The future is bright for the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School boys lacrosse program. Eagles newcomer Ty Wilson, Class of 2024, has been drafted into the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL). Wilson was drafted 4th overall by the St. Catharines Athletics and is the second player from Rabun Gap to be drafted to the OJLL and St. Catharines.
The Ontario Junior Lacrosse League is the top junior box lacrosse league in Ontario. Many athletes who compete in the OJLL are drafted into the National Lacrosse League. The league is made up of 11 teams. Box lacrosse differs from field lacrosse which Wilson will play at Rabun Gap. It is played on a thawed or covered ice hockey rink that still has the glass and boards intact. During the game, each team will have five runners and a goalie on the floor at a time with the runners rotating in shifts.
Wilson, a native of Oshawa, Ontario, hoped to be drafted to St. Catharines. He is very familiar with Head Coach Steve Toll and spoke enthusiastically about being drafted and getting to continue playing under Toll.
“I’ve been playing with Steve Toll for most of my life. He’s a great guy, everyone loves him, and he coaches in a proper way,” he said. “I’m very excited to be wearing the St. Catharines jersey. I’m looking forward to getting to play with the team and am especially excited to play against (rival) Whitby.”
This is Wilson’s first year playing for the Rabun Gap lacrosse team, where he will be the starting goaltender. He is greatly looking forward to the season.
“I am so excited for my first season as an Eagle,” he said. “I’m counting down the days and I’ve been telling everyone to come out and support us.”
Head Coach Ryne Linsley is thrilled about the achievement and looks forward to the impact that Wilson will have on the team.
“Having an experienced goalie allows us to take some risks that we want to take. Ty allows us to play a little more of an aggressive style of defense, which is what we want. From a style standpoint, he allows us to play a style that we want to play,” Linsley said. “Outside of how we’re actually going to play the game, I think his biggest impact is going to be from his leadership. He’s a new student but our guys are looking at him in a leadership role. If you’re a goaltender you have to be a leader and Ty is really embracing that position.”
Wilson will join Rabun Gap junior Jack Moores, who was drafted last year, both as an Eagle and an Athletic. The two look forward to being teammates in both field and box lacrosse and will join St. Catharines following the conclusion of Rabun Gap’s academic year.
The Rabun Gap Eagles lacrosse team will play their home opener on Thursday, February 23, at 7 p.m., where they will face off against Gainesville High School.
