STICKING out

Sophomore Stands Out On High School Lacrosse Team

By Abbey Elalouf

It all started for Flynn Leonard ‘25 at the age of six. With a Maverick Kinetic lacrosse stick in hand, 6-year-old Leonard faced fourth graders. Despite his size, Leonard had the skill and talent to follow and play with the older kids for four years.

Because Leonard was so young, playing against older kids caused him to get hurt more often. Despite the injuries, he believes it helped grow and develop him into the player he is today.

After four years, Leonard dropped a few age categories and only played one year above him. “I played a year up all the way until I was in eighth grade, and then I went down to my own grade level,” Leonard said.

Leonard now plays for three teams. Two national teams and Monarch’s combined team.

“You get selected for national teams,” Leonard said. “You don’t really get to try out for them. There are kids from all over the country, mostly on the East Coast, and we travel for tournaments to places like Maryland, California, and Florida.”

Playing on three teams leaves Leonard with little to no free time. When high school lacrosse is not in season, Leonard finds himself practicing just as much to stay on top.

“I have practices three times a week, and then my own training every morning before school, five days a week,” Leonard said. “Most of the time I’m traveling for tournaments on the weekends, and I’ll leave on Fridays halfway through school and get back late on Sundays.”

With his days full of lacrosse, Leonard finds himself spending the majority of his time with offensive coordinator, coach Doug Jolly.

“He’s been coaching me since freshman year,” Leonard said. “He’s the offensive coordinator and is more focused on me and the offense.”

Coach Jolly feels Leonard has talent and is extraordinary.

“He immediately stood out,” Jolly said. “His skill level was off the chart as a freshman, and now that he’s put the time in physically, he’s where he needs to be. Mentally, he has a really high IQ as far as the process goes and he’s an incredible teammate.”

On top of his good attitude and strength, there’s one thing Leonard has that differs him from other top players. His number.

“I’ve had 23 for my whole life,” he said. “It was my dad’s number when he played, and I’ve had it since I was little.”

Ever since Jolly saw number 23 from the first day at tryouts, he saw a player bursting at the seams with potential and dedication.

“He’s a kid who can play D1 in college if he wants,” Jolly said. And that’s exactly what Leonard dreams of doing.