Each year the Ponte Vedra High lacrosse programs hold a signing ceremony on the night of signing day and this year they had five students sign athletic scholarships, three boys and two girls during the early signing day period on Nov. 8.
Those from the boys program included Jack Pelot (University of Pennsylvania,) Tanner Parlette (Stoney Brook University) and Egan Funke (Oberlin College), while the girls program was represented by Lily Mosser (University of South Florida) and Lily Toole (Anderson University).
The signing ceremony was held at Mr. Chubby’s Wings in Ponte Vedra Beach, as family members and teammates flooded a corner of the restaurant to watch their friends and loved ones make their college intentions official.
For some, such as Funke, the road has been filled with adversity along the way, as he battled through injuries during his high school career but never lost sight of his dream of playing college lacrosse.
“I’ve always had the aspirations to play in college ever since I was a young kid, because my dad played in college and my brothers have always been on the lacrosse route to playing in college, so I was kind of born into it, but definitely not forced at all,” Funke said. “I love lacrosse and it’s been my go-to sport for some time now.”
He credited head coach Chris Polanski for helping keep him focused on what was at stake even when things were in flux as he recovered from getting injured in the middle of the recruiting cycle.
“I’ve had coach Po as a coach since I was barely able to stand up and he’s been the most helpful, because you’re able to talk to him about more than just lacrosse,” Funke said. “I was really uncertain about where I was going to end up, but he helped me level my head and realize that I could bounce back.”
Mosser is preparing to walk into a unique situation at the college level, as she will be a member of the inaugural season for the South Florida girls lacrosse program next year.
However, it is a challenge she is excited about to be on the ground floor and helping a program get its start.
“That’s one of the main reasons why I signed there, because I knew I wanted to be a part of something really special,” Mosser said. “I want to be a part of building that legacy.”
Each player has been playing lacrosse for a while now and had an idea that this day would be coming, but now that the day had finally arrived, it was a little surreal for each of them.
Pelot plays goalie, which is a position he has called his own for years now and he will continue to be tasked with protecting the net at the college level.
“I remember about eight or nine years ago when the coach said come out if you want to play goalie, so I gave it a shot,” Pelot said. “I made the first save and I knew it was the spot for me. I honestly believe that it is 60% mental, and the name of the game is keeping that steady mindset.”
Parlette has given playing in college a lot of thought since he first verbally committed to Stoney Brook, and he is ready for what awaits.
“I know it’s a big change for sure and everyone is going to be bigger, faster and stronger, so I just have to keep training and get ready for a year from now when it’s my turn to go against those big boys.”
