Waves LAX summer travel teams are off and running

Coming off of their first playoff bid in history, the Riverhead Blue Waves boys lacrosse team unveiled its new look this summer, players and jerseys alike.

The graduation of key impact players — Ryan Bitzer, Paul Harron, Keith Jefferson and Alex Panagakos — has created a major hole in the starting lineup, allowing the up-and-coming players a chance to prove their worth for the upcoming season. 

Because of a recent sponsorship, players now have an opportunity to impress varsity boys lacrosse head coach Vic Guadagnino all year long. The team will stay together in the offseason to play in up-scale, highly competitive tournaments where collegiate coaches like to loom.

The opportunity arose two years ago when a Riverhead parent, Andrew Fitzpatrick, approached Guadagnino with an idea.

“He wanted to start some summer travel teams in Riverhead,” Guadagnino said.

Big time Long Island lacrosse programs such as Ward Melville, West Islip and Smithown have stayed consistent throughout the years because they have stayed together.  They play in offseason tournaments, creating the all-important cohesiveness before the season actually starts. The tournaments cost a lot of money, however, and not every family in Riverhead can afford to pay for their son’s summer travel team.

“He wanted to get Riverhead kids the same opportunity,” said Guadagnino.  “He said he could round up some of his gasoline contacts to sponsor us.”

Fitzpatrick has worked with gas companies for more than 20 years, and with his help, three gas companies now sponsor three different Riverhead offseason travel teams: varsity LAX by 76 Gas, middle school LAX by Valero gas, and 6th-grade LAX by Bolla Market. 

“So now the Riverhead parents pay much less as a result of these sponsorships,” Guadagnino said.  “And it doesn’t just cover the tournaments, we have ’76’ helmets, ’76’ gloves, uniforms and travel bags, all of which they keep.”

This summer the team posted a 10-5-1 record in 4 tournaments playing at Stony Brook, Syracuse, and Hofstra University as well as the Warrior Summer Sizzle tournament in Baltimore.

“For the older guys, we’re running them out for a recruiting process,” Guadagnino said.  “The biggest season for recruiting other than the school season is the summer.”

That’s how Bitzer received a scholarship from Stony Brook University last year, by playing in a ’76’ travel tournament.

“Most players are initially seen during the summer tournaments, then monitored during the regular season,” Guadagnino said. 

And for the younger guys, Guadagnino said, the summer is about getting acclimated into the varsity system while being able to grow mentally and physically.

One young guy in particular is garnering more attention by the day, and it has got Guadagnino calling himself his personal secretary.

Rising sophomore, Blake Carrara, is being looked at by all the top programs including Maryland, Loyola, and Virginia.

“Blake’s a blue chip recruit,” Guadagnino said.  “You don’t get many of those in your lifetime as a coach.  I’ve only coached two others.”

“Maryland has already called 8 times for Blake since the start of the summer.”

The Blue Waves will play a few more tournaments in the fall before really picking it up again in the winter time.  

Guadagnino also announced that he has hired a new coach to shore up the defense. Chris Nentwich, of Aquebogue, previously coached at Rocky Point High School where he is also a teacher. He was a collegiate all-american at the University of Massachusetts.

Photos courtesy of Michelle O’Kula
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