Jake Tralongo '22 Recruiting Profile

       My passion for lacrosse started at the age of 8 when a friend threw a stick at me and asked me to play this game that I had no idea existed. I came with him to practice and was immediately hooked.  When I am immersed on the field, nothing else matters.  I am a highly driven player who has never been intimated even though I am always the smallest in stature on my team, especially when playing up for my age.   In eighth grade, I was given the opportunity to be a starter on the High School JV team and was introduced to Coach Bond, who has been one of the most influential people in my life.  He is my life coach and my mentor.  He shared this quote with me, which has solidified the way I play, both in life and lacrosse:  "little beats big when little is smart, first with head and then with the heart".  That is me, with everything I do from my academics to my sports, I am all in.  I am intrinsically motivated and I consistently maintain high standards as a student first, and an athlete second.  My dream has always been to continue playing lacrosse in college while pursuing my love for engineering.  

     When sitting down to write this, it was difficult to say what sets me apart, because I am just being me.  So I asked my coach and others for feedback.  They shared that I have an outstanding ability to display confidence without arrogance, that I stand with great moral character, and that I play with grit and tenacity.  My peers say I am a great team player, the kind who likes to spread the wealth of the ball.  I know that  if I see anyone struggling, I am the first to work with that person and be dedicated to helping them.  I think what makes me different is that I do not want to be the most outstanding player on my team, I want my team to be outstanding.