Davis Searle, Sam Smith, Rome Swanwick named 2024 boys lacrosse Players of the Year – Deseret News

Regardless of where their team finished to end the season, each of these three players possess the skills, qualities and attributes that will help them stand out among the best. Although they couldn’t all call themselves champions last year, they helped their respective teams deep into the play-offs.

Here’s a look at the 2024 Deseret News boys lacrosse players of the year.

6A Player of the Year

Davis Searle, Fremont, Offense, Sr.

Fremont forward Davis Searle dominated 6A with 69 goals to go with 57 assists for a total of 126 points for the season. Additionally, Searle was constantly called upon defensively, causing 26 turnovers and grabbing 42 ground balls.

Fremont head coach Brad Searle believes Davis possesses a lacrosse IQ that is off the charts, with Davis always looking to improve his team in any way he can.

“Davis has been captain of our program for three years. His lacrosse IQ is off the charts, and it shows with 477 career points. The good thing is that he’s about 50/50 on goals and assists for his career. Davis had 69 goals and 57 assists this year, for a total of 126 points. Davis always dodges with his head up, looking for the one,” said coach Searle.

Davis helped his team make a deep postseason run and proved himself to be the leader Fremont needed, setting a strong example for the younger kids on the team.

“He is fast, alert and reliable. He started every game but one in his four-year career. He was a great mentor to our new kids this year, taking them along and showing and teaching them during training. Searle added.

5A Player of the Year

Sam Smith, Olympus, LSM, Sr.

Olympus’ Sam Smith helped lead one of the best defenses in 5A. With 62 turnovers caused and an astounding 116 ground balls, Smith was a threat to opposing offenses.

Olympus head coach Nick Merrell believes Sam Smith was a big reason why his team reached the semifinals of the 5A tournament before ultimately falling short, losing by the narrowest of margins to Park City and watching the season fall short.

“Sam Smith is a man who can really do anything. At LSM, he was a major reason why our team outrebounded our opponents to 44% this season and helped lead a defense that gave up just 4.7 points per game against the state’s top competition,” Merrell said.

Smith did it all for Olympus and also picked up seven goals and six assists last season.

“Smitty could get away with high-traffic ground balls and would also create a lot of transition looks for us, racking up seven goals and six assists himself this season. He was a team captain for two years and a starter for four years, and what he has done for our program is nothing short of remarkable!”

4A Player of the Year

Rome Swanwick, Judge Memorial, attack, so.

Right Memorial forward Rome Swanwick had a season to remember in 4A. With twenty games played, Swanwick produced plenty of spark and fireworks offensively, with 75 goals and 15 assists, giving themselves 90 points for the season.

“Rome has been a starting forward since the day he stepped onto the Judge campus. In just 36 career games, he scored 135 goals and 33 assists for 168 points. Rome never lets up and has a knack for picking up hard ground balls even though he is usually the smallest player on that side of the field,” said Judge Memorial head coach Jeff Brzoska.

Swanick filled the stat sheet in the 4A championship game against Sky View with 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 ground balls and 1 caused turnover.

“Rome’s lacrosse IQ is on another level and he is always the last one off the field, most nights having to beg him to leave so I can turn off the lights. Rome not only excels on the lacrosse field, but he also dominates Judge’s classrooms with a 3.95 GPA. The growth he has shown from the beginning of his freshman year to the end of his sophomore season has been incredible, not only on the field or in the classroom, but also as a pleasant surprise in the locker room.”