Titans lacrosse rides into another season

First home game this Saturday, March 8

By Than Acuff

Growth continues for the Crested Butte Titans lacrosse team with 50 players out for the squad this year, several of whom have been with the program during its formative years and look to build on the foundation this year.

They started playing a full varsity schedule two years ago and finished 5-9 in their inaugural season. Last year Carter Brock stepped into the head coaching role with returning assistant coaches Alex Solomon and Chris Leavett staying on as well and the team finished 6-9 with a stronger team dynamic fully established.

“The kids seemed like they wanted to be there and were pumped,” says Brock. “I thought it was a great growth season and we put ourselves in position to be in several close games.”

The Titans lost 10 seniors to graduation but have 10 seniors again this year and with Brock, Solomon and Leavett all back as coaches as well as numerous volunteer coaches stepping in to help, they’re looking to continue building the program.

“It’s awesome,” says Brock. “We’re trying to pick up where we left off.”

While there are some big shoes to fill in some spots, Brock is excited about who he has this year in all positions.

“We have a pretty solid junior core at attack with senior Rowan Dishmon as a leader,” says Brock. “We have a lot of depth at middie and they’re looking fast. We have some really good athletes and a couple of guys ready to step into bigger roles as defensemen and sophomore Mason Colucci and new player Tristan Loftus as goalies, both who played through West Elk.”

Workouts started officially for the Titans on Monday, February 24 and they’ve spent the first week and a half getting time on the turf field at Western as well as workouts in the gyms at Crested Butte Community School.

“We were able to get three practices on the Western turf last week, did some strength and conditioning in Crested Butte trying to get legs back and had a team meeting to talk about strategy and expectations,” says Brock.

The Titans will get their first test of the season this Saturday, March 8 at home when they host Eagle Valley at 1 p.m. at the Gunnison High School football field, though it is currently covered in snow. If that remains the case Saturday, they may get a chance to play the game on the Western turf. 

“Eagle Valley is a solid team,” says Brock. “Our entire schedule looks great. We’ve got a couple of good matchups and, obviously, league play is super important. If the league is anything like last year, we’re going to have to win the close games because there’s going to be a lot of tight battles. And we have to stay healthy.”

As the snow continues to subside, the Titans will host all of their home games at the Gunnison football field.

“The kids are excited about that,” says Brock. “These guys are hungry. We’re just taking it one game at a time and try to win the day.”

The Titans hit the road next week for two games and then have their next home game on Thursday, March 20 against Telluride.