Jesse King photo credit to Calgary Roughnecks

By Cheryl Brown

Claremont Senior Secondary’s Lacrosse Academy is notorious for sending players to the United States on Field Lacrosse Scholarships. The program is run by Claremont’s Athletic Director and former Victoria Shamrock Darren Reisig and Chris McKay, who also wore the Shamrock Jersey. They both have many other lacrosse accolades to their names which is just one of the reasons the program is not only successful but well respected by NCAA coaches.

Many players have gone on to play for Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) teams and the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Jesse and Marshall King and Casey Jackson are Claremont grads who are household names in both the WLA and the NLL right now.

There are many Claremont grads playing in American Schools right now and we will profile a player each week and give weekly results on performances while away at school. Many of these players will be home in May to play for British Columbia Junior Lacrosse League (BCJLL) and Western Lacrosse Association Teams (WLA).

Claremont Lacrosse Academy Alumni Caleb Kueber is a Junior at Mercyhurst University in Erie Pennsylvania. Growing up he played both hockey and box lacrosse but in grade nine he enrolled in Claremont Senior Secondary’s Lacrosse Academy. Caleb changed his hockey focus to both field and box lacrosse and excelled as a two-time Team B.C. Box Lacrosse player, and a much-valued player for the Intermediate A Shamrocks and currently the Junior A Shamrocks box lacrosse teams.

Caleb Kueber,photo credit Mercyhurst University
Caleb Kueber,photo credit Mercyhurst University & Patti Looney

When asked how his four years in the Claremont program were, his highlight at Mercyhurst and what advice he would give to a player wanting to play in the NCAA he said “My four years under the program at Claremont really taught me the game of field lacrosse, always playing hockey during the winter I never really had the chance to play field lacrosse so going to Claremont and being able to understand the game and learn each day really pushed me to excel my game and grow my knowledge for field. Both Chris and Zig (Coach Reisig) played a huge role in where I am today pushing me to be my best and really allowing me to play my style of lacrosse. They also allowed me to be creative with things like creating videos. The preparation for college is perfect especially from Chris and Zig because they push you and hold you to high standards just like at university”.

“The highlight of playing lacrosse at Mercyhurst is mainly being a part of a team and such a great group of guys. Being able to travel across the country is pretty cool and both see and play against your friends makes it even better”.

“The advice I would give to anyone looking to play college lacrosse is not to be afraid to try it and get your feet wet. Myself personally I wasn’t fully set on playing in the NCAA until I got

down here to Pennsylvania and started practicing and playing games. It is a culture and once you buy in your time really starts to fly by its such and enjoyable experience”.

Claremont update March 5 2020

I reached out to Mercyhurst’s Head Coach Christopher Ryan and asked him what impact Caleb has had on the team since joining Mercyhurst and he said “Caleb’s impact on the Mercyhurst lacrosse program has been immediate and is still developing. He did not play much as a freshman but continued to play hard on the field, in the classroom and in the weight room. Last season was a coming out season for Caleb. He developed a great relationship with his other attackmen Ben Smith- Wilcox and fellow Canadian Devin Pipher (Whitby, ONT). The 2019 season ended with Caleb scoring 49 goals and establishing himself as a young leader on the team. This year he off to a blazing start leading the team with 19 points in the first 4 games. He had a great summer going to the Minto Cup finals with Victoria and playing on Team England in the World Championships. I think he developed a great amount of confidence with those two experiences and it has carried over to the Mercyhurst season”.

Caleb wears a couple different hats so to speak with the team. On the field he is playing a high level and leading the team in points. Last weekend, he led the Lakers on a fourth quarter rally to defeat the nationally ranked University of Indianapolis including the winner with 13 seconds left. It says a lot that we had the ball in his stick with the game on the line. Off the field, Caleb

has grown into a quiet yet effective leader. He is not a rah -rah guy in the locker room but he is mature and a “team first” guy and that goes a long way with his teammates. It has been great to watch him grow as a leader”.

 

You can find Caleb’s video’s on You Tube – Caleb Kueber

Instagram @calebkueber @calebkueberprints @calebkdisposable

Twitter @calebkueber

Website: www.claremontlacrosse.com

Instagram: @claremontlacrossevictoria @claremontlacrossealumni

Facebook: Claremont Lacrosse Academy/Victoria, B.C.

Contact Athletic Director Darren Reisig: [email protected]

Mercyhurst Lacrosse: hurstathletics.com  Twitter: @hurstlaxtrain Instagram: @hurstlaxtrain