The Regis Jesuit boys lacrosse program has long turned out elite talent, which is gradually drawing more national attention.
With players such as Tanner Ottenbreit and Rhody Heller going to the University of Virginia last year and numerous others in previous years heading to lacrosse hotbeds of various sizes on the East Coast, coach Jim Soran’s program has become heralded for the skilled players it continues to produce.
The latest on the national radar is senior-to-be Brian Wegner, who was one of 12 players added Thursday to the final roster for the annual event, which is scheduled for Aug. 13-15 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. He becomes the third Regis Jesuit player selected in the 3-year history of the Warrior 40, following Ottenbreit, a defender, and goalie Heller, who were part of the inaugural event in Boston in 2010.
“I was hoping for the possibility, but I wasn’t really sure because usually these things have an East Coast bias and it’s hard to get kids out there,” Wegner said. “I think there are 10 kids from west of the Mississippi and three from Colorado, so the Warrior did a great job of giving everybody a chance.”
Wegner and the select group of underclassmen from across the country will compete in an all-star skills competition, practice and game action while receiving instruction from players in Major League Lacrosse.
As a junior, the steady 5-foot-11, 180-pound long stick middie helped Regis Jesuit — which made it to the state semifinals before losing to Cherry Creek — remain strong defensively, using more intelligence and quickness than brawn and serving as a team captain. Wegner tied for tops on the team with 50 groundballs (2.9 per game) and finished second in takeaways with 15.
“I think my athleticism was big; they are looking for good athletes across the board, not just big kids who can run through people,” Wegner said. “They are looking for players who know the game, who are strong and fast. I think my style of play as far as pushing the ball upfield, putting it on the ground and picking it up was a factor.”
Wegner was also glad make the event because of how much he learned from Ottenbreit, who was a big influence on him in terms of leadership and approach to the game when the Raiders won the state championship in 2010.
Wegner is a University of Denver commitment as is one of the two other Colorado players picked for the Warrior 40 — Wheat Ridge attackman Pete Aplet. Rock Canyon attackman Wilkins Dismuke, who is headed to Johns Hopkins, rounds out the local contingent among a group that includes players from 17 other states.
Dismuke was the lone Colorado player picked for the Warrior 40 in 2011, when the participants came out of tryouts instead of selection.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555