Ian Swartzendruber was once the middle schooler in the Fallston lacrosse youth program who occasionally glanced over to the high school seniors watching their practice. For the Cougars, development begins years before their players reach high school. Swartzendruber wanted to one day be like those 18-year-olds he saw, and he was only starting to learn what it took to arrive there.
Years later, after Swartzendruber’s Fallston boys lacrosse team played in its fourth state championship game in the senior’s career, the Cougars’ dynamic goal scorer is The Aegis boys lacrosse Player of the Year. With 44 goals and 12 assists, he led an unrelenting attack that powered Fallston to a Class 1A state runner-up finish, making a slew of individual memories along the way.
“Obviously, it sucks that we lost the state championship game, especially in the way that we did,” Swartzendruber said. “But when you break it down, I’ve been to three state championships in a row. It’s really the journey.”
Swartzendruber had been eyeing those goal and assist totals since his junior season. Fallston coach Patrick Mull conducts exit meetings after every spring with returning players. There, Mull gave Swartzendruber a benchmark to reach for: 40 goals and 20 assists.
Just short on the assist tally but eclipsing the scoring mark, Swartzendruber led Fallston to a 18-2 overall record, including an appearance in the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference title game and another state final.
“That slips under the radar for me sometimes, like I don’t even realize how lucky I am,” he said.
By most metrics, it was an undeniably successful season. But Fallston has higher hopes. The Cougars squandered a seven-goal lead in the second half of the championship contest, allowing eight unanswered scores in the game’s final minutes to drop what appeared to be a sure victory.
Swartzendruber and his fellow seniors have been wrestling with the aftermath of that loss in the weeks since. The devastating defeat stings. But reaching the state championship every year of their careers might be equally as impressive, lengthening a dominant run and maintaining Fallston’s status as the area’s premier developmental program that year after year produces players like Swartzendruber.
“Now, I’m a senior and at the top of the pipeline. It’s cool to see that that’s how it can go,” he said. “It’s good to know the program is in good hands for years to come.”
Coach of the Year
Andy LeBrun, C. Milton Wright
LeBrun, in this third season leading his alma mater, captured the renewed UCBAC title game with an upset victory over Fallston and led his Mustangs to a state quarterfinal appearance and 10-5 overall record.
All-County first team
Chace Allen, Aberdeen, senior, attack
Allen was also named first-team All-County by the area’s coaches.
Gabe Bravo, Havre de Grace, sophomore, attack
The lone sophomore on the All-Aegis first team led a young Warriors squad that returns several key players next season.
Tyler Morris, C. Milton Wright, senior, attack
Morris is one of two brothers and six C. Milton Wright players to appear on the All-Aegis first team.
Jaden Riley, Fallston, senior, attack
Riley scored four goals in the Cougars’ state championship game defeat.
Braxton Marchand, C. Milton Wright, junior, midfield
Marchand was the lone short-stick defensive midfielder to be named first-team All-County by the area’s coaches.
Gavin Morris, C. Milton Wright, senior, midfield
Morris was also named first-team All-County by the area’s coaches.
John Okougbo, Aberdeen, senior, midfield
Okougbo helped Allen form a potent duo for the Eagles.
Dylan Sander, C. Milton Wright, senior, midfield
Sander, a repeat All-Aegis first-team member, is committed to Mount St. Mary’s.
RJ Wilhelm, Patterson Mill, senior, midfield
Wilhelm, who also stars in football for the Huskies, was also named first-team All-County by the area’s coaches.
Kyle Ashman, C. Milton Wright, senior, defense
Ashman led a defense that pushed the Mustangs to an UCBAC title and state semifinal appearance.
Owen King, Fallston, senior, defense
King anchored Fallston’s defense, which allowed an average of fewer than four goals per game in the state tournament.
Cooper Savelle, Fallston, junior, defense
Savelle partnered with King to form an imposing back line for the Cougars.
Ben Gaughan, Bel Air, senior, defense
Gaughan, one-third of Bel Air’s “Huggies,” led a Bobcats team that reached the state quarterfinals.
Zach Curry, C. Milton Wright, senior, goalie
Curry stunted Fallston in the UCBAC title game, holding the then-two-time defending state champions to six goals in the victory.
Dominic Foster, Fallston, senior, faceoff
Foster was critical in the Cougars’ dynamic offense and powered so many of his team’s lopsided victories.
All-County second team
Jarred Burton, Edgewood, junior, defense
Nate Chanoski, Fallston, senior, attack
Garrett Diblasi, C. Milton Wright, junior, face-off
Jack Friskey, Fallston, senior, midfield
Aedan Gilbert, John Carroll, senior, midfield
Caleb Kerr, North Harford, senior, midfield
Sam Levi, C. Milton Wright, junior, attack
Peter Myers, Bel Air, senior, midfield
Carter Priet, North Harford, junior, defense
Grayson Pohlner, C. Milton Wright, senior, defense
Brendan Rey, Fallston, junior, midfield
Ethan Smith, North Harford, freshman, goalie
Grant Smith, Bel Air, senior, attack
Trent Wrzosek, Harford Tech, senior, midfield
Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.
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