Landon Carr: Pre-Season All-American, Curtis Captain

Welcome to the 2008 season, Walax.com has brought some of the potential All-Americans to you so you can see what makes them tick.  Like all of us, they are players who love the game.  These interviews are designed to give you some insight into some of the best players in Washington.  In our first installment, we introduce you to Landon Carr.  Landon is a captain at Curtis, a potent player respected across the league, a recruit touted by DI coaches, and a terrific young man in person.

WALAX  When did you learn how to play Lacrosse?

LC I learned in 6th grade from Todd Thorpe held by my house, just brought some sticks out, and asked if I wanted to play Lacrosse, and I said yes, living down the street. Todd taught us the fundamentals of the game.

WALAX What coach taught you how to shoot?

LC I think Todd taught me the basic fundamentals and Jason Stockton refined my shooting to where it is now.

WALAX What schools have been interested in recruiting you over the last six months?

LC Over 40 Division I schools have contacted me: Cornell, Maryland, Harvard and Princeton. and Hopkins are among them.

WALAX How have you dealt with so much attention being from Tacoma? Is there pressure as a college recruit?

LC Not really- there isn't really any pressure, it is more motivation to better myself, and keeps me focused on:studying in school, being a team player, and leading Curtis on the Lacrosse field. I know how important all of that will be when I get there.

WALAX Are you worried about the next level of Lacrosse?

LC I am a little anxious, not really worried.  Getting used to the tempo of the game, and a bunch of talented kids form every good high school around the countryevery day in practice will be exciting. I don’t want to fail at that level, I am very competitive.

WALAX For people who don’t know you, what are your school ambitions? What is most important in your decision?

LC I am looking to get a great education as my first priority all together, Lacrosse is my second priority. I look at what is the life like for the student athlete, and what will prepare me for the 40 years, not just the next four years. I can sacrifice four years for success the rest of my life.

WALAX What do you attribute all of this collegiate exposure to?

LC Most of it I would attribute to Starz, and specifically Scott Hochstadt. Attending some of the top camps, and tournaments on the East Coast, West Coast Starz as well as the individual camps I attended.

WALAX Which camps of those individual camps was the best?

LC Blue Chip by far, has a great atmosphere for competition.

WALAX We have heard some kids jump middie lines in the box, maybe overly competitive, maybe a little selfish- have you experienced any of this?

LC There were some guys who just stayed in, but I didn’t notice much, since those coaches are looking for team players, and that isn’t going to show them that.

WALAX Can you tell some of the younger guys what you do to better yourself as a Lacrosse player?

LC I make sure I am the top physical condition to start, then I do a lot of shooting, and watch film of great players like Rabil and Siebald and include their styles into my game, those guys are successful at the top level, so I learn from their play as well.

WALAX Tell us what your most memorable Lacrosse experience has been?

LC It has to be when I was playing with Team Washington this summer going 7-1 losing a questionable game to Leading Edge, but more than the winning record, playing with all those guys was amazing.

WALAX What do you here most frequently from college coaches interested in what you have to offer? What player traits are they looking for?

LC I think they mostly look for Speed, “you can’t make steak out of Hamburger”. <laughs> Coaches look at athletes, teamwork, determination, and skill. They specifically looked for my offensive/defensive ability, and ability to create offense. They like my ability to play midfield at both ends.

WALAX College visits as a recruit can be somewhat daunting with big name schools, can you relate some of your experiences thus far?

LC I haven’t taken any official visits, most everyone is committing before their senior year, so most kids make their own trips to schools. An official visit normally happens now when kids have already committed just to check out the school or meet the team.

WALAX What have you learned as a recruit for schools about yourself and the recruiting process?

LC Nothing is given to you, you cannot blow off school, you have to do everything yourself regardless of how talented you are- nothing is free.

WALAX How is Curtis going to do this year?

LC I think we will be really strong team, we have a bunch of players coming up, looking to make the playoffs and vie for the championship game.

WALAX Do you have any advice for kids getting recruited right now?

LC For most people this year, don’t make a decision early; don’t rush into things. If the school really wants you, they will wait for you to make a decision. I was never pressured by any coach at any time to hurry my decision. The recruiting process is accelerating, which is bad, because people miss the late bloomers, and that contributes to the rising number of transfer students.

WALAX What do you think your little brother will be like as he continues his Lacrosse career?

LC I would love to play with my brother in college. That would be amazing. He has a lot of potential, so we will have to see what he chooses to do with it.

WALAX Good luck this season, and good luck with recruiting.  Hopefully, you will get the school of your dreams locked down.