A new varsity high school sport is coming to Polk County Public Schools.
- Lacrosse now sanctioned sport
- No longer have to pay to play
- Practice starts in January
In July, the school board for Polk County Public Schools approved lacrosse as a Florida High School Athletic Association-sanctioned sport at Bartow and Lakeland High Schools.
Currently, Summerlin Academy, located at Bartow High School, just has a lacrosse club.
Its coach approached the new district athletic director about it. The two then proposed the idea to the school board, and it was approved.
“It’s really exciting. We’ve been waiting for this for seven years and I’m really happy that it’s my year that gets to do it,” said Tristan Cross, who will be the Bartow High School Lacrosse team’s Captain.
Coach Derek Keating said players will no longer have to pay to play.
“Hopefully, we’ll get a lot more students wanting to play now that there’s no cost in it and the students themselves now get to play for a wider audience,” said Coach Keating.
“I’m hoping to get plenty of attention from different college coaches and different scouting places,” said Cross.
The club team had a 13-3 record last year, losing in the championship to Pasco County.
“I wouldn’t say we’d win it all, but I hope we get to the playoffs at least,” said Cross.
Practice starts in January. Bartow High School will also have a girls’ lacrosse team. Lakeland High School will also have a girls and boys lacrosse team for the first time.
The district’s athletic director, Dan Talbot, told us Lake Gipson High School and Winter Haven High School are also considering starting teams. They’ll have until Aug. 30 to decide.