Blake Willard '26 Recruiting Profile

St. James Catholic High School GUELPH, ONMen's Lacrosse

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ClubEvolve Elite Lacrosse

Height5'9"

Weight140lbs

Age17

Primary PositionMidfielder

Secondary PositionAttack

Dominant HandRight

Total Years Playing Experience8

Video

2023 - Fall Highl...

2023 - Summer Hig...

2023 - Spring Hig...

07-03-2023 - Owen...

2021 Highlight Vi...

2022 Spotlight

Personal Statement

Hello, my name is Blake Willard. I've been playing lacrosse since I was six years old, with a focus on Box and Field for the past three years. I am very comfortable playing on concrete surfaces due to playing on box teams in my local center every year. In 2018, I tried out for my first field travel team with Evolve Elite Lacrosse. We travelled to several locations within the US, playing some fantastic lacrosse. During one of our tournaments in Maryland, I had the opportunity to tour Johns Hopkins University, which made me realize my goal to play Lacrosse in the same place that Paul Rabil has played.

Following that tournament, I researched what I needed to do to attend a school like Johns Hopkins University as an international student. I needed to improve my grades, participate in the SATs, look into funding options, and get more exposure. I worked hard and went from being a lower B student to graduating grade 8 with mostly A's. I understand that education comes first as an athlete, but my love for the sport drives me. I have had the pleasure of working with several teams, including The Hill Academy, Edge Lacrosse, Hardcor Lacrosse, United Lacrosse League, Spartan Lacrosse, and Evolve Elite Lacrosse, which has helped me understand the critical things needed to be successful. Although I enjoy having fun, being on the field is what I love, and I want to play at the highest levels possible while having an excellent education and foundation for my future.

Athletics

High School Information

Years w/ Varsity
1 year
Varsity Starter
1 year
2022 Varsity Team
Starter
- Jersey: #12
Team Awards
Regional 2nd Place

Club Information

Seasons of Club Experience
7 seasons
2027 Evolve Elite Lacrosse (AAA)
Playing on the 2027 team with the club since 2019
2026 Bearcats of the Bluegrass (A)
2026 EDGE LACROSSE (AAA)
Playing on the 2025 team since 2021
2025 Whitby Steelhawks (Junior)
2023 Centre Wellington Riverhawks (OLA A)
Playing with the club since 2013
2023 Milton Mavericks (C)
For OMFLL for 1 season
2020 Spartan Lacrosse (A)

Coach References

Club Coach
Kasey Beirnes
Private Coach
Reilly O'Connor
Travel / Club Coach
Leo Stouros
Travel / Club Coach
Tracey Kelusky

Events

Camp/Event
Ontario Lacrosse Provincials
8/06/24 to 8/08/24
The best teams in Ontario come to compete for the Provincial Championships. Think of it as States
Camp/Event
CHICAGO SHOWDOWN 2024
7/20/24 to 7/21/24
We pride ourselves on hosting elite events at elite venues and delivering the total lacrosse experience. Victory Event Series heads to the Midwest and the Windy City to host this hot new tournament in Chicagoland!
Camp/Event
LIBERTY NATIONAL ELITE FALL CLASSIC 2023
11/04/23 to 11/05/23
We pride ourselves on hosting elite events at elite venues and delivering the total lacrosse experience. In 2017, the Victory Event Series partnered with Duke’s Lacrosse Founder Ebe Helm to deliver the Liberty National Elite Classic, a new national elite summer event to the top club teams in the country. Due to the incredible success of the Liberty National summer event, Victory Event Series launched its fall showcase and tournament series in 2019. The weekend proved to be an instant success, as top college programs flocked to the Proving Grounds to watch elite competition all weekend. Liberty National Elite Fall Classic returns in 2023 to provide an elite fall lacrosse experience during the first weekend of the Division I fall recruiting window. Our partnership is the perfect pairing of event experience and club leadership, which makes us poised to deliver the TOP tournament and recruiting experience of the fall. Coupled with the unbelievable location of Maplezone Sports Complex in Aston, PA, this is the can’t miss event of fall 2023!
Camp/Event
The BOO BASH Michigan
10/28/23 to 10/29/23
Camp/Event
Legends Fall Kick off
10/21/23 to 10/22/23
The Legends Fall Kickoff is designed to be a fun filled experience on and off the field in a premier area in the US and will serve as a great way to enhance your players Fall season. Strategic scheduling and partnerships with local Visitors Bureau’s will allow Legends to deliver on a family-focused event in a vacation destination. The Legends Fall Kickoff is an event looking to service local and regional-level teams for boys! Teams have the option to play only one day or BOTH days!
Camp/Event
Laxtoberfest
10/14/23 to 10/15/23
9th Annual Laxtoberfest! Welcome back for the 9th Annual; things keep getting better every year! We sold out in 2019, 2020 and 2021! Showcase your talents at the crossroads of the Midwest. Within a six-hour drive of almost every major Midwest city. Lax USA is bringing you a bigger, more competitive tournament! We are delivering the greatest experience for your lacrosse dollar. Thank you for your continued support as we grow the game in the Midwest and throughout the country.
Camp/Event
NATIONAL 6V6 LACROSSE TOURNAMENT
9/30/23 to 9/30/23
National 6v6 Lacrosse National 6v6 Lacrosse offers fun, fast-paced, skill-based lacrosse action for boys and girls players of all ages. Join us for a well-run and a fun experience.
Camp/Event
OLA U17 'B' - Provincials
8/11/23 to 8/13/23
https://ontariolacrosse.com
Camp/Event
Team Canada Lacrosse development ID camp
7/24/23 to 7/26/23
Lacrosse Canada will host a 3-day development camp in Oshawa, Ont. from July 24-26th, 2023. The event will be run by members of the 2023 Canadian Men’s National Team and 2022 U20 National Team staff (Matt Brown, Denver University, Taylor Wray, St. Joesph’s University, Merrick Thomson, University of Albany, Mark Miyashita Canisius College) and National Team players. Participants will be introduced to National Team coaches, learn individual and team skills and tactics, and participate in elite-level practice and gameplay. At the end of the weekend, an All-Star game will feature the top 40 players in each age group. This unique experience will allow all staff to develop a comprehensive program that will provide athletes with strength and conditioning, speed, skill, strategy, and physical and mental stability in order to develop the holistic athlete. This event will also have top-level NCAA coaches attending for recruiting. This event will be INVITE ONLY for the top 108 players per division across Canada. There will be five games guaranteed, plus a Championship final for the top two teams, followed by an All-Star game. Players will be notified with an official invite after the application process if they are accepted.
Camp/Event
PLC - Pinnacle Lacrosse Championships
7/15/23 to 7/16/23
https://pinnaclelacrossechampionships.com/plc-summer-championships/
Camp/Event
2023 IL Invitational Session Two
7/10/23 to 7/12/23
https://www.insidelacrosse.com/event/recruiting/event/81822
Camp/Event
Naptown Challenge High School Championship
6/26/23 to 6/28/23
A National Invite-Only Tournament Played at eight locations in the Annapolis area. Championships located at USNA Stadium; broadcast live on ESPN3.
Camp/Event
Barry Burman Summer Shootout
6/23/23 to 6/25/23
As per the approved OLA tournament listing, teams with preliminary ratings of A or B are eligible to express interest in participating in the Barry Burman Summer Shootout by emailing the Tournament Director at [email protected] ***Please include 1) Association Name 2) Division 3) OLA Preliminary rating in the email to the Tournament Director. Tournament game schedule will start as early as 9:00am Friday January 23rd with medal games running as late as 4:00pm Sunday, January 25th. Division Number of Teams U9 8 U11 8 U13 8 U15 8 U17 8 Tournament games will be played at the two Orangeville arenas (4 floors), Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre and the Alder Street Arena. We look forward to welcoming lacrosse players, coaches and their families to Orangeville for this tournament.
Camp/Event
Platinum Cup
6/10/23 to 6/11/23
In its 11th year, the Adrln Platinum Cup (APC) is an invitation only event, comprised of the top teams from the country’s most prestigious club lacrosse organizations. This event is known as the top destination for teams and NCAA recruiters alike. The Platinum Cup was created with the sole intention of bringing the top national teams from each level together, for one weekend at a single venue. Teams will compete at the highest level in an intimate and manageable environment for hundreds of college recruiters. This event facilitates for a very deep and diverse lineup of talented players, in a very intense championship style format tournament. The Platinum Cup will attract the best recruiters from NCAA Division I, II & III programs and allows them to see recruits play within the framework of a structured, systematic, team environment
Camp/Event
2023 Laker Classic
5/26/23 to 5/28/23
The Peterborough Minor Lacrosse Association has proudly hosted the Annual Laker Classic Minor Lacrosse tournament for nearly four decades for players from Tyke to Midget age. The Laker Classic is one of Ontario’s longest-running tournaments and has received Historical Status as the province's “Premier early season tournament”. Competing teams battle for their individual division titles, but also each organization battles for "The Classic Cup" which is awarded to the organization with the most combined points over the course of all games in the tournament.https://www.ptbolacrosse.com/2023lakerclassic
Camp/Event
PLC Fall Championships
11/19/22 to 11/20/22
A top tier national event, this is one your team does not want to miss. The Pinnacle Lacrosse Fall Championships will feature teams from across the US and Canada. This event will be a great place for your team to compete with some of top-ranked clubs and gain exposure to a wide array of college recruiters. Held at the expansive and state-of-the-art facilities at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the PLC Fall Championships gets teams out of the cold and into the sun for an exciting, competitive experience! Five guaranteed games and a championship format provide for an action-packed weekend. US Club Lacrosse will be on-site to evaluate both the teams and individual players as well as provide event recaps and contests during your time on the fields.
Camp/Event
Autumn Gold Showcase
11/12/22 to 11/13/22
The Autumn Gold Showcase format will consist of teams competing in 3 showcase games per day. The AGS is a premier recruiting event each Fall. Elite club and high school teams from the US & Canada decend upon the greater Baltimore region excited to compete in front of 100+ college coaches on premiere lacrosse facilities. Each team will receive a recruiting presentation before their first game. The ages of teams competing will range from grad years 2023-2026. Teams will be matched up per grad year for optimal competition. Tournament Locations: Session 2 - November 12th & 13th at Troy Park and Rockburn Regional Park
Camp/Event
Can/Am Invitational
11/06/22 to 11/06/22
The Can-Am Invitational features teams from both the United States and Canada, particularly the lacrosse hotbed of Southern Ontario. The Can-Am Invitational has grown into one of the can't miss recruiting events in the midwest for college coaches. The Invitational is the team event connected to the Can-Am Showcase—the region's top individual showcase. It is held on seven outdoor, and three full-size indoor turfs at the Grand Park Sports Campus. This event is open to any and all teams in the corresponding graduation years. THE CAN-AM INVITATIONAL HOSTED 61 TEAMS IN 2021! Including Alpha • Burning river • Commonwealth Kings • Dominate • Force Lacrosse • Great Lakes • Haymakers • Headlines • Missouri 22 • PLG • Second City • Steelhead • Team ONE • The Lacrosse School • True IL • True IN • True MI • True OH and more!
Camp/Event
2022 University of Michigan PLAY DAY
10/09/22 to 10/09/22
Camp/Event
3Nation Lacrosse Classic
10/02/22 to 10/02/22
With top boys and girls prep talent from the United States, Canada and the Haudenosaune coming together at the Buffalo Bills’ Highmark Stadium, the 3Nation Lacrosse Classic is the preeminent lacrosse event in Western New York. Junior high and high school age teams compete on the Bills’ legendary turf, playing in the same stadium as their NFL heroes.
Camp/Event
Ontario Provincial playoffs
8/05/22 to 8/07/22
The Centre Wellington Riverhawks are currently placed 16th in the province with 46 teams competing for thier grouping titles. The U17 Riverhawks will be looking to with the B pool for Gold.
Camp/Event
2022 X-Treme All Canada Games
7/25/22 to 7/27/22
The 2022 X-Treme All Canada Games are a high calibre lacrosse tournament featuring student athletes from across Canada and the USA. The purpose of this event is to provide student athletes with a competitive, high exposure tournament experience. Traditionally, the event draws over 80 NCAA/CUFLA coaches who attend the event to evaluate and recruit the next up and coming collegiate lacrosse players. The All Canada Lacrosse Games is played on regulation size turf fields and professionally maintained grass fields.
Camp/Event
Lake George National Invitational
7/23/22 to 7/24/22
Camp/Event
Hamilton Bengals Super Series
7/01/22 to 7/03/22
Ontario Box Lacrosse Tournament. Hamilton Lacrosse is very excited to announce the long-awaited return of the Super Series! This year's tournament will include open divisions for Paperweight and Intermediate teams!
Camp/Event
2022 Naptown National Challenge
6/27/22 to 6/29/22
The Naptown National Challenge and Exposure Showcase were founded in 2016 by Hall of Fame Coach Dave Cottle and Matt Hogan of HoganLax. The tournament brings elite, nationally recognized, club teams from across the country to Annapolis, Maryland to compete in a three-day event comprised of two tournament days at several field locations in the Annapolis area, culminated with a championship event at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Championship games for all four high school divisions are televised on ESPN3
Camp/Event
Niagara Thunderhawks Lacrosse Tournament
5/27/22 to 5/29/22
Ontario Box Lacrosse Tournament
Camp/Event
The March Invitational
3/12/22 to 3/13/22
Camp/Event
2022 Club Lacrosse National Tournament
12/31/21 to 1/02/22
This event features team in the TOP 100 as ranked officially by USCLUBLAX HERE. USCLUBLAX, the nation's leading club lacrosse media outlet for rankings and social content, will be powering this tournament. They will handle all social media before, during and post event! The USCLUBLAX Top 100 Rankings features the most talented teams in North America who will battle it out in the FIRST OFFICIAL ELITE TOURNAMENT of the 2022 Club Lacrosse Season. Results will count toward the first 2022 USCLUBLAX Official Rankings at the highest registered level. Only teams who appear in the current US CLUB LACROSSE rankings will be invited to participate, but the event will still be open to all 2028-2029 teams. USCLUBLAX will start 2028 rankings in January 2022 as well. So, if you want your 2023-2028 club team to be considered for the 2022 USCLUBLAX rankings you need to get to the CLUB LACROSSE NATIONALS!
Camp/Event
The North America Lacrosse Fall Invitational
11/14/21 to 11/14/21
North American Lacrosse is a premier club tournament provider offering two elite level events per year. Our summer and fall high school tournaments provide an unmatched level of competition and college recruiting exposure for all attending club teams. Our youth tournaments enable the highest level club organizations to compete in a first class environment.
Camp/Event
Fall Lax Showdown
11/13/21 to 11/13/21
This event is only for the double-AA teams. There will only take 16 teams per division. There will be over 100 college coaches expected to attend this event. Ranging from D1, D2, and D3 level coaching staff
Camp/Event
Top Prospects Invitational
9/25/21 to 9/26/21
We identify the Top 40 in each age group and run them through a combine of drills and skills, speed and strength testing to establish baseline results so they can see where they stack up against their peers. We also pit the Top 40 in 3 games against each other, all filmed and all coached by NCAA players/coaches. Throw this together with some great swag and gear partners and you’ve got a great weekend of lacrosse. Our first field event was a huge success. 40+ men and women have since committed to NCAA schools.
Camp/Event
Hill Academy High Performance Positional Camps
8/17/21 to 8/19/21
This High-Performance Positional Camp is designed for intermediate and advanced skill players 2009 and older who want the opportunity to learn what it takes to be successful at the next level. Join Hill Coaches Graeme Hossack, Clarke Petterson, Brodie Merrill, Jeff Henrick & Brett Dobson for clinics thoughtfully designed for Goalies, Offensive and Defensive players. Athletes will be taken through position-specific skill, speed and agility work, film sessions and individual breakdowns and small area games and scrimmages. They will get to learn and hear from current and former collegiate and professional coaches and players. The goal of this camp is to provide an opportunity for athletes to fine-tune their technical skills and compete against some of the best players in their age group.
Camp/Event
The Showcase
8/06/21 to 8/08/21
The event has broken players up by age group and experience for teams. Blake will be on Team 4 they will have 3 field games and 2 Box games that will with recorded.
Camp/Event
All Canada Lacrosse Games
7/26/21 to 7/28/21
Played on 07/08 - TEAM ONTARIO WEST. The team record was 3-2-1, Sored 2 Goals, Assisted 6

Training

The Hill Lacrosse
2 years
Working over Covid through a number of in-person and online classes with The Hill https://www.thehillacademy.com/lacrosse
Spartan Lacrosse Academy
3 years
Three years of Private sessions, Camps, and Clinics
Lift Fitness and Performance
1 year
Athletes are assessed and receive strength, power, speed, agility and conditioning training appropriate to their level and ability using our youth performance training program. Programming builds base movement skills and gradually adds load and difficulty in athlete-centric activities. Training progresses year-round and modifications are made in-season to balance training load. Progress is tracked electronically so athletes can watch their development. Learn to lift for life. Most young athletes will not play their sport past college, but exercise should be for life. Training with LIFT will give your athlete the skills and abilities to train anywhere at any time safely and effectively for life.
Lift Fitness and Performance
2 years
Athletes are assessed and receive strength, power, speed, agility, and conditioning training appropriate to their level and ability using our youth performance training program. Programming builds base movement skills and gradually adds load and difficulty to athlete-centric activities. Training progresses year-round, and modifications are made in-season to balance the training load. Progress is tracked electronically so athletes can watch their development. https://liftfitnessguelph.com/