percentage is only at 25%. So you're you're starting on defense a lot.

SPEAKER_03 10:43

So you're gonna have to start there, coach.

SPEAKER_04 10:47

Yeah, I think that's the key. Start there, or you get a better you get your defense. Maybe they're some of them are young, they've got some that need to be anchors on their D, Matt Fuss, Declan Larm. They they need to or Declan Larm, they need to be the anchors and you know, hold down so that they can get back on offense.

SPEAKER_03 11:07

Right, and just be leaders and and get yep, yep. Couldn't agree more.

SPEAKER_04 11:11

So that's probably the quick and dirty on all four teams. But guess what, Danny? We are lucky tonight to have one of those coaches with us coming tonight to visit us, uh, Coach Vin Smith of CMU. Hey coach, how you doing tonight?

SPEAKER_01 11:27

I'm doing great.

SPEAKER_03 11:28

Thank you guys for having me. I appreciate it. Hey coach, thank you so much for taking the time to come on with us tonight. We really appreciate it. Um we're talking about the RMAC tonight, and we're so glad that you could come on and uh share your thoughts with us, coach. We really appreciate it. For sure. Looking forward to it.

SPEAKER_04 11:48

So, coach, uh just from my perspective, you have racked up a really impressive record at Colorado Mesa with four conference championships and one NCA appearance. And last year you still ended up like seventh in the rankings in the South region. I I think I may know the answer to this question as I was looking at what your roster is and looking at your stats and where you're going for 2022. But I think I know the answer to this question, but I still want to I don't want to put my words into your mouth, so I'm gonna ask it anyway. What do you think it will take to get back to the NCAAs? And how close do you feel you are?

SPEAKER_01 12:27

You know, I think that uh it it's Division II is is an interesting beast with the lack of an automatic qualifier, everything being NCAA point. Um, you know, I I've been on the different types of committees that have kind of looked at some of the data and such. Um, you know, so I think that the what what it's gonna take to get us back there is almost a perfect season, almost, you know, and that's something that we talk a ton about out here in the West, uh, whether it's myself or you know, Kevin over at uh at Rockhurst or you know, any of the other coaches in the RMAC. Um, just that to get in from a Western side of things is really, really challenging. And you almost do need to um go almost undefeated. So you look at the year we made it in 18. Uh, we lost two games back to back, but we had some really, really great wins. Um, so I think that you know, we've just got to make sure that we're taking care of as much of the business as we can. We've got to beat the teams we should beat. Um, and in a sense, there's no such thing as style points, but there almost is because there's a lot of conversation in those RAC committees, uh the regional advisory committees on, you know, how bad a team won or how, you know, what the what was it, a home game and away game. So I think that's part of what we need to do is just win as many games as as we possibly can that uh they all matter, but the big ones, you know, the Tampa's this upcoming year, the games against uh Rollins early in the season and Alabama Huntsville, you know, those are games that that all matter to us. And then obviously we need to uh sweep the RMAC and handle the RMAC, which is something that um, you know, hasn't really gone in our favor the past few years. Um the second part of your question is how close are we? Um it's it's Division II lacrosse. So I'd love to say that we're really, really close, but you know, you don't have the depth that you have at the Division I level. Um, you don't have the same type of budget. And what I mean by that is, you know, when we do fly to these games, we're only bringing 32 guys. And so you're really picking who looks really good that week of practice or two weeks leading into a game. And um, you know, you sometimes leave home extra bodies that when you're driving to games, um you have the luxury of having a few more people with you. And so um I think that that that we're there. I think we're right there on the cusp. Um, I think we were right there in 2020. Um, you know, we went 7-0 that season and we were looking really good heading into a game against Tampa. Um, and you know, I think that if we can kind of get back to playing free and fun and and trusting of one another, um, I think that we we are right there. It's just gotta stay healthy, uh, got to make the right decisions uh in the right moments. Um but you know, you you know the answer to the question. The the the the getting into the the NCAA tournament is all based off of doing as well as you can at a conference, and then you got to really sweep a Western conference to get in. And um, and and you know, we haven't had that much success with that in the past previous years uh with the Westminster continuing to improve. So um, but that's what it's gonna take. I think we're there. Um, we just got to put it together week in and week out, day in and day out.

SPEAKER_03 15:48

Uh I think an obstacle that you might have, you know, this year coming. You have seven games on the road, and you're coming to Florida, you're going to Alabama, you're going to South Carolina, you're going to be playing Tampa, you're playing the Beach Beach Belt Conference, you're playing the Sunshine State Conference, you're playing the SAC, and you're playing the GLVC. Coach, you've lined yourself one heck of a uh of a schedule up.

SPEAKER_01 16:16

Yeah, we we were able to uh, you know, with COVID being what it was last year and not being able to get out on the road, um, you know, we really talked a ton within our athletic department and convincing our school to just at least let our kids have as uh normal of a school year and season as possible this year. And so we did. We uh we didn't hold back. We're we're taking two flight trips, which is pretty typical for us, but we don't normally play um seven total games on the road. We normally do five to six. Um so we've picked up an extra game or two. We've also given ourselves an extra day off from school, um, which the university has been fantastic about, creating that opportunity for us to miss a few extra days. Uh the kids will still do study hall and things like that on the road. Um but you know, we we have the flexibility to get out there, and that is what it takes, is is, you know, it maybe you don't have as good of a run of it in the in the in the you know sunshine conference, but maybe you do in the peach belt and and in the GLVC, and you can kind of show to people, you know, we we've kind of touched on a bunch of these different conferences and and tried to show that we're as good or on par or hopefully um better. And um, you know, this this this process is really humbling trying to chase this uh this almighty plaque and um being from the west, you know, you only get but so many opportunities and chances. And um, you know, we are, we're on the road. But I'll I'll tell you this much, you know, we we are we are used to it. Um our kids kind of love it. It's not something that we we hide from. We tell kids straight up, you know, if you want to travel and you want to uh, you know, play on the road and you know, you want to relish playing at home, then Colorado Mesa is really a good fit because we're gonna travel anywhere between 10 and 20,000 miles a year. And uh, you know, that 18 season, we went 18,000 miles, uh, which is ridiculous. Um, you know, the this year, I haven't done the math yet, but I can tell you we're definitely over 1,300 uh or sorry, 13,000 miles this upcoming year. Um, and so, you know, we'll we'll just see how it plays out. And um, you know, hopefully our kids can just bond together over all that travel. And we just love having the opportunity to do it. Um, you know, I love traveling, I love being with the guys on the road. It's a really special and unique time, but it does present uh a unique set of challenges. And you're right, we've got to play a pretty robust schedule, and and really anyone that we can um, you know, play uh is kind of the way our schedule typically shakes out. Just throw opportunities out there into uh, you know, the the email chains or or to some text messages or meeting people at recruiting events and see what sticks. And um, you know, we've had some stalworths on the schedule, like the Tampas and the Rollins. And but like you mentioned, this year going to play Coker. I don't really know what they're about. I know they've got a new coach. I know that you know they typically play some of those teams in the sack really, really close. And um, you know, so we'll see what ends up happening. So uh, you know, just excited to hopefully, like I kind of led with, get to play a normal year for these kids, you know.

SPEAKER_04 19:20

Yeah, well, it's also interesting, Coach, what you said, you know, taking 32 on travel, obviously based on budget and everything else. And you look at that with that Florida swing, that's three games in a row. That you're all you're also saying you got to have all those guys stay healthy. Correct. Because you're not switching people out.

SPEAKER_01 19:39

No, no. We um so for the the first Florida trip or the first East Coast trip, it's only a five-day trip or a six-day trip, I think is the total number of days we're on the road. We'll take 32, but then that trip that we go for away for the second trip into March, um, it's a little bit warmer. We're playing four games, we're down there for a little bit longer. So we'll actually bring uh 38 players on that trip. So we take a few more bodies. But um, you're right, you know, you're kind of playing Russian roulette and hoping that guys kind of stick. Um, you're constantly having conversations. Do you take two or three face-off guys, one face-off guy, two or three goalies? How many short sticks do you need? Um, and right we don't have crystal balls, obviously.

SPEAKER_04 20:20

So yeah. Well, and let's talk about your team. You talk about face-off. You had to me look like a three-headed monster last year with Cole Emmanuel, Colin C. Seedorf, and Dylan Czechitz. Now, I think you're down to two of them right now, but that's still, and they're both over 70%.

SPEAKER_01 20:37

Yeah, so they're they're all three unique and different. And as you alerted to, uh, you know, Cole Emmanuels went on to Marquette, so he's playing for Marquette now, which is great for which is great for Cole. Um, you know, he's a high-end academic kid and wanted a little bit more of an academic challenge. And um, so I'm glad he landed on his feet up there. But Dylan is is um uh a technical kind of whiz type kid from uh Utah who's really, really solid. And and then Colin Seedorf is uh, you know, he's gonna hopefully, well, his goal is to hopefully be an Army Ranger. Um so that just kind of tells you the mentality of the type of player he is. And so he's not as much of a technique guy. He's more of kind of like the grinded and kind of hearted out. Um and he's the guy who we use down the back stretch primarily last year. But uh this fall was a wide open race. Um we brought in a graduate transfer from Hampton Sydney, um, Jake Brummet, who faced off in the ODAC and was an all-American in the ODAC his junior year. Um, and then we also have two kids from high school that came in. So our goalie plays really evolved since Michael Marino started us off a few years ago. Um so we've been very fortunate to have good face off play. Um, and and so you know, hopefully we can just continue to grow off that. Um, but we don't really know who the guy's gonna be. It's it's gonna be a Battle and every day is a battle and a test.

SPEAKER_04 22:02

So well, and you have those options too, right? That not only for travel, but in-game. If one's not working, bring another one in. We talked to other coaches about that, and that's to me a huge bonus.

SPEAKER_01 22:14

Sure, sure. And we talk a ton about being Swiss Army Knives within our program. Um, so we don't really like guys who come in and think, oh, I'm just an offensive MIDI or I'm just an attackman. Um, we really talk to them on the recruiting process about, you know, making sure that if you're choosing to come play for us, you need to be flexible. And so even a guy like Colin has done a ton of reps this fall and taking uh some defensive midfield work. Um he wants to be on the field more. Um, those are some of the conversations we have with guys behind closed doors. Um, you know, he doesn't want to just be a face-off guy. So uh we might see him a little bit more on the short stick defensive midfield side of the field as well. Um but I think we're in a pretty good place, like you said, with the options that we do have and and the competition that we have at that position.

SPEAKER_03 23:03

Well, you know what you do well, you spread the rock really well. You have a number of scorers. Um who do you got coming back? And who do you see leading the charge this year offensively?

SPEAKER_01 23:15

You know, I think that that the years where um we've had the most success, we have really spread it around. And so we do return um Hunter Holcomb at attack, uh, who was uh I think the freshman of the year last year, or maybe the attackman of the year for our conference. Um we have James.

SPEAKER_03 23:35

Yeah, 32 points. 32 points as a freshman, you know, like that's pretty pretty impressive.

SPEAKER_01 23:41

Yeah, and in a shortened year, too. And um, you know, Hunter has a really good feel for the game, really nice player from Minnesota, um, you know, pretty much righty lefty type of guy. Um, just really kind of plays off what the defense gives him. And right, you know, last year I don't think he actually played to his full potential. And we've had conversations about um, you know, just working harder. And um it's funny you bring him up and we're talking about him because this morning when we were doing some individual stuff, he was a guy who I walked away from the day feeling like just worked really, really hard. So um he he's great to have as a returner. Uh we bring back James Stanke in the midfield, who is also the midfielder of the year for us, um, who's kind of a two-way type of guy, but just makes good decisions with the ball. Um, you know, James Run. Uh James was, yeah, so you'll our our roster is pretty funky um because they our school elected to do uh just a red shirt year for COVID. So most of those guys that you see on our roster, if they're listed as red shirts, that's just because they didn't know how to list the COVID side of things uh with that additional eligibility year. Um so James is actually a junior this year, um, but he's a nice little player for us. Jed Brummett's a junior who's a attackman from Gilman School that had 26 goals in his freshman year when we were seven games in. So he was doing a nice job scoring the ball. Um, you know, we we play really fast and wide open. Um I really try to make it as much of a track or cross-country meet um as I can because our our strength with the Western kids is not necessarily uh their IQ or their stick skills. The strength with these guys is their speed and their agility and their athleticism. And so um, you know, not comparing us by any means to um a Tufts or a UVA, but that's who we're trying to play like. You know, we're gonna turn it over a lot, but we're gonna work and hustle and and try to push the tempo. And so, you know, sometimes you end up with a guy getting a hot day scoring four or five. And some days you, you know, you have two guys, three guys scoring two or three, and it's spread all the way around. But um I think I think we've got enough pieces coming back. Um, you know, one guy that we're super excited about, um, or two guys we're super excited about are actually on the defensive side of the ball, two freshmen from Texas, uh six foot three and six foot five defensemen. Um we just haven't had that. Big Texan boys. Yeah, and they're big Texas kids and and they work hard and they do everything right. Um, you know, so those are guys we're excited about on the defensive side of the ball. Because again, like I was alluding to, we haven't been big in a few years on defense. And that's that's just, you know, kind of showing mirrors when a guy's super big, but when they can play and put the ball on the ground and pick it up and do something with it, um, you know, that's really where um, you know, you feel like you got a special player. And I think we have two of them in the freshman class with those guys coming in. Um, you know, so I think we should be in in pretty good shape. You know, I don't really want to take up all of our time and run through the whole roster, but you're right. We do spread it around and um, you know, we have a few guys that can kind of step up and do little things. And um, you know, Alex Blatt's another guy to keep an eye on, uh, real small kid out of uh New York. He's a junior next year, and he just can break down the defense. He's kind of our our our slide and our initiate drawing guy, and um he's he's really quick and shifty. So I mean, those guys are super important to what you're trying to do, also.

SPEAKER_04 27:07

Right. So let's then switch talking about your team. And as we've kind of looked at I and talked about, it looks like you're poised. You've got it's a young team from last year coming back, and it seems like you're well balanced on both sides of the field. But let's talk about the RMAC. We've talked to Coach Kerwin. We would love to see D2 grow in the West more. You talked about a GLVC, RMAC. Great conferences. You're very small with only four teams and stacked a little bit high with both you and Westminster clearly at the top right now. Do you see that changing over the next several years? Do you see anything about growth with more teams possibly coming in?

SPEAKER_01 27:49

The hope is that there's a yes there. Um, prior to COVID, there was talk of a few other schools um that were going to be adding within the RMAC. Um, and then obviously COVID hit. And so um, you know, I I would be shocked not to see some growth in the next few years. I do know that the RMAC has priorities just like other conferences and growing certain sports and stabilizing other sports. Um, but we're one of those sports that I think they need to look to stabilize um and encourage growth. Um, you know, there's eight to ten really high-level recruiting, and I'm probably short-selling it, eight to ten high-level recruiting events out this way every year. And um, and they're packed with kids from all over the West. And I just don't see why some of these schools um in the metropolitan Denver area, um, even in places like Nebraska, which sounds kind of crazy, or South Dakota, but um, you know, you hate to say it this way, but they're also enrollment drivers. And uh fiscally speaking and financially speaking, these schools I think would be um on the better side of things, especially if they're in alignment with Title IX, um, to admin's lacrosse, because typically the kids are good students. Um, you know, the kids are typically because D2 lacrosse has changed so much in that regard. I mean, when I first took over eight, nine years ago, you know, we were kind of looking at whoever. And now we're to the point where we're selecting kids that are three threes and higher GPAs, which was never heard of 15, 20 years ago in Division II. Um, and so the kids are becoming better students. Um, they want to stay. Um, a lot of them, you know, are interested in studying some some pretty interesting topics like fire wildlife management or engineering. And um, you know, I just uh I look at uh at some of these schools that have these great academic offerings, and I think that they'd be kind of uh, you know, dumb not to add it. But uh, you know, like I said, pre-COVID, there was a ton of talk, but right now I think everything's just trying to get through whatever the heck we're living in here for the past 18 months. So right.

SPEAKER_04 29:55

And like you said, you do not lack talent in the West and couple that in with getting more options for kids to be able to play college lacrosse at a high level because let's face it, they're not all going to be able to go D1. And if they're gonna choose, they can choose D3, yes. But I just think D2 is such a great option that they can look at. I would love to see the RMAC grow.

SPEAKER_01 30:18

Yeah, and I think it's pretty comparable to the MCLA programs out here in regards to, you know, the kids, um, again, academically very similar, but then socially speaking, that's a big piece to these Western kids. And um, you know, growing up outside of DC on the Virginia side of things, um, it was so easy to move out west. And I think some of these kids who are coming out east to play from the West are struggling to really find a home. And I think that the Western colleges and universities could really capitalize on keeping really positive individuals back at home and finding a really high-level lacrosse area um university school program for them to play for um because they're all everybody's improving. You know, I mean, you look at uh some of those teams in the Midwest, it's taken them two, three years, but they're improving. Lewis is an improved lacrosse team, you know. There's teams that are that are getting better every single year, and that's just talking to Division II, you know, not even Division III and all the other offerings that you know can be created through this great game.

SPEAKER_03 31:27

So very interesting thoughts. Yeah, really interesting.

SPEAKER_04 31:32

So, Coach, we really appreciate you coming on tonight and giving us your insight, not only on your team, but also the conference and D2 in general. And we really look forward to watching your team this coming season and see what you guys can do. So, we wish you all the luck in the world this year, and uh we will hope to have you on again, maybe in the in the season.

SPEAKER_01 31:53

Absolutely. Thank you guys so much. I really appreciate you guys including us out here in the West, and just having us on the show means all the world. So I do appreciate it. Thank you so much, and I hope you guys have a great night. All right, you too, Coach.

SPEAKER_03 32:06

Uh thanks. That was Coach Vince Smith, Colorado Mesa Mavericks. Thanks so much, Coach.

SPEAKER_04 32:11

Well, that was really, really good with Coach Smith, but it's time to move on. It's time to move on to the Peach Belt Conference, a little bit larger conference than the Armac. And I'll tell you, Danny, they are a not only a young conference in their second year, but they've got a lot of new programs in this conference, which makes it really interesting and I think brings a lot of parody to that conference.

SPEAKER_03 32:34

It's the most interesting conference to me after the Peach Bell. Last year was their first year in existence, you know, and they got these schools together and they joined that conference, and these kids played each other. And you and I discuss we both watched the championship game, and we both know, like, hey, that was as good as a game gets. And the Peach Belt conference is one of those conferences that uh these young teams and these young kids get to play. They get to play, they get to play. You know what I'm saying? Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 33:08

And and they're getting to start off something new. They they get on a new team in a new conference.

SPEAKER_03 33:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 33:15

And it's kind of cool, if you ask me. The the selling point is come to this conference,

marker 2

SPEAKER_04 33:20

come to this team, and and you're gonna be the foundation of being the next best conference or the best conference in D2.

SPEAKER_03 33:28

And and be part of history because a lot of these schools are young. Right. You know, you get a player to come down there and throw 60, 70, 75 points up and make some noise and put some points down in the record books for these schools. Yeah, you know, it's pretty kind of cool.

SPEAKER_04 33:43

Make your mark early.

SPEAKER_03 33:44

And they're and they're down south, Kev. Yeah, nice and warm. The trees.

SPEAKER_04 33:50

We've talked, we've talked about several coaches, like Coach uh Duncan of uh of Wagler, right?

SPEAKER_03 33:55

With crickets in the back, you know, crickets in the background. But hey, you know, Monte Valo Falcons, they they were the they were the top dogs last year in the peach belt. You know, Jason Lang, we had him on our on our podcast. How cool was he? Yeah, and and how excited was he to have you know lacrosse in Alabama. What do they do in Alabama? They play football, Kev. That's a football state. And he's got boys playing that. They got Thomas Fasson, Treven, Trevain Hunter, Connor Frederick, Ryan Shea, all their top scorers coming back coming back. That quartet can play, and all of them have big numbers. They spread the rock, they play a good brand of lacrosse, Kev.

SPEAKER_04 34:42

Yeah, and they've got their core D returning as well, as well as their goalkeeper, Kyle Little. So you bring all that back, and it is gonna be tough to beat them again. Now, I think there's some that can do it. I'll we'll get into that a little bit, but now you go back to their out-of-conference schedule. I was just gonna say about that. Did you see? Yeah. Look at who they've I mean, it's a huge out-of-conference schedule, but the biggies are limestone, yeah, new indie, Mary, NGU, even Westminster, because you can't count them out. And and St. Leo either. Right. No, St. Leo's in that, yeah, because St. Leo, that was an anomaly last year for St. Leo. We'll get to that when we do that conference.

SPEAKER_03 35:22

Yes, yes, yes. But you know, that's that's an impressive conference schedule, if you ask me. That's an impressive limestone. UND Mary all ranked last year, all of them.

unknown 35:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 35:34

So, you know, and we know what North Greenville can do. We we know where they are, they're poised, they're up and coming, yeah, and they can start the ball. And St. Leo, you know, they're gonna be as good as anybody. That's that's that's gonna be very good for the Montevala Falcons to play that that difficult out of out-of-conference schedule.

SPEAKER_04 35:52

And like we talked to Coach Lang, right? They're now at the top, and everyone's coming after them off. And he knows that, and I think that's what makes it exciting. So if you look at, you know, the next team that played him in the conference championship, uh, Alabama Huntsville, the Chargers from Chargers. You know, interestingly, they were only six and eight overall. But they had oh, that was another thing. They had the same uh in conference, you know, they split in the conference the same way with Lander. Then it came down to kind of a shootout who was going to be in what seed, right? So in the end, right, Uah gets gets into the the championship game, and they were down, but they fought. They fought back, and they are a team that once again, if you look at their out-of-conference with teams like once again, St. Leo, Maryville, Lewis, Lindenwood, I think their GLBC schedule will help them prep for the peach belt.

SPEAKER_03 36:49

No doubt. And Brody Phillips, Luke Levette, and Josh Campbell, their top scores last year, they're all coming back too.

SPEAKER_04 36:57

Yeah, and same with their defenders, uh, Tavian Cooley, Jacob Williams, and Brady Elbin. You know, so that they've got a core. Now, what I'd say they they've got some things, they got a smallish roster of 27, which isn't tiny, but depth could be an issue when you get out of conference, especially, I think.

SPEAKER_03 37:14

You know, especially if the injury bug hits right now.

SPEAKER_04 37:17

They all and they also they lose Joe Turner as the assistant coach. And I have not seen one added back in on their website that they have an assistant. So Connor Doyle, who's in his second season as head coach, looks like he's running the whole thing, which you know, having a little help, especially someone like Joe Turner, yeah, would be great for him.

SPEAKER_03 37:37

Yeah, um I'm sure Connor Doyle knows a lot of people. Um, I don't know what's going on as far as that's concerned. Maybe there's one and just hasn't been posted on the website yet. I I don't know. I I find it hard to believe that Coach Doyle wouldn't have an assistant down there at Alabama Huntsville.

SPEAKER_04 37:55

I do too. I I'm a little bit surprised about that. Maybe they just haven't posted it. I mean, like if you look at Young Harris, they still haven't posted their roster. There's always things that kind of lack behind. So right, right, right, right. Well, let's move on. Here's a team I'm really interested in, and mainly, and that's probably because I'm biased because I saw them play in a fall ball scrimmage, and that's Lander. Yeah. The Bay are fast and they move the ball really well. And if you look at their record from last year, they were six and five. They split with UAH and they lost to Montevello. So they were right there. They were right there, and they have a young team. Their program is only two years old. Right. And so they're returning everyone because their their team's really sophomores and juniors.

SPEAKER_03 38:45

You know what happens, Kev? You get these teams, they're young, and they get on a little roll, and then you have something like a COVID cancellation that week. And you're amped up to play a game, and boom, you you don't play for a week. And then you go back and you play a road game, and you're supposed to have two games in between then, and now it's your first game in two weeks, and you're kind of lost your mo job, you know, and that's what happens to young teams. And that's what happened to Lander last year. They had that couple of cancellations, um, you know, and that that ruins a young team's, you know, rhythm. And and and but there's another team that, you know, Adam Mather, Quinn Ingalls, Drew Wilson, their top scorers, they're all coming back. So those fast kids are coming back and they're gonna be speeding up the field again.

SPEAKER_04 39:34

Yeah, and last year they were ranked fifth nationally in man-down defense and sixth in ground balls per game.

SPEAKER_03 39:41

So they get after it on D. That pretty much explains that.

SPEAKER_04 39:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 39:45

And you know what? They got a pretty tough out-of-conference. They're gonna play the SAC, they're gonna play Conference Carolina teams, they're gonna play some GLVC teams this year.

SPEAKER_04 39:54

So they've got Belmont Abbey and Limestone, and then they've got North Greenville, Merryville. So they're they've got a schedule that's gonna help them absolutely for the peach belt. Absolutely. Okay, Danny, what about shorter? Shorter shorter Hawks. You're loving that echo tonight.

SPEAKER_03 40:16

Uh having some fun. Hey, Coach Buchanan, you know, with shorter last year. What'd they do? They they weren't they were oh and five in in conference and only two and ten overall. They they struggled last year. Um, Kev. They they only had 11 games scheduled, I see, on the schedule this year. Yeah. But two out two out of their top three scorers are coming back. But they they got some work to do, the shorter hawks, you know, um in this conference, I think. What do you think?

SPEAKER_04 40:47

Yeah, no, I agree. I mean, I think one of the issues is that they have uh they have a very small roster. They only had 22 listed in in last year in 2021. Their schedule for excuse me, their roster for 2022 is not out yet. So hopefully they're able to build on that. But that's about the size squad that you've got to have everything clicking, no injuries, and you've got to because you don't have the depth. You just don't have the depth.

SPEAKER_03 41:14

No, it's tough with only 22, Kev. It's it's tough, you know. And that depth doesn't exist with 22 with 22 kids, you know. Right.

SPEAKER_04 41:25

They've they've got to look at, I think, closing the gap on some of their stats. You know, the goals per game were six, and their goals against average were 16.4. Their big gap again was 16.4.

SPEAKER_03 41:39

They got outshot last season. 612 to 375. So teams were doubling up shots on them, you know. So that's it. That's a that's a that's a squad that's struggling, you know. Coach Buchanan. Hey guys, if you play Lacrosse and you want to play, send that video to Coach Buchanan. Uh shorter hawks could use some players out there and then uh and and and get them back into uh their winning ways.

SPEAKER_04 42:09

Yeah, like you said, they've got some of their top scores coming back, as well as some returneys on D with Dennis Kincaid and Hunter Hardeman. So we'll see. But I think the Peach Belt is stacked still too much for some other teams. Now let's get to the new teams.

SPEAKER_03 42:26

Yeah, well, you have Young Harris. Yeah. Well, Young Harris was the one the one that shut his doors two years ago. Right.

SPEAKER_04 42:34

So that that's our reboot, right? That's our reboot. Right.

SPEAKER_03 42:37

Right. So we don't know what we're getting out of young Harris. Um we don't.

SPEAKER_04 42:44

I mean, that we know their roster's small, and so Coach Herring talked to us about that. That's right. It's going to be a challenge for them this year. I think they realize that. But you know, they come with some past pedigree. And I think Coach Herring brings a unique perspective. And you remember what he talked about and what he was bringing, you know, to the team and how they were kind of setting up their their values, their core values of their team and their their goals. And I think, you know, it may not be this year, but I'd watch out from going forward.

SPEAKER_03 43:22

You know, when you say reboot, that that's kind of like a really good way to put it to me, because there were always, you know, there were a team that struggled, but they had a squad. They went out and they balled and they played and they traveled. And then two years ago, they just shut it down. And it they had some sort of turmoil, whatever that, whatever that case may be. It's a new chapter for young Harris. It's a new chapter. And and what I liked about Coach Herring, he talked about they had a plan. They had a plan. They weren't going in there blind, they weren't going in there with sunglasses on. They were going in there saying, okay, this is what we got, this is where we're going to get. And this is what we're going to try to achieve. And they know it's going to be baby steps and they know it's going to be a while. But you know what? It's good for Division II Lacrosse because here comes another team again. You know what I mean? Here's a team we didn't know what was going to happen a year or two ago, and they're back out there. Okay. So then they're rebooting, is what they're doing. But it's a good thing. And it's a good thing for Division II Lacrosse. And it's a great thing for the Peach Belt.

SPEAKER_04 44:25

Right. And then the Peach Belt brings in the Flagler Saints as well. Now, Flagler, once again, new program, but they were an established club team. And Coach Brian Duncan, their head coach, was the coach for the club team and now for the varsity program. And we got to talk to him as well. And you know, it'll be interesting. They've got a big roster, mainly freshmen and sophomores, so that they don't come with a lot of experience playing D2, but they could be dangerous now and then.

SPEAKER_03 44:58

Yeah, I think they'll be competitive. I think with a lot of there are mostly freshmen and sophomores on that team. Um none of them, none of them, and maybe if they have a transfer or two, but none of them have really NCAA lacrosse under their belt. Exactly. Now they're entering NCAA. It's not NAIA anymore, it's not club, it's it's the NCAA. And they're gonna play Monteval, they're gonna play Huntsville, they're gonna play squads in their conference that are good teams, good teams. Now, what Coach Duncan, you know, he's got his feet dug in in Florida pretty well. So he's got Tampa on their schedule, which is great for a first-year program. Right. You know, neither team has to travel too far. St. Augustine is just as nice as Tampa, is just as nice as St. Augustine. You just travel from one side of the state.

SPEAKER_04 45:55

One close to the other, Glory.

SPEAKER_03 45:57

Pretty tough on those uh lacrosse players down there in Florida, isn't it? But you know what? And he's got Colorado Mesa coming to him, which is pretty cool. So, you know, we talked about those those teams out west coming to east to play these teams. And what does Coach Duncan do? He says, Yeah, Colorado, come out, we'll play you. And and now he's got a second, you know, ranked squad on his out-of-conference schedule in his first year. That's pretty, that's pretty awesome.

SPEAKER_04 46:29

Yeah, and then the rest of their out of his out of conference is a lot of the Sunshine State conference, which makes sense. Like you said, he's rooted in Florida, it's easy for travel, but guess what? That's a tough conference, and that's gonna get him ready for Peach Belt.

SPEAKER_03 46:44

That's right. That will, you know, all you it's just gonna make them better. They're gonna take their lumps this year, and I think Coach knows it. I think Coach knows it, but he will be competitive. They won't be the type of team that's just gonna people just gonna like score hundreds of points on him. I don't think it's gonna be like that. I'm actually very interested to see Flagler play.

SPEAKER_04 47:07

Right, yeah, I am too. I am too. So that's kind of the roundup right there, Danny. But once again, we are very fortunate that one of the coaches from this conference was willing to come on and talk to us two knuckleheads about their team, his team, and and the conference. So why don't we welcome in now Coach Lepore from Lander University? Hey coach, how you doing tonight?

SPEAKER_00 47:30

Doing really well. How are you guys doing?

SPEAKER_03 47:33

Doing well, coach. Coach Anthony Lepore from Lander University. We really appreciate you taking the time to come on with us tonight. How's it going? It's going really well.

SPEAKER_04 47:43

First, coach, let me say that I got to watch your team at a fallball scrimmage, and your team plays fast and really moves the ball well. And I have to say, you have a really loyal fan base because I had all these parents coming up to me continually telling me that you really only have been out there for one year. You started in 2020, but that wasn't fair because it was COVID, it was a short, which is very, very true. But your fan base is so great. They traveled, it wasn't at your home field, they traveled well, and they were loud, boisterous, and your team balled out in that scrimmage. So I guess my that's my question. You you start off, you're such a young program. You had that break really in 2020 with COVID shutting down. What was that like? And going from there to trying to build into 2021 and now 2022.

SPEAKER_00 48:33

Well, that's uh that's a that's a pretty broad question. I mean, but it's but what a you know, that first year, um, and I know you've had other coaches on here before, you know, who have also started programs. I was very fortunate, you know, in my time when I was at Belmont, I was an assistant with two other guys who've also started programs at this level.

SPEAKER_04 48:51

But yeah, there's a good coaching tree going now from Belmont. Yeah, Coach Peruzzi.

SPEAKER_00 48:56

Oh, yeah, yeah, Peruzzi and Coach Wims. Um, and man, um, starting this thing, and it was really it was a lot of fun. Uh, we were almost we have 42 players initially, and just about all of them are freshmen. And so I was like really just starting to really get to know these guys and really enjoying it. And we were four and two, and we were actually playing some games early on, and I was like, wow, this wasn't supposed to happen like this. You know, but uh we had it was interesting, you Indy was in town to play us that Saturday, and they definitely would have humbled us and brought us down a few pegs. Um, and unfortunately, we couldn't play the game, and we sent all the guys home. And then you guys remember what that was like when the pandemic initially started. Everybody's kind of wondering, like, what the heck's going on? Yeah, um, yeah. But uh they came back in the fall, and you know, luckily here um at Lander, our our leadership really wants our student athletes to have a great experience. So we were able to have a pretty much a normal fall fall ball last year. Um, no outside competition, of course, but uh, you know, practicing and the strength and conditioning component. Um, but uh, and then obviously, you know, we get into the spring of 21 last year, and it was a real learning experience for us because we were still an incredibly young team. Like even to date, we've only played 17 games as a program heading into year three. Uh so it's um it but it but what a wonderful learning experience. And what's really cool is you know, that team that you saw play back in October, uh they're they're finally upperclassmen now. You know, they have those games under their belt. It was a lot of learning by doing through winning and losing, especially last year, a lot of four one goal games, you know. So um they're you know, they're coming along, man. That's you know, it's but it's been really cool to be a part of that process with them.

SPEAKER_03 50:42

Absolutely. I mean, whenever you watch the young guys get better, that's oh yeah, that's a very fulfilling uh feeling as a coach.

SPEAKER_00 50:49

Absolutely, absolutely, and and also to see them come together too during because like what an incredibly unique time for these young people to be going to college and playing college lacrosse during this major world event, you know. So it's really it's really brought them closer together.

SPEAKER_03 51:04

Yeah, and it's in more ways than one, probably, you know, for sure.

SPEAKER_04 51:10

It is interesting, coach. You you touched on it. You were four and two in your first year, six and five last year, both winning records, and you're yeah, you're a new club. That is really, really good. And you're now Danny and I talked about this in the preview. Not only are you not losing players, but now you've got seasoned players. And so you really are in a great place in the peach belt. But talk to me about what you think about the competition in the peach belt because I think Danny and I talked about this too. This to me is such a great conference because there are a lot of teams that are just starting new programs or coming in. Like if you look at young Harris, I kind of call that a reboot, right? Right, I agree with that. They all bring this energy where you're gonna be able to. I think there's so much could be so much parity in your conference that makes the competition even better. What would you say about that?

SPEAKER_00 52:06

I agree. And um, what's I think it's it if you know the peach belt, um, all of the sports in the peach belt are particularly strong. So it's a it's a great athletic conference, whether it's basketball, uh, soccer, baseball, um, you know, many of the schools that are Peach Belt member institutions are regionally and nationally relevant in many respects of sports. Uh so um it makes sense, you know, that the that these institutions that are Peach Belt member schools are gonna are gonna field strong programs. Um and just like look no further to what you know, like what Jason's done at Montebalo, uh, also done it really well and really quickly. Um, and you know, Flagler, um, I think they're gonna they're gonna be pretty strong right out of the gate, you know, having uh, you know, a pretty well-established club program there. So exactly uh it's gonna be a really competitive conference, and that's what we want. You know, you you wanna like when we're in, you know, when here we're recruiting, we do, you know, we are up against the fact that you know the uh the sack and conference carolinas is here in our region, so we want to have a strong conference.

SPEAKER_04 53:10

Yeah, well, I think you know that Danny and I talked about this as well. I think the recruiting thing is that Peach Belt wants to take down the SAC and Conference Carolinas. And you're poised, I think, to be able to do that the way the teams are set, especially if you look at what, like you said, the the in-conference and the I think the parody. But then if you look at your schedule for out-of-conference games, it is not light. When you have to play teams like Anderson, North Greenville, Meryville, Belmont Abbey, and Limestone, for just naming a few of them near the top, that really puts your team into that competitive mode of looking at how they can knock off the big boys, right?

SPEAKER_00 53:58

Right. It's um but what's but in recruiting, we talk about this. We tell them, you know, when you come down here and into the Carolinas, this is D2 country, and we're gonna we're gonna try and play the best teams that we possibly can. Um and that's why we you know we try and schedule the non-conference schedule that we have. Um, you know, we we want guys that that get excited about competing against the best in the country. So um we're we're positioned to do that here. And um, you know, obviously we're we got a long ways to go before we can we can catch up to those teams, but um just having the opportunity to come to be on the same field and them and compete, I think only makes us and our conference stronger.

SPEAKER_03 54:40

I agree a hundred percent, a hundred percent.

SPEAKER_04 54:43

So then, coach, let's talk about some of the players you have coming back. You know, obviously that you've got mostly everyone coming back, but where do you see is there uh any strengths that you feel you've got on either either side of the ball or special teams, or do you think you're pretty well balanced across?

SPEAKER_00 55:00

Um I think uh it's been interesting, you know, as we build this thing over the last three years, we have discovered that um we we felt like one of uh the areas of that we were a little bit deficient the last couple years was midfield depth. But I think everybody kind of feels that way, you know, as the game is is evolving to more of like uh you I know you probably saw it at the scrimmage, like we were able to comfortably for the first time run three or four midfield lines, and I'm thrilled about that. Um because it's a long season too, and guys get guys get dinged up, and you know, you just um I remember our first year, man, we were one injury away from things going real sideways.

SPEAKER_03 55:39

Right, right.

SPEAKER_00 55:40

But but um, you know, I think uh I think our midfield depth is really gonna help us this year. Um and like last year, we'll probably rotate four or five guys at attack. Um I I mean it's a position group-wise, I think you know, if if you had to like really make me pick out a group that was the strength of this team right now, it is probably at the midfield position.

SPEAKER_04 56:03

That's good. I also find it interesting you talk about rotating four or five guys uh in on attack because I don't think I've seen that that often, you know, maybe it may be a fourth, but really it kind of comes down to a core three, and I I equate that to them knowing each other so well. So instead of just three guys really knowing what the other two are doing and how they they react and and play with each other, you've got to have four or five guys that know that and are interchangeable. So I assume that's what you think you've got going into this year.

SPEAKER_00 56:37

Yeah, and well, there's always, you know, we experimented with it a bit last year. We we routinely played four attackmen. Um, and a lot of this was the genesis of it was going into the COVID year. We were like, you know, chances are because of contact tracing and and and all, and plus just the regular injuries that occurred during the course of a year, we got to coach up every guy and get every guy ready to play in every spot. Um because because you're gonna miss people, like and and it's so it certainly did happen last year. I don't think we had our full team or uh like a uh the a same depth chart from game to game like the entire year.

SPEAKER_03 57:18

Um so that was proactive thinking, other, you know, not reactive thinking, I think. You know, I think that's really awesome. That's a really interesting idea.

SPEAKER_00 57:28

Well, what what ends up happening too is um you know, through the the that experimentation process, what we discovered was we can ride a little bit better because our attackmen are fresher. And we tell them, you know, one of your main responsibilities is to is to is to ride the ball back for us, um, ride to the midfield line and then get off so we can sub to the midline. And they know that if they're not out there sprinting, doing that job, not just you know, with the ball on their stick, you know, playing offense, that uh that's a that's a really important role for them. So um it allows us to keep those guys fresh, just like you'd rotate your midfielders or your long pole midfielders, you know, or any other position group. It just, you know, it's you got to sprint. So yeah.

SPEAKER_03 58:08

Well you guys pass the you guys passed the ball, man. You guys spread the rock. You have multiple, you know, point scorers on the team. That's gonna be more of the same, I think, for lander this year coming up, huh?

SPEAKER_00 58:21

We're gonna try.

SPEAKER_03 58:25

It looks like you're poised to have a really decent season, Coach. I mean, you got some great players coming back.

SPEAKER_00 58:32

Oh, yeah. The um we're real excited, you know. We didn't graduate anyone off of last year's team. Um, you know, naturally there's always gonna be some attrition. You know, that's just kind of you know what happens, you know, our sport. Uh, but uh the the vast majority of these guys are back. Um, and you know, we have a a really tremendous freshman class. Um, some of whom in the scrimmages uh that we played in this fall were frankly they're outstanding. Um that's good. Um yeah, there may be you know uh one of them uh starting for us, and then another two or three who are gonna get some real significant minutes. So really excited about those guys.

SPEAKER_03 59:10

Awesome. Sounds great.

SPEAKER_04 59:12

Just like we talked about, Danny, right? Getting to play, getting to play for Ashman or sophomore in D2, and in a new new program in a new conference. It it brings so much to a recruit to be able to have that chance, right?

SPEAKER_00 59:28

So oh, yeah. Like, like when all throughout recruiting, like especially the first the first two groups of kids that we brought here, we want we wanted young men that were excited about doing this, you know, about like they they're they're gonna be the first to do everything, you know what I mean? And so like we want we particularly targeted young men that were like really excited about coming here and about doing this here. And look, they were gonna have to overlook, you know, or excuse me, look past some of the challenges that we were gonna, of course, face as a new program, you know, that you can't walk into this, you know, being naive. But uh the kids that were excited about that challenge were the guys that we targeted, and I think that uh you know that uh strategy's paid off for us a little bit.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:11

I love kids like that. I love kids like that with that go get them attitude. Yeah, you know what, we're gonna take our lumps, but we're here to play.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:19

So two things, right? First is the fact that your players have got to be really excited because they didn't go one and ten or you know two and four. They went four and two and six and five. They had winning seasons. So starting off young, they're already doing that. And then secondarily, just what what Danny said, now they they that must feed them, I think that first part. That feeds them. And now the second part is that they continue to build off of that because they have that personality, and now they're ready for the next step.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:53

That's right. Um, and I think one of the things that really pleases uh me and and the other coaches on staff is when we talk to the boys about last season, they don't talk too much about the wins, they talk about the ones that got away. Yeah, um, and and that's it's lessons learned. Yes, yeah, agree. Like, you know, like learning how to get off a bus and compete, you know, or like that midweek road game. Um, you know, some of those some of those things that there's really only one way to learn about it, and that's to do it. So we're starting to do it.

SPEAKER_04 1:01:24

Starting to do it. That's a good way. That's a good segue for us, I think, Danny. But coach, we really appreciate you coming on tonight. It was great to hear your insights, not only about your team, but about the conference. Uh, we're Danny and I are ecstatic about watching your team and the Peach Belt. I mean, uh that I'll be probably glued to my screen most of the time. One screen. Luckily, I've got several screens on my computer, and Peach Belt may be on one of them a lot because I just think it'll be really interesting to watch your conference this year. So really appreciate you coming on tonight.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:53

Yeah, absolutely, guys. And look, if you're ever in the area and you want to come check out a game, you know, happy to have you here. Uh, it's a great game day environment at our stadium, and um, you know, I think uh you'd really enjoy the experience.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:04

I would love to. Thanks for the invitation, coach. I just might pick you up on that.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:08

In the crease on the road, we're talking about that. We we gotta we gotta figure out our budget, you know.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:15

But you gotta you gotta rent a rent an RV and just do a roadshow for like a month in the spring.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:19

Well, so I'm the wives, if the wives would let it. But I have an RV and it was specifically done so I could watch we could go watch our son and tailgate at the game. So we may have to break it out to other other venues.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:32

Especially if you guys are doing the podcast, you can always just say it's for work. That's right. That's right. Maybe we could write that off or something.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:39

Hey, we're going to negative anyway, but Coach Anthony Lapore from Landon University. Thank you so much for taking the time. Uh, good luck to you guys this season. We'll be uh looking for you uh and watching you this season. And um, hopefully we can get you back on and we'll talk with you again. What would you say about that? Let's do it anytime. Sounds great. Thanks, Coach.

SPEAKER_00 1:03:01

All right, guys, thank you.

SPEAKER_04 1:03:02

So, Danny, that was that was awesome. That was awesome talking to Coach Lapore. I thought it was really interesting hearing his perspective of starting his program, um, how humble he was really from the fact of how well his team is doing, kind of surprised. But I I think they're ready to go. And I think, like we talked about with him, the Peach Belt is gonna be a conference to reckon with in years to come.

SPEAKER_03 1:03:26

I don't think it's gonna be too long either, Kev. Um, that part of the country just absorbs people. Um, it's a beautiful part of the country down there in the south. And, you know, the Peach Belt is one of those conferences we, you know, we discussed it. They're they're new, but they're exciting. They bring that new electricity, they bring that new vibe to Division II lacrosse. We didn't have that two years ago. Two years ago, we did not have that. So now we have a whole new conference with a whole bunch of cool stuff going on. Flagler coming in, you know, um Young Harris with their reboot, you know, Lander being shockingly good for their first two years and being on having winning records. And then, of course, what Huntsville and Montevallo have done, you know, it's it's a pretty cool conference. It's exciting. And I think it's gonna be a really cool year, the 2022 year down in the peach belt.

SPEAKER_04 1:04:22

And what a way to wrap up our 2021 season and with not only talking about the Peach Belt, but another conference that not many people follow, probably as as closely uh in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Armac.

SPEAKER_03 1:04:38

There's probably 3,000 listeners out there that never heard of Lander before tonight. And you know what? And they're gonna know about Lander now.

SPEAKER_04 1:04:48

Yep, and they're gonna know about Colorado Mesa a little bit more with Coach Smith and the rest of the Armac.

SPEAKER_03 1:04:52

That's right. That's right. And it's just bringing bringing news to the masses that these people just don't know about, and they're gonna know about it. And it's due to this podcast, you know. I I really humbly believe that.

SPEAKER_04 1:05:06

Yeah, and so all I can say, Danny, it's been a pleasure working with you this year. Really, it's not work, it's fun. You and I have too much fun on this podcast as you and I have talked. We talk too much, but I think for 2021, that's a wrap for In the Crease.

SPEAKER_03 1:05:20

Well, it's been a heck of a 2021 year. I am so excited to have started this podcast with you. Um uh I'm excited to see where it goes in 2022.

SPEAKER_04 1:05:33

Yeah, so that's a wrap, and we'll see you next year.