The Red Knight boys lacrosse team made their way down to St. Louis, Missouri for their spring trip from April 7th to April 10th, something they haven’t been able to do since 2019 due to COVID. The bus departed on its nine-hour drive Thursday afternoon, and the team returned Sunday night.

The spring trip has been an annual tradition for the boy’s team. For the seniors, this was their second spring trip besides 2019. In 2019 the team traveled to Baltimore where they got to practice at some iconic venues including the US Lacrosse Facility and Homewood Field—home of the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays.

With most high schools across the country already in season, the team didn’t face any opposing teams in St. Louis, yet plenty of lacrosse was still played during the weekend. The Red Knights were hosted by MICDS (Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School), where they practiced two to three times a day between meals. In total the team spent 4-6 hours per day practicing and preparing for the season during their time in St. Louis. Boosting team morale in the pre-season is also an added bonus to the trip, “Having these spring trips allows the team to flow better on the field, and create friendships on and off the field,” senior captain Cam Gelling said.

Building better chemistry and becoming more familiar as a team are primary reasons for the spring trip. Taking time to travel in the spring can pay dividends during the season as well. “The main purpose of the trip is to develop that chemistry that a team needs to succeed later on in the season… My favorite part is getting to know the younger kids that have joined the roster and just playing lacrosse,” senior goalie and captain, Justin Dalum, said.

The team graduated eleven seniors after their state championship win last year. However, the Red Knight roster is still loaded with eight players who will be playing at the collegiate level next year, including five Division 1 players and three Division 3 players. The Red Knights certainly have lofty expectations heading into the 2022 season. Ranked number one in the state heading into the season, the team aims to defend their state title from a year ago. If they do so, it will mark BSM’s fifth consecutive appearance in the state final game.