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More out-of-state players than ever before on the USU men’s lacrosse team  

March 22nd, 2015 Posted in Sports

By Chase Ringle
Nortern Utah Lax

The 2015 Utah State University men’s lacrosse team has the most out-of-state players it has ever had. A team that has traditionally been filled with athletes from all around the state of Utah now has more players from outside of the state than it does from within.

“The 2015 team represents 28 high schools from nine different states from California to New York,” said USU head coach Jon Atwood. “We have 16 players from out of state and 13 in-state players.”

Since 2006 USU has had players from out of Utah on its roster, but it wasn’t until 2013 when the numbers really started to increase significantly. USU had 11 out-of-state players in 2013 and then 13 the following year.

“A big appeal of Utah State is its campus life and small town atmosphere, — it attracts players from all over the country,” Atwood said. “The out-of-state players bring a diverse range of experience, skill and personality. The culture of Aggie lacrosse has become a unique brotherhood.”

One of the players who is a part of that diverse brotherhood is Blade Garlow. Garlow, who leads the team in points per game this season, is from Medina, New York, and has been an integral part of the USU lacrosse team, according to Atwood.

“Coach Atwood gave me a chance, he helped me with the acceptance process and gave me a shot,” Garlow said. “I love Logan, it’s beautiful.”

Garlow, a junior at USU who recently scored five goals and had four assists in a win against the College of Idaho, was the former Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference rookie of the year in 2013, and said he will be back next season to finish his collegiate career at USU.

As the number of out-of-state players at USU continues to increase, so do the number of wins. In 2012 when USU had only two out-of-state players on its roster the team had an overall record of 4-6. Last season USU went 8-4.

This season the Aggies have started off 4-3 and are ranked 17th in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association.

“My expectations for this season are higher than they’ve ever been before,” Atwood said.

-mdl

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