HoCo Lacrosse Players Compete Off The Field For A Good Cause

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Many high schoolers are having a hard time coping with learning from home, not seeing their friends and being unable to participate in spring sports. But two Howard County lacrosse teams are making the most of their time spent at home and not on the field.

Rivals Mount Hebron and Centennial high schools still are competing, just not in an actual game. They're doing something even bigger that will have a longer-lasting impact. Mount Hebron's Fight for 5 Tournament honoring former Viking player Evan Nicholson was canceled because of the new coronavirus. But Mount Hebron head boys' lacrosse coach Mike McCarthy was inspired to show his players that they could be a force of good in a challenging time.

"I came up with the idea to contact Centennial, our rival for more than 50 years, to come up with a competition to raise money for Zaching Against Cancer," McCarthy told WBAL.

The coach encouraged all of the players to compete in The Suit Up Challenge. Players put on their uniforms and record themselves sharing messages of hope. When a donation to the challenge is made, the donor selects which team the donation represents. All funds will be funneled to the Lederer's foundation. Lederer, a 2011 Centennial graduate, lost a hard fought battle with brain cancer -- his second one -- in 2014.

Centennial head boys' lacrosse coach Ken Senisi said it's been fun seeing how much money has been raised and viewing the kids' videos. Centennial senior Connor Carpenter told WBAL that the initiative has given him and others hope.

"This is also a time of uncertainty, and you don't really know the situation, and there's not a lot of hope. So having a cause, it really does bring that hope back," said Carpenter.

Mount Hebron senior Mateo Brown said said the challenge has been a much appreciated distraction during the new coronavirus pandemic. Any student can participate and wear any uniform, a prom dress, whatever they'd like.

"To do something productive with our time instead of just sitting around playing video games or whatever," said Brown.

As if raising funds isn't enough, when the teams meet their goal, they plan to shave their heads. As of April 15, the teams have raised $44,101. Anyone can participate in the challenge. To donate, visit here.