2007 has produced another first for the Upper Arlington Mens Lacrosse program. The Bears will send two of their graduated seniors, Scott Lathrop and Max Schmidt, to the prestigious Under-19 U.S. Team tryouts July 12-15th in Baltimore.

Lathrop and Schmidt are among 120 players who will compete for a spot on the U.S. team that will participate in the 2008 International Lacrosse Federation U-19 World Championship from July 3-12, 2008, in British Columbia, Canada.

The 120 players, representing 22 states, were selected from a pool of 235 players that were nominated by area chairmen of the US Lacrosse Men's Division Coaches Council High School Committee and collegiate coaches.

he tryouts will be held at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. A roster of 23 players will be selected.

"The chance to get on the world team only comes along every four years," said Schmidt. "This is a great honor just to tryout, to know you're among the top 120 players in the nation." The 6-foot-3, 217-pound defenseman was named Player of the Year by the Ohio High School Lacrosse Association and will play for Maryland next season.

"These are the best of the best and it's exciting to see how I match up with some of these guys because I will be playing against most of them in college," added Schmidt. "This will be a real jump in competition."

The All-American Golden Bear has already had a busy summer, participating in the Under Armor All-American game June 16th at Loyola College which featured the top 40 high school players in the country and was televised nationally by ESPNU.

Lathrop has been a productive midfielder for three seasons at UA and was chosen All-American, All-Midwest and All-State after scoring 32 goals as a senior and finishing with 41 points.

"This is really going to be fun to play where everyone is just great," said Lathrop. "This camp will be like jumping right into college lacrosse." Lathrop has signed with Ohio State. The Buckeyes are one of several schools with multiple signees who will be attending the tryout.

Ted Wolford coached both players at UA. "This is a great opportunity to represent the United States. The competition is very, very strong," said Wolford. "This will really prepare both of them for what comes next.
This is a great stepping stone. I'm very happy for these guys and wish them well. It's a matter of hang loose and do the best you can."

The U.S. has never lost a game in ILF U-19 world championship competition, capturing championships in 1988 (Adelaide, Australia), 1992 Long Island, N.Y.), 1996 (Tokyo, Japan), 1999 (Adelaide, Australia) and 2003 (Towson, Md.).

Serving as the head coach for the 2008 U.S. U-19 team is Chuck Apel of Bridgewater-Raritan (N.J.) High School. His assistants are Tim Flynn (Mountain Lakes NJ), Kevin Giblin (Georgetown Prep DC) and John Nostrant (Haverford School PA). Tom Flatley of Floral Park, N.Y., is the team's general manager.