As a late bloomer to the sport Will Cecile was thrilled to get picked by the Georgia Swarm of the National Lacrosse League during last weekend's draft. "It's surreal".
Chosen in the second round, 32nd overall, Cecile was a baseball player before picking up lacrosse when he was eight. Two years later he dedicated himself to lacrosse and has grown into a steady defender.
This summer the 21-year old played Jr. A with the Burlington Chiefs and earlier this month won gold at the World Junior Lacrosse Championship in Winnipeg with Canada East. "I was fortunate enough to gain a lot of exposure playing this summer which allowed me to climb in the ranks" said the Kennedy grad.
Also chosen in the NLL draft was his childhood neighbour Patrick Kaschalk, who went 16th overall in the first round to Albany. "Growing up with Patrick, he was one of my many role models. He took me under his wing at a young age. Having both our names called was a pretty special moment for both of us".
Kaschalk played in seven games with the NCAA's Stoney Brook Seawolves this past season and tallied six goals and one assist. He is a business management major at Brookhaven, New York school.
The Holy Names grad says getting drafted on the same day as his friend was a full circle moment, "He's like my little brother" said Kaschalk. "We've been training together for years. I was always hard on him but he kept coming back so I have the utmost respect for him and his work ethic.
Kaschalk feels the draft is a feather in the cap for John Rosa and the Kavanaugh family who have done a lot for the game in the area. "This just shows that they are doing great work and it's helping players break through.
Cecile says Georgia training camp begins in November, "so the plan is to continue my training and when the time comes show up with something to prove".
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