INDIO, CA // SANDSTORM was a HUGE success for XTEAM over MLK weekend! Both XTEAM 2013 BLACK + XTEAM 2014 made it into the playoffs on Sunday afternoon, with XTEAM 2013 BLACK winning the PALM SPRINGS division in a sudden death victory!
XTEAM PLAYERS MAKE ALL-TOURNEY TEAM
CONGRATS to these players for their standout performance at the SANDSTORM tournament!
XTEAM 2013 BLACK :: Jasmine Docal (FL)
XTEAM 2013 BLUE :: Cara Cancelmo (TX)
XTEAM 2013 BLUE :: Jennifer Blum, Goalie (TX)
XTEAM 2014 :: Lilly Newman (OR)
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TOURNAMENT NEWS RELEASE FROM SYNAPSE SPORTS
Brady’s Bunch Brings Unique Story to Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival
Arizona-based Club Uses Lacrosse to Spread a Greater Message at Co-ed Youth Tournament
Annapolis, MD (February 1, 2012) – Mike “Papi” Wein took his Brady’s Bunch club program to the Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival for the first time. By the time the fifth annual tournament was over, everyone in greater Palm Springs knew about Papi and the bunch. Wein founded Brady’s Bunch as a way to honor his young son who is battling cancer and to spread the message that everyone should live every day to the fullest. Brady Wein is one of the youngest people in the United States to ever contract cancer, having been diagnosed with leukemia at the age of three months. Brady has been bravely battling the disease for more than three years now, having undergone two bone marrow transplants and numerous chemotherapy treatments.
Mike Wein, a gregarious individual with an infectious personality, felt an overwhelming need to use his son’s illness to do good works. He started the Brady’s Bunch program for the purpose of using lacrosse and the club circuit as a vehicle to raise awareness about Acute Myeloid Leukemia while teaching other youngsters the fragility of life. “Our philosophy is that you have to value life, value your parents, value your friends,” said Wein, who owns several Sal’s Pizza franchises. “We’re more than just a lacrosse club. We’re a family. And we try to teach our players to value every day. In a sporting vein, that means valuing each shift because you never know when it will be your last.”
Members of the Brady’s Bunch teams hail from 10 different states and Canada. Papi tracks down players through research or recommendation while they often find Brady’s Bunch through word of mouth. They meet in the hotel lobby (often for the first time) and bond over the course of a tournament. “We gather together every night and tell stories. People pour their hearts out and talk about family members or friends who have died or are sick. Our players and coaches talk about what’s going on in their lives, what problems they’re having or issues they’re going through,” Wein said. “This is my therapy, it keeps me going. I cry with my guys all the time. No matter what happens on the lacrosse field, everyone involved with the Bunch comes away a winner.”
Brady’s Bunch also had success on the Empire Polo Club fields during Sand Storm, winning both the boys’ Elite Division and High School Division championships with unblemished 7-0 records. “It was an unbelievable tournament in a beautiful venue and the organization was outstanding,” said Wein, who coached the Elite team himself. “All the people working the tournament and a lot of our competitors took an interest in Brady’s Bunch and what we were about, which was rewarding.”
This was the largest Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival to date with 87 teams on the girls’ side and 45 teams on the boys’ side. It was only the second year of boys’ competition at the event, which is organized by Maryland-based Synapse Sports in partnership with Lax West Lacrosse. Following is a brief rundown of the division winners:
Boys’ Elite Division: Goalkeeper Aaron Bills (Arizona) anchored a suffocating defensive effort that led Brady’s Bunch to a 9-6 victory over King’s Blue in the championship game. Tom Riggelman (California) provided shutdown man-to-man coverage and got help from fellow close defenders David Price and David Abby. The Oregon duo of John Ledhoff and Patrick Cleary led a fast and tenacious group of long stick defensemen that controlled the middle of the field while short stick defensive midfielders Cody Terellia (Arizona) and Britt Barge (California) keyed the transition. Martin Winter (Oregon) spearheaded the attack with help from Carson Dutkanych (Utah), Blake Samuel (Washington state), Jake Teague (California), Billy Abell and J.C. Van Den Brink (both Oregon). Team captain Seth Goddin (Oregon) and Ohio State signee Jonas Bennett (Utah) spearheaded a midfield that included Jon-Michael Tokar (New York), Eli Lasda (New York), Andrew Douglass (Washington), Dakota Hollister (Canada) and Jack Trask (Colorado).
Boys’ High School Division: Midfielder Ian Kadish (Utah) dominated the faceoffs and was a force between the lines in leading Brady’s Bunch to a 9-2 victory over Fellowship of Christian Athletes-Orange County for the High School crown. Attackman Matt Johnson (Oregon) consistently put the ball in the back of the net while goalie Quinton Mathie (Utah) made some huge saves in the second half of the final. Cameron Labelle (California) and Elliott Allen (Washington) anchored a defense that held six of seven opponents to five goals or less. “The teams represented Brady’s Bunch very well with inspiring play and the utmost respect for their opponents and officials. Watching the team play on Sunday, you would never have known this group had only been together less than 36 hours,” Coach Tom DeMaio said.
Boys’ Under-15 Division: Goalkeeper John Van Sickle (Los Angeles) led the way as the West Coast Starz 8th Grade team captured the championship. Van Sickle was on fire all weekend and recorded three shutouts in seven games. Beau Botkiss (San Diego) and Nick Bauer (Orange County) spearheaded an overpowering defensive effort as the Starz defeated the Vancouver Thunder, 12-2, in the final. Lane Kadish (Utah) controlled the faceoffs while long stick midfielder Scott Barger (Orange County) was a ground ball machine as the Starz went up and down the field in beating the L.A. Mavericks, 14-1, in the semifinals. Midfielders Christian Ford (San Diego) and Noah Smith (Denver) were the catalysts of a strong transition game while the attack unit of Josh Melton (Denver), Preston Fletcher (Los Angeles), JoJo Biddle, Cal Costa and Anthony DeMaio (all San Diego) did a superb job of passing and finishing as 12 of the 14 goals were assisted. The Starz scored 90 goals and allowed just six in posting a 7-0 record in the tourney.
Boys’ 13-Under Division: Peter Burpee scored the game-winning goal of a beautiful assist from fellow attackman Tucker Dordevic as the Rhino Rippers edged Burnaby, 7-6, in an exciting championship game. Charlie Wiggin, the other attackman, created the winning goal by forcing a turnover of a strong ride. Do-it-all midfielder Jack Frane won 76 percent of faceoffs, scored 16 goals, dished off eight assists and collected 24 ground balls. Burpee scored eight goals while goalie Jack Schlendorf stopped 26 shots and posted a .520 save percentage. Sam Handley dished off seven assists for the Rippers, who had helpers on 60 percent of their goals. The Portland, Oregon club also won 55 percent of ground balls with Riley McDowell (29 GBs) leading the way in that category. “Sand Storm was awesome. There were good vibes all-around and we all came away real impressed. Synapse runs a quality event,” said Kyle Chrisman, assistant Director of Operations for the Rhino club.
Girls’ High School-Palm Springs Division: Allie Modica (Vero Beach High, Fla.) scored the game-winning goal directly off the draw and with a nice assist from Annie Ruland (Milton High, Georgia) to lift XTeam 2013 Black to a thrilling sudden victory over BearLax 2013 Blue by a score of 7-6. Drew Jackson (Woodward Academy, Georgia) scored back-to-back goals to bring XTEAM back from a late two-goal deficit to force overtime. Jasmine Docal (Pine Crest High, Florida) was named to the All-Tournament Team. “This team is made up kids that have put so much individual work to improve. What we saw at Sand Storm was a great team of individuals that know what it takes to compete at the next level and, more importantly, buys into our XTeam system,” head coach Katy Smullen said. More than half the members of the 2013 Black club were part of the XTeam squad that captured the La Quinta Division at last year’s Sand Storm. “For our organization, Sand Storm is the event of the year and a place where our slogan “Laugh, Fight, Risk” is easy to live out loud. Our players, parents and coaches love traveling to Palm Springs for an awesome weekend of lax and sunshine, teammates and family, food and fun,” said Cassie Westman, Director of XTeam.
Girls’ High School-Rancho Mirage Division: Attacker Jesse Arne (Chatfield High) was named MVP by her club as Team 180 2013 defeated X Team, 3-1, in a hard-fought and low-scoring championship game. Arne, who has battled through painful tendinitis, was a consistent performer throughout the tourney. California commitment Caroline Schlegel (Kent-Denver) and Oregon signee Katherine Blumhardt (Regis) led an aggressive offense that spread the scoring around. Ella Stapp (Mullen) had a superb tournament while Tori Link (Cherry Creek) was a dominant force in the midfield. Goalie Delaney Solomon (Cherry Creek) was rock-solid in every game and was named All-Tournament. She got great defensive support from Madison DeWinter (Chapparal) and Madison Krause (Regis). Team 180, a Denver-based organization led by Sam Bartron, had its 2014 squad go undefeated in pool play, but ultimately lost to its club stable mate by one goal in the quarterfinals.
Girls’ High School-La Quinta Division: Goalkeeper Amanda Staap (Pleasanton, Cal.) made huge saves in every game to lead BearLax 2015 to a 4-0-1 record and a close victory over Bounce in the championship contest. Alex Gray and Meghan Harrington (Danville, Cal.) led a tenacious defense that routinely created turnovers with double teams while Hannah McGillvary (Pleasanton) and Annelise Dutcher (Pleasanton) controlled the midfield with great work on draws and ground balls. Ashley Hill (Novato, Cal.) was a key finisher on attack while Katie Kuptz and Mia Maloney (Danville) were also big factors in the midfield. BearLax, a northern California club directed by Theresa Sherry, has been a consistent participant and winner at Sand Storm. “This team was incredibly successful due to their great chemistry and attitudes,” said Melissa Sheehan, who coached this group of eighth and ninth graders.
Girls’ Middle School Risers: Midfielder Kathleen Rue was a force on draws, ground balls and in the clearing game and was named MVP by her club after leading Team 180 2016 to a 10-2 victory over Club Clash. Midfielder Erin O’Shaughnessy also dominated in all areas as Team 180 overwhelmed opponents with its athleticism and speed. Payton Gabriel, Rachel Cowan and Allie Vanek comprised an attack unit that moved the ball crisply and finished scoring opportunities while goalie Kami Cisneros and defender Olivia Sandoval anchored a unit that gave opponents few scoring chances. This same squad went undefeated at All-Star Express and appears headed for big things. “This team is definitely one to watch. There are a lot of future collegiate players on the roster,” Team 180 director Sam Barton said.
For more information about the 2012 Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival visit the event website: www.laxtournaments.com
SYNAPSE SPORTS
Synapse Sports is the premier provider of lacrosse playing opportunities and recruiting events in the U.S. Founder and CEO Cathy Samaras has been a trailblazer in the sport of lacrosse, working tirelessly for over 20 years to promote the growth and development of the game – from grassroots to global. To learn more about the exciting events organized by the company visit www.synapsesports.com or call 410-573-1414.
LAX WEST LACROSSE
Founded by former UVA 4-time All American Michael Watson, Lax West is committed to helping its participants reach their full potential as competitive lacrosse players and coaches through a variety of platforms including instructional and competitive camps, clinics and events, as well as coaching clinics and seminars, invitational exhibitions, games and tournaments. Visit www.laxwestlacrosse.com for more information.
