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Vail’s Men’s Elite Tournament is back for the 38th year in 2010, once again featuring some of the country’s best young lacrosse talent. After a lengthy climb up the tournament ladder, Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear finally broke through to win the championship in 2009. It was an emphatic four-game showing for ML, who featured several players on their roster that ended up in the professional ranks this summer.
This year’s tournament returns five of the top seven teams from last year, including 2009 runners-up Team 21 and long-time tournament stalwart, Team One’s Jammin’ Salmon. New England-based Brine Elite soared all the way to a fifth place finish last year and will have the inside track at their first semifinal bid this tournament.
As always, the Colorado-based entries are strong in 2010 and include Combat Sports/Rocky Mountain Oysters and Team Chipotle, both coming off impressive 2009 tournaments. Victorious Secret, the Med and the Lofers will also feature loads of local talent with a smattering of Back East ringers.
Vail has always featured some form of alumni gatherings in the Elite Division and 2010 is no different. Team Gutman is the Middlebury-based group while 83 ½ Lacrosse is mostly former Bowdoin Polar Bears. Don’t overlook Cornell’s Team 21, who earned the title in 2008 and are perennially near the top of the draw.
Our returning regional entrants include the Olympic Club (northern California) and Team Awesome (Southeast). Bigfoot Lacrosse (Pacific Northwest), Fender Benders (Ohio) and the East Coast Kings (Tri-State area) are all new teams in 2010 and will look to make a splash at this year’s tournament.
Rounding out the tournament in 2010 is Maverik Elite, a dark-horse team of players who have helped design and create Maverik lacrosse. This team could easily make a run at the semifinals or even further with their lacrosse pedigree.
18 teams will enter the Vail thunderdome this year, but only one can leave as champion. Four games in four days is a tough task for any team, but as is standard for the tournament, the on and off field antics will be one for the books!
Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear
Coach: Paul Landaiche Jr.
Team Preview: Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear won their first championship in 2009, thanks to the stellar play of a small, but talented group of Division I players. In 2010, they look to return to the top of the heap and become the first repeat champions of the Elite Division in nearly a decade. With many returners and a bevy of youngsters fresh off NCAA seasons, don’t be surprised if Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear is once again holding the hardware at the end of the week. Merrill Lynch/Lacrossewear once again competes in the name of cancer research.
Team 21
Coaches/Organizers: David Coors, Ryan Geller
Team Preview: 2010 will be Team 21’s sixth return to Vail Lacrosse Shootout. Although the number of returning members from the inaugural team continues to decrease, the team focuses to remain strong and true to its core. At the core of the team is the spirit of George Boiardi. George wore the number 21 at Cornell University and fatefully fell in 2004 during a lacrosse contest his senior year. George exemplified everything it means to be a great teammate, showing not only incredible athletic ability and tireless work ethic on the field, but admirable character and a selfless lifestyle off the field. For the members of Team 21, it is not only George’s athleticism and character that we honor, but his love for the game, the friendships we all shared with him and the legacy he is leaving behind.
We would like to thank our main sponsors: Coors Light, Concept Capital and Nike. Additionally we would like to thank Chris Packard, Mike Voris, Tim Deblois, Scott Raasch, Dan Leary, Andrew Collins, Scott Lee, the Boiardi Family and others who have helped support the team this year. Without you this team would not be the same.
Team 21 continues to support the Mario St. George Boiardi Foundation. For more information or to make a donation please visit the website at http://www.boiardifoundation.org/.
“Mario St. George Boiardi. Tireless worker, selfless teammate and loyal friend who gave his life playing the game he loved.”
July 30, 1981 – March 17, 2004
Team One’s Jammin’ Salmon
Coach: John Combs
Organizers: Ryan O'Connor (Def, Dartmouth, 2007), Justin Porter (Mid, Hobart, 2007)
Key Players: Nick Bonacci (Att, Dartmouth, 2007), Brad Heritage (Mid, Dartmouth, 2006), Jeff Colburn (Att, Hobart, 2009), Kip Dooley (Att, Dartmouth, 2011), Nick Sciubba (Goal, Bucknell, 2008), Paul Stansik (Def, Bucknell, 2007), Nick Marks (Mid, Bucknell, 2008), Perry Menzies (Mid, Bucknell, 2008)
Team Preview: Team One's Jammin' Salmon return their core group of top tier college and pro players from last year's team. Made up of guys from all over the US, the Fish are back and ready to continue the long-standing Jammin' Salmon tradition of rocking the sickest unis, winning on the field and at the bars. With an athletic offense, tenacious D and a brick wall in the cage, team speed will be the key to the Fish's success in 2010. Bringing on Coach John Combs and a new title sponsor, Team One, the Fish are poised make a splash in this year's tourney. Get to the games early to see the show and follow us right to the bars after where our real talents will be on display.
Special thanks go out to Coach Combs and Team One for making this year's trip possible.
Brine Elite (FFG-48)
Team Founder: ENS Matt Keller – USNA 2009
Team Managers: Tom Keller and Jimmy Harrison
Key Players: John Ortolani (F/O, Endicott, 2008), Ryan Danahey (Att, Dartmouth, 2005), Neal Anderson (Mid, Merrimack, 2001), Jimmy Harrison (Goal, Holy Cross, 2009)
Team Preview: This year the BRINE Elite team plays to honor the men and women aboard the USS Vandegrift, a Navy frigate currently deployed with the Pacific Fleet. Among the 30 officers on board is BRINE Elite team founder ENS Matt Keller, a 2009 graduate of the US Naval Academy. The team will wear the ship's identification number, FFG-48 on their sleeves as a reminder that while we enjoy the 4th of July in Vail, many brave souls serve all around the globe. The team hopes to make the jump into the top 4 this year after last year’s 5th place finish.
BRINE Elite are grateful to the BRINE Co. and the BRINE Elite League for their continued sponsorship.
Combat Sports/Rocky Mountain Oysters
Coach/Organizer: Aaron Laaveg
Key Players: Ben Brown (Goal, Whittier, 2009), Jon Paulson (Att, Denver, 2008), Ryan Harrington (Mid, Hampden-Sydney, 2007)
Team Preview: Combat Sports/Rocky Mountain Oysters, one of the longest tenured teams in the field, are entering their 9th consecutive Vail Shootout this year. The Oysters are made up of a mix Colorado locals and top players from all over the country. In addition to the Shootout, the Oysters participate in a number of tournaments across the country including Tahoe, Vegas and South Beach. Coming off one of our best finishes to date, we are looking to reload and once again compete in the championship bracket along with the tournaments best. We are honored to be sponsored by Combat Sports.
Maverik Elite
Coaches and Organizers: John Gagliardi and Gary Rosenbach
Key Players: John Galloway (Goal, Syracuse, 2010), John Gagliardi (Def, Johns Hopkins, 1997), Jovan Miller (Mid, Syracuse, 2010), Sean Lindsay (Mid, Syracuse, 2005)
Team Preview: Maverik Elite is made up of current college players from Johns Hopkins, Syracuse, North Carolina, and other Division 1 schools. Former MLL players will be playing with Maverik Elite as well in the Vail Shootout. Maverik Lacrosse is an equipment and apparel company out of New York. Every player is involved or has been involved with helping build Maverik Lacrosse over the past 5 years.
The Olympic Club
Organizer: Pete Ellis (Maryland, 2004)
Key Players: Kyle Hollingsworth (Brown, 2009), Will Fredericks (Loyola, 2013), Andrew Goodhand (Att, Bucknell, 2007)
Team Preview: Established in 1860, the Olympic Club is the oldest athletic club in the United States. The men's lacrosse team is comprised of mostly former Division I, III and MCLA players. The team competes in the NCLA in California and has won numerous California State Championships in the past 10 years. They also compete in the Hawaii Invitational and Tahoe Lacrosse Tournaments among others. Thanks to the Club for all the support.
Team Chipotle
Coaches: Tom Konkel and Dan Murray
Key Players: Brett Koll (Mid, Denver, 2008), Danny Murray (Mid, Colorado College, 2005), Joey Murray (Mid, Denver, 2009)
Team Preview: Team Chipotle will come to Vail with players on its roster from the University of Denver, Sacred Heart, Georgetown, North Carolina, Cortland State, RPI, Colorado College and Colorado State. The team will have 3 current NCAA and MCLA 1st team All-Americans and two former Under Amour All-Americans as well as NCAA North/South College All-Stars and several current Colorado Mammoth and Denver Outlaws. The team will be guided through what the Vail Valley might have in the way of distractions by its elder statesmen and mature team leaders Danny Murray and Alex Smith and coaches Tom Konkel and Dan Murray.
We would like to thank our main sponsor Chipotle Mexican Grill, whose motto is “Food with Integrity.” This means having Unprocessed, Seasonal, Family Farmed, Sustainable, Nutritious, Naturally Raised, Hormone Free, Organic and Artisanal food. That will enable us to run faster, shoot harder and jump higher while on our quest for a championship in Vail. Good luck to all and remember to eat at Chipotle.
Team Gutman
Organizer: Jamie Duke, Middlebury College 2005
Key Players: Dave Leach (Middlebury, 2005), Jim Cabrera (Middlebury, 2008), Aaron Herter (Middlebury, 2006
Team Preview: Team Gutman is competing in its tenth consecutive Vail Shootout tournament. The members of Team Gutman are proud to play in honor of long-time team manager and friend, Peter Kohn. Throughout his life, Peter not only touched the lives of countless members of the Middlebury community, but he has been an inspiration to much of the lacrosse world. Peter was humble, caring, supportive, and a true inspiration to those around him. He was also a great competitor and sportsman. Team Gutman hopes to play with the same characteristics that Peter embodied everyday throughout his life. VIVA LA KOHN!
East Coast Kings
Organizer: Bryan Hopper
Key Players: Matt White (Att, Virginia, 2013), Brennan Bicknese (Def, Georgetown, 2013), Greg Ives (Mid, Penn, 2013)
Team Preview: The East Coast Kings consists of some of the best players from the Tri-State area, especially New Jersey, who are going into their sophomore years of college. There are several players from Lawrenceville and Delbarton, both nationally ranked high school programs, and a couple players from other New Jersey schools and New England. The majority of the East Coast Kings have been playing with or against each other since grade school and have continued their careers in Division I lacrosse. Organized by Bryan Hopper with help from Heather Faircloth, a major benefactor of Colorado Lacrosse, this will be the Kings’ second year coming to Vail. Last year in the U-19 Division they came in 3rd after losing to the Baltimore Crabs in a heated 13-12 semifinal game that ended with much controversy and will use that loss as a big motivating factor this year in the Elite Division.
3D Lax.com (formerly known as Victorious Secret)
Head Coach: Jon Bock
Key Players: Alex Demopolous (Att, Denver, 2012), Alex Gannett (Def, Penn State, 2012), Conrad Ridgway (Mid, Penn State, 2012), Eddie Bambino (Mid, Ohio State, 2012), Jacob Bock (Attack, Penn, 2012), Ryan Link (Mid, Penn State, 2012), Ryan McGarvey (Def, Penn State, 2012)
Team Preview: Victorious Secret was created two summers ago in the U19 division comprised of Denver players who were not in town for the tryouts of Team Colorado. Victorious Secret went on an amazing run and finished second in the tournament, losing to the Baltimore Crabs in the championship game. Now in their third year at Vail, Victorious Secret has loads of talent with players from Denver, Ohio State, Penn State, and Penn leading the way. A young team made up of the 2012 and 2013 classes, Victorious Secret should be an exciting young team to watch in 2010.
The Lofers
Coach and Organizer: Ted Baruch
Key Players: Chris Bluse (Goal, Colorado, 2004); Alex Baruch (Goal, Denison, 2008)
Team Preview: The LOFers are sponsored by Colorado’s own Lacrosse Outreach Foundation with the Baruch family at its nucleus. Alex, Tyler and Luke Baruch have created the team out of strong friendships forged through the great game of lacrosse over the past 15 years. We are strongest in the goal with the two players highlighted above both having previously signed MLL contracts. Pat Logiudice, leads our defense and a bevy of Benedictine Monks from St. Leo University who bring the secret weapon of sobriety to Vail and an ancient discipline that will eventually wear down even the deepest, most talented teams. Mark Miyashita, formerly in the NLL, anchors the midfield and Jon Atwood leads the attack.
The Med
Coaches/Organizers: Taylor Short, Kyle Burto, Patrick Odrzywolski, Michael Ryder
Key Players: Kyle Burto (Mid, Salisbury, 2008), Tyler Padzik (D-Mid, Colorado, 2011), James Blackburn (Att, Colorado, 2011), Shawn Zordani (Mid, Salisbury, 2011)
Team Preview: The Med is made up of mostly Salisbury University and University of Colorado players. This is the first year of this team playing together but with a majority of the players having played college lacrosse together, team chemistry will not be an issue. The team was brought together through some Salisbury alumnae who are currently serving as the coaching staff for the University of Colorado and Boulder high. Leading the team this year is Patrick Odrzywolski a Colorado graduate with a true knack for the game. Odrzywolski brings a swagger to the team that is needed to compete at the highest level. The Med, a local Boulder restaurant, is the team's main sponsor.
The beautiful mosaic's and great happy hour that The Med is known for is a perfect mesh for the colorful personalities that make up the roster. The team would like to thank The Med for their support.
Team Awesome
Coaches/Organizers: Dave Loudenslager, Mark Paret
Key Players: Andrew Babnik (Goal, Albany), Chris Linko (Mid, Lehigh), Pat Dowling (Def, Delaware), Clay Patchen (Mid, Presbyterian) Bryan Poole (Att, St. Vincent College)
Team Preview: Team Awesome – formerly Team Pond Hoppers – will be returning to the Vail Shootout for a 4th consecutive year. We are as the name implies. It starts with our attitude on and off the field. We strive to do everything the best; whether it is the way we are playing on the field, or how hard we are playing when the sun goes down. Team Awesome would like to thank their sponsors LaxZone Miami and NuGen Receivables.
83 ½ Lacrosse
Coaches/Organizers: Thomas McKinley (Bowdoin, 2006)
Key Players: Connor Fitzgerald (Att, Bowdoin, 2006), Kevin Mullins (Mid, Bowdoin, 2007), Charlie Legg (Goal, Bowdoin, 2007), Max Key (Mid, Bowdoin, 2008), Bryan Holden (LSM, Bowdoin, 2009), Harry Ashforth (Mid, Bowdoin 2009), Henry Andrews (Def, Bowdoin, 2010) Adam Tracy (Att, Bowdoin, 2010), Will Horne (Mid, Bowdoin, 2014), John Fitzgerald (Att, Syracuse, 2014)
Team Preview: 83 1/2 Lacrosse is comprised of Bowdoin college alums and current players, along with friends of the program that get together in Vail to relive their glory days on and off the field. A team mixed with old age wisdom and youthful grads they look to improve on last year’s inaugural effort. The offense will be lead by Connor Fitzgerald (Bowdoin '06) and his little brother John (Syracuse '14) with midfield support from Harry Ashforth (Bowdoin '09) and Max Key (Bowdoin '08) along with Bowdoin bound local product Will Horne (Bowdoin '14). The defense will be anchored in goal by Charlie Legg (Bowdoin '07) with help from defenders Henry Andrews (Bowdoin '10) and Bryan Duggan (Bowdoin '06). The team would like to thank its many supporters in the Bowdoin Lacrosse family and most importantly its major sponsor Smathers & Branson (www.smathersandbranson.com).
Bigfoot Lacrosse
Coaches/Organizers: Alex Jonsson, Neil Warf, Josh Schane
Key Players: Josh Schane (Att, Oregon), Aaron Prosser (Mid, Drexel), Torben Noto (Def, Bates), Andrew Parker (Goal, Portland State)
Team Preview: This is Bigfoot Lacrosse's first time sponsoring a team for the Vail Elite Tournament. The team is primarily composed of players originally from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho that are current or former NCAA & MCLA players. Bigfoot Lacrosse is the Northwest's premier lacrosse specialty store, located in Portland, OR. They have sponsored several teams throughout the summer tournament season for events such as Tahoe, Lake Placid, and Victoria. Team uniforms for Vail are provided by Lacrosse Northwest, also out of Portland, OR. LaxNW was the first company to offer leagues for year-round play in Oregon. They currently offer indoor & outdoor leagues, as well as instructional clinics and training.
Fender Benders
Coach/Organizer: Chris Gallagher
Team Preview: The Fender Benders are a team made up of guys from the Midwest looking to head out to Vail and have a good tournament. The team would like to thank its sponsors, Midwest Lacrosse Company and CG’s Auto Paint and Body, both located in Columbus, OH.
Team Sasquatch
Coach/Organizer: Craig McGuinness
Team Preview: Made up of many soon to be college freshmen, most of this group will be playing Division I lacrosse at places such as Princeton, Yale, Bucknell, Ohio State, Denver, Hobart and Notre Dame. These kids have all met through different lacrosse camps or prep schools and are using Vail to form a lifelong bond through playing for years to come.
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