The Winona Lacrosse team is starting to make a name for themselves this season. After starting as a club sport four years ago, the team is finally playing games at the varsity level.

Coach Jack Keilty has played a major part in the growth of Winona Lacrosse. After agreeing to coach the team heading into last season, Keilty led the team to an 11-2 season and Minnesota Boys Scholastic Lacrosse Association state championship at the junior varsity level.

Now in his second season, and first at the varsity level, Keilty is finding life much harder at the varsity level. The Winona “Hawks”, a name the team voted on, are 2-4 on the season. The Hawks will look to improve before the season comes to an end. The Hawks compete against teams like Hudson, Waconia, Mankato, St. Paul, Wayzata, and Becker.

“Lacrosse uses some of the same muscles as Hockey,” said Senior attacker John Rickoff, who excels in both sports.

“The sport is really growing in Winona,”  added fellow senior Marcus Kuhlmann.

John and Marcus also raved about their assistant coach Josh Puetz. Puetz, a former Marine, pushes the team in practice more than any coach the players have ever had. “He is intense, but makes us better,” said Rickoff.

This season, the program has added an under 13 team, for younger kids to learn the sport at earlier ages. “It is nice because we didn’t have this opportunity,” stated Marcus Kuhlmann, “This program is on the right track.”