Lakeshore Lacrosse Players Earn Conference, State Honors

After four years with the Lakeshore Ripsharks lacrosse team, Anders Bjella and Andrew Reidy have ended their season with two of the biggest honors a high school player can receive.  

The two Whitefish Bay High School students have both been named to First Team All Conference and First Team All State teams. This is the first time two players from Lakeshore have been chosen by coaches from the conference and the state.

Bjella and Reidy have tried many sports together in their years of friendship: football, speed skating and soccer, to name a few. It wasn't until Reidy's cousin who lives in Highland Park, IL turned him on to lacrosse that they found their niche.

"It just got under my skin," Bjella said. "As I improved, I just couldn't get enough of it."

After four years in the unique sport of lacrosse, Reidy said he hopes the sport will continue to grow in the North Shore.

"I just thought the sport was so unique, and I like to do things out of the norm, so it was a perfect fit for me" Reidy said. "I hope all of the success Anders and I have had with Lakeshore and in tournaments will continue to pave the way for lacrosse in the North Shore."

Bjella was nominated as the #1 midfielder by college coaches in attendance at .

"His leadership on and off the field is contagious and that it was what you want from a true leader. He is an excellent student and carries a 3.8 GPA," Lakeshore coach Tom Gough said. "His hard work and dedication to the game of lacrosse over the past 4 years has made Anders the most dominant midfield players in the state of Wisconsin."

Reidy was nominated #4 defensemen by college coaches in attendance at .

"Andrew’s leadership on the team will be missed." Lakeshore coach Tom Gough said. "He is an emotional leader, player and person who always rose to the occasion when the team needed him."

Bjella and Reidy both said they've practiced together and pushed each other for the past four years and worked hard with a great coaching staff.

"Its going to be interesting playing without each other, but we will be comparing notes." Reidy said. 

Reidy will be attending West Virginia University, and Bjella will be taking his game to Canada at Mc Gill University in Montreal.