Ryan Wilko '25 Recruiting Profile

I know that I am different from other recruits because I am not like most lacrosse players - I stand out because of my size.  My size has not only made me work harder to be a better lacrosse player but has shaped me into the person I am.  As a sophomore I wanted to be team captain - something that was unheard of at my school but I believed that I had a vision for our offense and I was voted by my team as team captain of the offense both in 2023 and 2024.  I try to always remember that each player has a unique set of gifts and talents that add to the team's value.  Everyone on a team is put where the team needs you and so my collegiate goal is to find a team that can use my unique gifts and talents to add to the team's overall value.   

I enjoy when I can talk to the d-poles who are committed to DI, DII, and DIII schools and see how I can work with my team to beat them.  Most underestimate what I can do - but I have made a name for myself as one of the most formidable attacks in DuKane County and received first team All-Conference in 2023.  

I am extremely competitive and enjoy many sports but I love lacrosse and have been playing since fifth grade. Since freshman year I have led my team with the most goals and assists, made my career one hundredth goal in 2023, and hope to continue my success senior year.  In between the high school season, camps, and tournaments I give private lessons and work on my skills with my brother who also is on the varsity team as a freshman.  One of my teammates that I personally coached on stick skills and shots is committed to a D2 university.  For the past three years, I have worked as an assistant coach for the 14 U Yeti lacrosse team.    I am also within walking distance of my high school so I often create workouts for my teammates (midfielders, attacks, defensemen) and I do additional training with them on the weekends.

When I’m not playing or coaching lacrosse I am in the weight room lifting trying to reach my best  PR.  I am VERY competitive and so are my friends so weight lifting is something that I enjoy tremendously .

Additionally, I think it is important to give back to your community so I volunteer my time when I can to make lunches for the homeless people who live in our area.  This past Christmas I bought a variety of gifts for both boys and girls, wrapped, and delivered them to the pediatric cancer unit at the local hospital in my aunt's hometown of Channahon, Illinois.  My family and I consider ourselves to be very fortunate and we try to give back as much as we can.