Every spring, the Spartanburg High School’s girls and boys lacrosse teams gear up for another successful season. Starting in early February, the Vikings have faced off in fierce competition against schools across the state. As both teams continue to battle and build on their progress, their eyes remain firmly set on the state tournament.
The Lady Vikings kicked off their season with an impressive victory against the River Bluff Gators at Viking Stadium, winning 15-7. The girls’ lacrosse team faced their first loss in a hard-fought match against JL Mann, falling 10-9 in double overtime. However, the Lady Vikings bounced back the following day, securing a 6-5 victory over the Clover Blue Eagles.
This year’s team is led by captains Jennifer Barnica (12) and Madelyn Stephens (12), alongside Brice Krydynski (11) and Saffy Evans (11). Being a captain is an honor that comes with responsibilities like leading warmups and encouraging teammates.
Evans said she is proud to serve as a captain and enjoys stepping into a leadership role.
“I enjoy being one of the captains of the girls lacrosse team because it allows me to step into a leadership role. I feel like I help my team by being encouraging and positive in every situation,” Evans said.
One of the girls lacrosse team’s most meaningful traditions is promoting Morgan’s Message, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving student-athletes’ mental health. This initiative has become an integral part of Spartanburg High School’s lacrosse program.
Charlotte Ward (11) is a Morgan’s Message ambassador, believes sharing the organization’s mission with her team and the community is incredibly impactful.
“Being able to share Morgan’s Message with my team is so special, and I feel so honored. Being a student-athlete can definitely come with some stress at times, so being able to remind myself and my teammates that they are always supported is very important,” Ward said.
On the boy’s side, the Vikings faced early challenges with multiple tough matchups both on the road and at home. They opened their season with four losses against some of the top teams in the state. However, the team’s determination never wavered. The boys rallied to turn their season around, beginning a five-game win streak with a 7-5 victory over the Byrnes Rebels.
This year’s boys lacrosse team is led by Seth Miller (12), Malachi Watts (12) and Anderson Hanke (12), along with Chapman Hughes (10). The captains have worked tirelessly to grow on the field, and their progress is evident during each game.
Miller said the team’s resilience and strong sense of teamwork have helped them stay competitive.
“I think the lacrosse team is playing great as a team. We’ve been very close to beating some top 10 teams in the state, and our team is very young, so the next few years will be bright,” Miller said.
