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One of the top eight lacrosse goalies among this year’s high school Seniors, lives in Harford County. Brandon MacKnew, the senior goalie on Bel Air High School’s 2007 lacrosse team, has earned a spot on the US National Lacrosse Team. “I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for Ephraim’s program, I wouldn’t have made it as far as I did.”

Brandon has loved lacrosse since he started playing it ten years ago. “At the first practice, the coach asked who wanted to be a goalie. We all raised our hands. We all got a turn, and he took shots on us. He asked us again who wanted to be a goalie. Me and one other kid raised our hands. I’ve been a goalie ever since,” he says. He played rec lacrosse through his last year of middle school.

Bel Air High School’s varsity goalie graduated just before Brandon began his freshman year. “I was told to work really hard in my 8th grade year, and I’d have a chance at varsity,” says Brandon. “Mr. Kelly, one of the high school coaches, told me about Athelites. I wanted the extra edge to make varsity, so I attended a demonstration. Because Ephraim was well prepared and I could tell he was dedicated to making people better athletes, I joined his program.”

In the last five years, Athelites’ training has enabled Brandon to improve his conditioning, speed, and agility. “I don’t have the body type that makes people think I’d be a good goalie. I wasn’t quite as quick or as explosive as some people are, but Athelites has helped me improve my explosiveness out of my stance.” He adds, “Not only did they teach and reinforce the basics of lacrosse, but they taught me certain skills that would help me excel, such as position techniques, mental focus, and defensive footwork.”

Brandon’s dad, Dave MacKnew, explains, “Athelites helps kids realize that to get to the next level, this is what it’s going to take, and the work is never ending. You can see that with all the kids that go through this program. On the first day of tryout’s they’re so far ahead of everyone else, even kids in other programs. They’re like, ‘Wow, this is cool!’”

In addition to earning a spot on the US National team, Brandon received a scholarship to play lacrosse at Queens University in North Carolina. “I’m pretty pumped to get down there,” he says.

Between the scholarship and the national lacrosse team, Brandon’s parents are extremely proud. “I wish I could put into words how proud I am of him,” says his dad. “He’s done it all on his own. He put in the dedication, and you couldn’t be prouder of a boy. It’s a real honor for him.”

The work was hard, but Brandon says it was worth it, “Ask anyone who’s done Athelites, and they’ll tell you it’s worth the dedication, work, and drive to the facility. There’s nothing more satisfying than when the coach is smiling because he didn’t expect you to be as fast as you are.”

Written By Terri Pilcher

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