ELORA – For the first time ever, Canada is the winner of the U20 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship.
Previously, the U.S. had won all nine championships since the event began in 1988 and Canada had placed second the previous six tournaments.
Elora native Chris Rathwell was on the team that broke through.
“It’s surreal, I can’t even put into words like how much it means to make history for my country,” said Rathwell, a Team Canada midfielder.
The field lacrosse tournament was held in Jeju Island, South Korea from Aug. 15 to 24.
Canada won 6-5 in the final, holding off a comeback effort from the U.S.
Rathwell, 20, said Team Canada goalie Grayson Manning, who was named tournament MVP, had one of the best performances he’s ever seen from a field goalie.
In the round robin stage of the tournament, Canada lost 7-6 to the U.S.
Rathwell said the team’s “tight-knit chemistry” helped them bounce back and feel confident going into the final game.
“The nerves didn’t really get the best of us. I think in the last game, we were really calm and collected,” he said.
A pre-tournament team trip to Tokyo for a training camp helped build a lot of chemistry early-on.
“We’re all from different areas of Canada, and we all just kind of found each other really quick,” said Rathwell.
“The coaches said we were one of the tightest groups they’ve ever seen at this level.
“And I think that was the most important part to winning the gold. I think we were able to do it together.”
Rathwell, 20, grew up in Elora playing box lacrosse.
He attends Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, where he plays NCAA Division 1 field lacrosse.
Rathwell is home in Elora for the summer, and played his fourth year in the OJLL (Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League) with Kitchener Waterloo.
He led KW in points last season, with 32 goals and 47 assists in 22 games.
In the future he hopes to play in the National Lacrosse League, saying he plans to stick with the game, keep having fun and make more long-lasting relationships with teammates.
Rathwell said it was an honour to represent Canada.
“I think just coming home and realizing … you’re a world champion and that Canada never did it and that I was a part of the first team is something that can’t really be put into words.”
Chris Rathwell, middle, and teammates Reece Dicicco, left, and Max Frattaroli, right, pose with their gold medals. Photo by Kealan Pilon
