Great Oak Lacrosse Dedicates Undefeated Season To Teammate With Leukemia

For the second consecutive year, Great Oak High School’s boys’ junior varsity lacrosse team finished its season undefeated. And they did it for their teammate.

Great Oak sophomore Luis Espino was diagnosed with leukemia before the start of the season. His teammates talked about him before every practice and every game, said sophomore Evan Ognjanac. Ognjanac added the team wore lime green shoelaces in honor of their teammate, and sold the shoelaces to fans to raise $500 for the HEADstrong Foundation, which advocates, fundraises and supports those affected by blood cancers and those working toward eliminating the diseases.

“We all kind of played for Luis,” said Ognjanac, who has been on the team for two years. “He was always in the back of our heads, and we were always thinking about him. I think that actually really pushed us to go undefeated this year.”

The 29-player team finished its season last Tuesday against Chaparral High School. They won 14-1, ending the season 17-0. Last year, the boys’ JV lacrosse team finished its season 16-0.

“They went undefeated last year and I really wasn’t expecting to go undefeated again this year, so it was pretty amazing!” said Head Coach Scott Cunningham, who has coached the team for four years. “They really worked together as a team. I didn’t have anybody trying to be a standout. They worked hard together.”

Cunningham said his players practiced two to three hours on most days throughout the season, which began in February. Although the JV team doesn’t have a post-season, the team will compete against other Southern California teams in the JV Lacrosse Tournament on May 5 at La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad.

It will be the last time the players compete as a team as some of the students will try out for the varsity team in the fall, Cunningham said. Still, they will always be connected by an unforgettable season and their teammate they hope will compete again soon.

“We dedicated this year to him, so I think that’s another reason why they went out and did what they did—for their teammate,” Cunningham said. “Like I told them Tuesday night, hopefully this helps Luis win his fight and he’s back with us next year.”