The Hart School District is proud to announce the addition of lacrosse as a high school sport at Hart High School making Hart the third school to adopt this sport in the Hart School District. West Ranch High School instituted lacrosse as a financially self-sustaining interscholastic sport for the 2012 – 2013 school year and Valencia High School added lacrosse this past season.

Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports across the United States and in Southern California with more high schools offering lacrosse as another spring team sport option for students.

“I am very excited about this additional opportunity for students to get connected to Hart High School through lacrosse,” Hart principal, Collyn Nielsen, said. “I am looking forward to an outstanding inaugural season!”

Strong interest is expected and plans are in place to field a junior varsity and varsity squad this year, with hopes to continue expansion. A girls’ team is not currently planned, however, girls are eligible to try-out and play on the teams. Tryouts are planned for late October and early November.

“Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and we are proud to be able to call it an official California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) high school sport and to be amongst the long tradition of excellence in sports at Hart High School,” Hart lacrosse booster club president, Steve Mehta, said. 

The team has previously been a club at Hart High School for four prior seasons and has consistently ranked at the top in southern California’s club game circuit, according to supporters. Hart lacrosse enthusiasts have credited Steve Tyson for invaluable assistance and expertise in creating recreational and club leagues for many years in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The sport of youth and club lacrosse has roots extending nearly a decade in Santa Clarita with now more than 300 participants. “All high schools in the Hart District are eligible to offer a lacrosse program in the future assuming that our new sport and self-funded guidelines are met,” Greg Lee, director of human resources and equity services, said. “We anticipate having a lacrosse Foothill League in the coming years as more high schools choose to add this sport.”

For more information on Hart High School lacrosse, please contact: John Turner, Hart High School assistant principal and athletic administrator, at jturner@hartdistrict.org or 661.259.7575.