Boys Lacrosse: A New Season Begins

The 2024-2025 boys lacrosse season has finally arrived, with returning stars, new faces, and brand new challenges for our athletes to face. Practices officially started last Monday, February 24th, and with their first  game rapidly approaching, excitement and determination continues to build for what promises to be an incredible season.
Our Bulldogs have joined forces with Grand Junction High School and Central High School to create a combined team under the Tigers’ banner. Competing under the 4A Mountain League, the Tigers will compete against Montrose, Telluride, Crested Butte, Durango, Fruita Monument, Aspen, and a few others.
The Tigers are welcoming a wave of new talent this season, with a mix of new underclassmen and well-seasoned Juniors and Seniors. While the underclassmen begin to make their mark, the leadership of 14 Seniors will set the tone and guide the team throughout their final season.
Our athletes practice five days a week at Grand Mesa Middle School, giving their all into honing their skills, improving their techniques, and enhancing their physical fitness. Though the team does not make cuts, athletes still participate in a three-day tryout evaluation of effort, level of play, and understanding. Players will show their skills in a wall ball test, a mile in seven minutes and 30 seconds, and other essential drills.
This season, the boys are fortunate to have a wide range of experienced coaches to help guide them towards victory. Head Coach Renteria is joined by four other specialists. For defensive training, the athletes are led by Coach D and Assistant Coach Tony. For offensive training, they are led by Coach Andrew and Assistant Coach Kessler.
Senior Joseph Zambrano, a Varsity Defensive Midfielder, has been playing throughout his high school career. He reflects on last year’s successes, and offers insights for the improvements and goals the team will have for the rest of the season. “Last season was our first year making it back to playoffs after a lengthy drought of not quite making it there,” Zambrano states. “Our biggest strength was having a fairly well rounded team with good connections allowing for good team work.”
For our Palisade Athletics program, good bonds between players and coaches is one of the most vital aspects for performing well during the season, with the boys lacrosse program being a prime example. “The team dynamic is great this year.” Zambrano adds. “We are all much closer and much more leadership focused, allowing us to focus more on our technique.”
Looking forward, the team’s biggest goal this year is to make it to playoffs for back to back years. “We want to bring a trophy back to this side of the mountain,” Zambrano explains. “There isn’t a better time to do it than now.”
The team competes in their first game this Friday, March 7th. They will travel to Montrose to compete against the Montrose High School RedHawks. Good luck this season Tigers.