Junior Conner Kubrak demonstrates what it means to be a true student athlete. Through the last two years Kubrak has contributed to the start of the lacrosse program, being the starting goalie his sophomore and junior year. Along with his lacrosse career, he excels in the classroom, taking multiple AP classes every year and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
What made you join the lacrosse team?
“I joined the lacrosse team because I wanted to do something in the spring last year. I also wanted to use it for football conditioning and I wanted to learn a new sport. I also wanted to make some friends that I would never have talked to.”
What is your favorite part of playing lacrosse?
“My favorite part of playing lacrosse is being able to learn something new about the game every day from my coaches in practice. I have also been able to play a sport with people that I haven’t played other sports with. I was also able to make new friends that I would have never talked to if I didn’t join lacrosse.”
How do you prepare for a lacrosse game?
“I prepare for my games by focusing on the fundamentals of my game in the warmup. Another thing I focus on is my reactive and responsive skills that can help me during the game. I also make sure that me and the defense are on the same page regarding the game plan that we have against the opposition or opposing team.”
What do you do in the offseason to stay in shape for the regular season?
“In the offseason I mainly just try to improve my passing and catching with wall ball or passing around with my teammates. I also watch a lot of college and professional lacrosse because it allows me to see how different athletes higher up in the rankings position themselves or talk to their teammates.”
How can you describe your lacrosse experience these last two years?
“My lacrosse experience has been overall positive. Learning a new sport is very fun and interesting, but we have lost a lot of games over the two years. This year we have a lot of people that have been practicing throughout the summer and our team and a lot faster and stronger. We have won a lot more games this year, so we have improved so much since last year.”
What are your favorite lacrosse moments?
“My favorite moment in my lacrosse experience was getting the first win in our lacrosse program last year against Allen Park. It was nice seeing our work throughout the season pay off against a rival because we both started our lacrosse program the same year. Another moment that is one of my favorites was this year when I got my first career shutout against Bishop Foley. I felt this was a great turning point in my career because it gave me more confidence moving forward.”
What are your strong points of your game?
“I think my strong points of my game are my communication skills with my defense and also my consistency in the net. I always make sure that I know where I want my defense to force the opposition and also I need to know the other team will most likely throw the ball where they are positioned.”
What skills can you improve on in your game?
“I can improve my game IQ by recognizing what the attackers are trying to do. Realizing who is going to cut towards the net and telling my defense that will prevent more scoring opportunities that the other team can have. I can always get better at saves, because there is really no point where you can be perfect at saving the ball.”
How has joining the lacrosse team changed you as a person?
“Joining the lacrosse team has given me a position in which I can lead people, which I think will help me later on in life. I also have an effect on the overall game, which is important in my mindset as a whole. Being a deciding factor in whether our team wins or loses is important to the effort I give in a game.”
Do you plan to play lacrosse after High School?
“I do not plan on playing after High School because of what I want to do in my career, but it is not completely off the table. I want to complete a bachelor of science degree in college and I feel like if I played lacrosse in college it would be too hard to manage my school and sport every single day.”
