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Jan 11, 2013

St. Francis Lacrosse Players Take Honors in Natl. Tournament

Five St. Francis Episcopal Day School student-athletes recently vied in the pinnacle of youth lacrosse competition at the 2012 Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions in Tampa, Fla. From December 29–31, their Houston Lacrosse Academy U13 team HouLAguns enjoyed a tourney run that would see them crowned the top U13 team in Texas and the fourth-ranked team in the nation.

The team qualified for the competition after topping their division at the Warrior Summer Sizzle Lacrosse Tournament held last June in Charlotte, N.C. In Tampa, the boys advanced to the final four as a No. 3 seed and first-round bye after a no-loss initial day of competition. They went on to a total 4-2 record, losing the third-place finals game to the Baltimore Breakers on the last day of tournament play.

Led by Head Coach Mike Newton and Assistant Coach Nick Huckins, “Guns” team members included St. Francis eighth graders Brent Bishop, Braden Hovermale and Dylan Poynter, and seventh graders Parker Browne and Reese Sullivan. Comprising the rest of the team were Quinn Binney, Sean Cordill, Ryan Crouch, Austin Finta, Greg Hill, Ramsey McCreary, James McDowell, Jacob Moore, Grant Murphy, Clayton Nugent, Jacob Piekielniak, Nick Rauchle, Jackson Shearer, Jack Weithman and Mitch Williams.

Don Hicks, St. Francis Director of Physical Education and Athletics, joined the St. Francis community in celebrating the accomplishments of Brent, Braden, Dylan, Parker and Reese. “The success of these young men reflects our school's commitment to excellence both in the classroom and on the field. We look forward to seeing them lead this year’s St. Francis boys' lacrosse program.”