Many people here play school sports. Other than playing in almost freezing temperatures or in the scolding heat, most athletes prefer to play for their club teams, most love honing their skills and becoming the best player they can be.

Junior Landon Schlagel is an absolute unit at lacrosse and decided to take his talents to a club team called True Lacrosse. His favorite thing about playing club is the environment and the people he meets.

“You’ve never met a bunch of these kids and you just get thrown on a team and have to figure it out,” said Schlagel, “The kids are also a lot better.”

Although Schlagel took a mean swipe at his own team, he has contributed a lot of points this year for the varsity lacrosse team. He believes one of the reasons he has gotten to be this good is due to his time at club.

“ I wanted to get more experience and play more, so I found a club team and tried out for it,” he said.

Junior Will Parisi is also a dawg on the lacrosse team, but is probably even more of one on the soccer team. Parisi had a bit of a different way of joining his club team who recently won the regional championship.

“Steel City FC, I got started there when a coach said I should join in 2015,” said Parisi

This has helped Parisi become a team captain of the school soccer team as only a junior. Although he is a team captain, his club team always comes first when it comes to their travel schedule.

“We travel almost every weekend for my team and it can vary from Pennsylvania to Michigan,” he said

To play club sports and to do it at this level you need a lot of motivation and toughness to compete and be the best, sophomore Cross Swaney agrees saying, “It has built discipline and physical and mental strength.”

Swaney just completed his 6th year of hockey and was one of the 4 sophomores that played Varsity this year. He also plays hockey for the Pittsburgh Yetis, and is a key contributor to the team. On both of these teams he also plays with other sophomore Brady Linamen, who Swaney credits to making him a better player.

“Brady was a skilled teammate who advanced my play and was a good friend,” said Swaney.”

Linamen also believes that Swaney has helped him become the player who he is today and also has made him a better person in general.

“Cross has also elevated my play and makes me a better player and teammate,” said Linamen. “He also helps lift me when I am down.”

Between all of the athletes at Knoch that play club sports for different teams, they greatly help build and instill the determination to win and the culture in all of Knoch’s sports. They are great for all other athletes who are just starting or have little experience and help guide them to fulfill their potential.

“I love being able to help new players so I can share my knowledge of the game and help them improve.” said Schlagel.