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Boris Stankovič - Here is not “me”, but “we” or a “team”

Boris, our defender plays lacrosse already three years. Now he is on study exchange in cradle of field lacrosse – Thomas Worthington High School (USA), where he plays for a school team. Boris told us about his experiences with a high school lacrosse.

Tricksters.sk: Studying at a high school in the USA is big experience, how school is and how was your beginning?

„It is cool. I recommend it to all of you. I was scared and hesitated at beginning, but now I know it is one of the best things what could happened to me.“

Tricksters.sk: What about college life? Is it same like in American Pie movie..? :)

„The life here positively is, but not so wild as it could seem. Besides, we know American movies…“

Tricksters.sk: Sport is „religion“ in the USA so the sport at the school plays an important role. Very popular are games on high schools and universities. What is your experience with this phenomenon?

„Yes, it is common that on varsity games comes from two hundred to five hundred people. For example to one of the most important football matches came seven hundred people and it is even bigger on universities. I can say that university sport is even more popular than a professional sport and it was a quite a big surprise for me.“

Tricksters.sk: Let’s talk about lacrosse. At your school it is probably first of all field lacrosse. How is a lacrosse atmosphere over there? What people prefer – football, basketball or lacrosse?

„To be honest, Ohio is a state of football first of all because their university team plays NCAA, so lacrosse does not get that much attention. Besides lacrosse program started here just twenty years ago. However, our lacrosse team is cool. Freshmen learn from seniors. We go to gym together and it is good to know that even if we play other age group we are all good friends.“

Tricksters.sk: How is your team quality and what are your team's goals?

„I must say that we have a pretty good team. Sure we still have a winter break and we play just indoor league. It is just a less important league where the only goal is to stay in touch with the stick that we do not lose the feel of it. Anyway, if we do hard practice now, we could play for good place at the end of the season.“

Tricksters.sk: What do you mean by indoor league? Box lacrosse or field lacrosse with long-sticks in a hall?

„Basically it is slightly adjusted field lacrosse. We play in box lacrosse ring with artificial grass, 60 minutes. We play 5 on 5 without long-sticks but it is a rather softer style.“

Tricksters.sk: How do you remember your first match?

„I remember this very well. It was in Ivanka, we played against Monarchs, I had a ball two times and I botched it. I also remember Mark's domino-effect. The very first match you just can not forget.“

Tricksters.sk: Certainly it is hard to forget the very first match, but I meant your very first match in the States at your school where you are right now. What was your experience?

„Oh sorry, we misunderstood each other. We start play league just in the spring but at my first indoor match I was nervous. I was nervous and my game also looked like that. Ball fell down, I had a short and not accurate passes. Oh my, it was not a good beginning…“

Tricksters.sk: What about practices? You did not like “Ameriky” and “Mad dogs” on Tricksters practices. Did you find something harder or do you still remember them gladly? :)

„Yes, I was surprised. We focus more on a speed and legs performance, no mad dogs.“

Tricksters.sk: So practices are in full stream. How does it look like typical high school lacrosse practice in USA?

„As I said, we are in the middle of winter preparation so these are not full power practices. So far we have a gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. After Monday and Wednesday practice we do speed. On Sunday we do individual defense. Defense practice is about long passes, positioning, legs performance and feeding. That's about it.“

Tricksters.sk: Practices plus one game per week, it is 4 days of lacrosse during winter. How does it look like in the spring or summer?

„Actually five times. Fitness 3 times, gym one time and one match. It will be hard in spring, it will be fitness before and after school practice and one or two times game per week. It will be difficult but I am looking forward to it.“

Tricksters.sk: From who are you trying to learn the most? Do you have another favorite player besides Kyle Carey? Do you have aother lacrosse idol?

„Yes, I found. Obviously I am trying to learn as much as possible from Kyle, but next to Kyle we have more good defensemen here. For example Ross Griffin who has a great chances to play for a good university as well. However, we should not forget that defense is not about one or two players but about seven players when we count in also goalie.“

Tricksters.sk: Is there something new in lacrosse you have found in the States? How influences your American experience your relation to lacrosse?

"I found that here does not exist the word “me”, but rather “we” or a “team”. I have also found that enthusiasm of the players for this sport again, which reminds me why I play this sport and why I love it so much. At the end I found that at the field you do not play on but you fight.:

Tricksters.sk: I expect, you mean „fight till the end“ as we know American and Canadian athletes. Do you think, we can learn it or it is just in mentality? Can you fight till the end in spite of loosing game?

"As I said it is was one the things I have laerned here. I tried to play till the end also before, but now I fight for each scoop, sprint even I feel can not, or play the ball till it is on field. Simple more fight. Maybe it is thanks to our team and its support, because they still support me and encouraging me even I did something wrong.:

Tricksters.sk: Let’s go shortly back to Finland European Championships. How do you evaluate overall performance of the first historical event for the Slovak lacrosse? What do you remember the most?

„I must say that even if we were there just a very first time we finished in a good place. With more luck we could end up even better. What I remember the most? Unfortunatelly it is the very last match against Latvia. That game we damaged so much that it costs us one rank.“

Tricksters.sk: In the middle of June, you will be returning home to your mother team Tricksters LT. Team has grown up and is preparing for NBLL and NFLL. What do you like to play?

„Of course that I am looking forward to play with my teamates but also when I will see progress of the youngsters. Good news is that the team has spread out and I can not wait to see them play.“

Tricksters.sk: A long before Finland's cham­pionship you indicated that you are becoming valuable and universal player. How do you see your future in lacrosse community?

„Thanks for the credit but I still have to learn a lot. When I see how lightly this guys play my jaw fall down. After match when I do something wrong I try to say my self you could play better.“

Tricksters.sk: The new year is still ahead of us. What do you wish the most for this year?

„Right now, I wish the most that I could play for Varsity which is the senior league. Apart of it a happy retunr home, successful exams, driver license and graduation, but I still have a time for this.“

Tricksters.sk: Boris, we keep you fingers crossed and wish you a happy return!

„Thanks :P“