Lakeshore Lacrosse's Anders Bjella Named All-American

Anders Bjella was named All-American by the US Lacrosse / Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation on Friday.  

Bjella, who recently graduated from Whitefish Bay High School, was a captain for the Lakeshore Lacrosse Club team that is comprised of players from Shorewood, Nicollet, Homestead, Port Washington, Cedarburg, Grafton and Whitefish Bay high schools.  

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Connor Moran (Kettle Moraine), Tyler Hetrick (Sun Prairie), Matt McMahon (Green Bay Southwest) and Jack Fitzgibbons (Marquette) were also selected. Jon Miller (Arrowhead) and Billy McDonald (Marquette) received Academic All-American honors. University School standout Kelly Brethauer received Girls All American Honorable Mention recognition.

Bjella will play lacrosse for the McGill Redmen in Montreal next year.  

McGill head coach Tim Murdoch said, "We have high hopes (for Anders) at McGill. He'll be joining Alex Rohrbach, an All American from New Jersey who led the team in scoring and was named Rookie of the Year in Canada last year."  

Anders was accepted into the Desautels business school and plans to study international business.  

"Balancing schoolwork and sports will be a challenge, but I'm ready for it," said Bjella. "I'm excited about playing lacrosse in college. They play box lacrosse in Canada, too, so I hope to play both seasons."  

Box lacrosse is the indoor version of the game, played on a field the size of a hockey rink with hockey style goals.  

Bjella, who missed the last three games of the regular season due to a broken collarbone, was surprised and honored by being chosen for this recognition by the WLF.  

"Becoming an All-American was a goal I had set after last season. Playing with True Michigan last summer and winning the NSCLA championship gave me a lot more confidence helped me develop as a player," he said. "I was fortunate to be able to practice against one of the best defensemen in the state, Andrew Reidy, who happens to be one of my best friends. After the injury, I didn't think there was much chance of making All American, but was fortunate to have a strong season until that point.”

Bjella will play in the 2012 Champion All-American Showcase at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida in July. The Championship Game and event highlights will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU and ESPN3. 

“I’m eager to compete against other top players and show the U.S. that we play competitive lacrosse in Wisconsin,” said Anders.