There haven’t been too many bright spots for the men’s lacrosse team this season, but one player has done his very best to hold down the team from within the posts. That player is senior goalie Brian Whittenton, in only his second year playing lacrosse he has continued to make huge improvements as the backbone of the defense. He came into this season with only five career starts under his belt after he earned the starting job late last season. Since earning that starting job, he has never looked back.
With a rocky start to the season, the Warriors sit at a record of 6-8 with hopes of securing a playoff spot next week. Over the last two games the team has dominated with lots of help from Whittenton who has only allowed ten goals during those two wins. With this being Whittenton’s senior year, he is really leaving everything on the line to lead his team on a playoff push. With a win against either Midtown or North Cobb, Whittenton will accomplish his lingering goal of reaching the playoffs and set them up for a chance to win a playoff game for the first time in over four seasons. “Reaching the playoffs and winning a game would mean everything to me and this team,” he said. “I need to play to the best of my abilities if I want to help my guys out.”
The lacrosse journey for Whittenton has been quite extraordinary, he hadn’t even picked up a stick until his junior year when one of his buddies convinced him to try it out. Soon after learning the basics, he decided to take a shot at playing goalie, by far the hardest position on the field. After a few practices he fell in love with the position and was highly praised by his coaches who saw loads of potential in the first timer.
Ever since Whittenton picked up that stick he has continued to get better and better each time he steps foot in between that metal frame. His save percentage has gone up by a whopping 8% since his first five starts last season. Being as dominant and learning the position as quickly as Whittenton did is so impressive, but to him it felt like second nature. “Stepping out there for the first time just felt so calming,” he said. “I was never afraid and put my head down to become the best I could be.”
From a late start to a leading presence, Whittenton turned his limited experience into a lasting impact. As the playoffs approach, he stands not just as the last line of defense, but as the heart of a team still chasing its breakthrough playoff win.
