Imagine settling war disputes between Native American tribes through one game of Lacrosse. A single and last chance to prove who you are. The game was also a native way for the tribes to entertain the gods. Now, imagine using that same sport to pay for your entire college career and entertain hundreds of people in filled stadiums. For Solon High School (SHS) junior Grant McCurry and University of Michigan Lacrosse Commit, this hypothetical is a reality.

Lacrosse as a sport has come a long way since its first recorded game in 1636. The sports overall objective is to have more goals than the opponent, like other sports such has hockey and soccer.

However, over the years the game has changed a great deal. It’s gained popularity and overall safety rules of the game have molded it into a true American sport. Additionally, many large East Coast companies such as East Coast Dyes and Warrior Lacrosse have emerged, bringing the game into more households around the globe, and influencers such as Paul Rabil, a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) player, brings a positive attitude to the sport.

Yet the sport has only recently started to make its way to high schools. Most Northeast Ohio high school programs have only been around for less than 20 years. This does not change the fact that many high school athletes have a profound love for the sport and have played since they were kids.

One of those athletes is McCurry. He has been a Varsity lacrosse player since his freshman year, and even in middle school he was a key component to the team. McCurry had a lot to say about his lacrosse upbringing.

“I started playing Lacrosse when I was six years old when I lived in Pennsylvania, and in Pennsylvania lacrosse is one of the biggest sports,” McCurry said. “But when I moved to Ohio and not a lot of people played or really knew what Lacrosse was I settled on playing baseball. I definitely didn’t enjoy baseball as much as I enjoy Lacrosse which is why I ultimately ended up quitting baseball to play Lacrosse.”  

Most of McCurry’s success came during his sophomore year, his second year on varsity. Being the key player to the offense, McCurry broke the school record for most goals scored in a single game, nine, with the previous record being six.

“I didn’t go into the game thinking I would score nine goals, I went into the game with the mindset of winning my 1v1’s [an isolation play] and getting as many goals as I could, without being selfish,”  McCurry said.

One of McCurry’s strong suits this upcoming season is being able to get the whole team involved and not letting the game become a one man show.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun scoring a lot of goals, but when you have other teammates contributing to the goals and the overall win it makes the game a lot more fun,” McCurry said

Current teammate and Junior Billy Furlong has played alongside McCurry since middle school, and had only positive things to say about grants play style.

“When Grant’s on the field the energy is different,” Furlong said. “He doesn’t fear a match up and is always up for a challenge. Not only is he a really good shooter with both hands, he is also very good at placing his passes exactly where he wants them to go.”

Not only does McCurry have the respect of players around him, he also has acquired  respect from coaches. SHS Lacrosse Coach David spoke about McCurry’s attitude on the field.

“Grant is definitely a special player,” Blue emphasized. “He has high lacrosse IQ and is a strong athlete on the field. In the first week of practice he has shown himself to be a leader and sets precedents by example.”

McCurry will continue his lacrosse career at the University of Michigan, where both of his brothers play football and both of his parents are alumni. A true family tradition.

“When my oldest brother Jake got the offer from Michigan it was an easy answer from him and my parents. Then my other brother Ryan got offered, which made the decision even easier. Now that I have fully committed it’s almost become an unspoken tradition in a way”