Spartan Lacrosse: We Are Family

"Family" has long been the mantra of Glenbrook North's athletic teams, but perhaps no one has embraced and grown from that mentality quite like the Spartans' 2011 boys varsity lacrosse team. Under the tutelage of fifth year head coach Justin Georgacakis, the Spartans produced the second most wins in program history along with a host of individual accolades that led to a 15-4 record and a post-season victory as the sixth seed in the IHSLA A-Class Playoffs.

"As a coach, to be a part of a team that was perfect in so many ways - the way they carried themselves, the way they spoke, the way they worked, how they bought into this family idea - it was a very special season to be a part of," said Georgacakis, also known as Geo. "If you work and put your desires on the line, you can be successful - it's not just a saying - and this team proved that. I hope they carry this and apply it towards the rest of their lives."

Six Spartans earned All-Conference recognition this spring, including seniors Kyle Fernitz and Tommy Champman, who along with Charlie Carlisle, were selected to play in the Illinois A-Class All-Star game, which took place last Friday at Benedictine University in Lisle. Juniors Ryan Davlantes and Jimin Choi were also named All-Conference, as were sophomores Matt Brown and Ryan Maksimovic.

Maksimovic, who broke school records in goals and points scored, also collected All-State honors (2nd team) and senior Nathan Kelleher became just the third Spartan Academic All-American.

While it would have been very easy for the Spartans' cohesiveness to unravel due to the abundance of individual acknowledgements, Georgacakis' squad did just the opposite, as only a family could.

"Some of our kids didn't get the recognition they deserved, but if you ask them, they'd tell you how happy they were for their teammates," the coach said emphatically. "Every single person on this team would have given up any single award to continue to play at the end of the season. You don't see or hear that very much anymore."

"I've played on countless numbers of lacrosse teams and played so many games, but there's really no team that's ever going to be like this one," added Brown.

Though Geo and the Spartans are set to return plenty of talent next season, including goaltenders Matt Greenfield and Matt Needham, the graduating class of 2011 takes with them irreplaceable character.

"On top of having captains, we had leaders," Geo said. "These seniors knew not just how to lead, but how and when to follow so we could work together as a team. As a collective group, they were phenomenal, and they'll leave a lasting impression."

"We were the closest group of kids I think that's ever gone through this program," insisted recent graduate John Brandell insisted. "From the bus rides to coming out to practice every day and working hard, we all had fun and we knew we could hang with anyone we went up against - it was a great atmosphere to be a part of."

Georgacakis was also quick to point out the effort and contributions of his assistants, Darryl Skale and brothers Mike and Trevor Synek, along with the team's manager, Aaron Wurtzel.

"Four years with Aaron was a great experience," said a smiling Geo. "Finding someone to fill those shoes specifically will be tough."

But no matter who steps up for the Spartans on the field or on the sidelines in 2012, the goals remain the same: work, win and grow as a family... and of course, beat New Trier.

"Beating New Trier is obviously a huge task and would be a great accomplishment," said Brown, the program's first sophomore-captain. "With all of the time we put in on the field and in the weight room, no one is going to come out next year and out-work us. We're going to have a lot of talent and we're going to put forth a ton of effort as a family and hopefully that can help make the difference."