Mercer Island Cracks the Nations Top 25 Rankings, at 21

MERCER ISLAND, WA, Aug. 17, 2010—This small island community of nearly 23,000 people made national news last week when its high school varsity lacrosse team was ranked 21st in the nation (out of some 3,000) and fourth on the west coast by the sport’s governing body, US Lacrosse.

The Islanders finished the 2010 season with a 21-1 record; its only loss was the state final game against Bellevue, in overtime.  It was the team’s ninth season under Coach Ian O’Hearn, who was raised in New York State and played at the State University of New York at Albany.

“To come from not being on the radar 10 years ago to breaking into the Top 25 in the country is an amazing milestone,” says Mercer Island Lacrosse Club President Dan Taylor. “I continue to see a bright future ahead for the Mercer Island Lacrosse program regardless of future rankings.  It is not always about numbers, but more importantly the quality of the experience and opportunities we provide to our players to enable them to aspire to their potential.”

Mercer Island’s growing boys’ lacrosse program, which now incorporates 16 youth teams from first to twelfth, has gained national attention not only with its regular season performances, but also by hosting the Northwest Invitational, and travelling nationally.  The invitational, which draws state champions from across the nation and British Columbia to Washington to compete against Washington's top teams has become a landmark event for the Islanders.  Mercer Island also gauges itself by traveling each spring for games on the east coast to play high school programs.  This year, the boys traveled to O’Hearn’s old turf, where they played such stalwart opponents as Mahopac, Lakeland-Panas and Gulderland, unexpectedly winning all three matches.

Mercer Island’s ranking is especially significant considering the sport’s growth over the past decade. When Coach O’Hearn arrived to Washington in 2002, Mercer Island had just four lacrosse teams: two middle school teams, one JV team and a Varsity squad.  Now, the island boasts three 1st/2nd grade teams, four 3rd/4th grade teams, three 5th/6th grade teams, three 7th/8th grade teams, a Frosh/Soph team, a JV team and a Varsity team, typifying the explosion not only on Mercer Island, but also in Washington.

Each year, a handful of graduates continue on to college teams. This fall, at least five of the 12 graduates will play college Lacrosse, including a Top 10 Division 3 squad.  Jon Wettack, who was also named a 2010 All-American, led the Islanders in their undefeated regular season.  “Our greatest accomplishment is in building a [Mercer Island lacrosse] community that provides a place for young people to belong, to be challenged, to contribute and give back,” says Mark Larson, considered the “Godfather” of Mercer Island lacrosse, having initiated the youth lacrosse program 15 years ago.

This growth has been mirrored state-wide, with double-digit increases year over year for the last  eight years.  In part thanks to Mercer Island’s success, coaches already have begun  looking westward for recruitment.  “I am very happy Washington high school lacrosse is starting to get some national exposure,” says O’Hearn.