Simon says lacrosse is his passion

REARDAN – Eighth grader Simon Sobotta is a boy with many talents. He is an outstanding student and an accomplished artist and craftsman. Besides running cross country and playing basketball at Reardan Middle School, Sobotta has thrown himself into a sport that is little known in this part of the country and one that many people have never seen. Lacrosse is his passion, and he is developing into one of the area's outstanding players. He is also a pioneer, as he is Lincoln County's only competitive lacrosse player.

When Sobotta was in second grade and living in Pasco, Washington, his parents Eric and Jenny signed him up to play in a youth lacrosse league.

It was love at first sight.

It differed from any game he had seen. The kids carried long sticks with a woven pocket on the shafts' head, which they used to carry, pass, catch and shoot a rubber ball into their opponent's goal. Sobotta described it as a cross between hockey, basketball and soccer.

"It is the fastest game on two feet," Sobotta said. "It's unlikely you'll get seriously hurt but you will get little bruises everywhere on your body."

Lacrosse is the oldest organized sport in North America, originating with indigenous people as far back as the 12th century. However, many consider it a sport played only by the elite and played primarily on the east coast.

"I was fascinated by the sport's origins," Sobotta said. "If it was just a sport played by the east coast elites, I'd say, 'why bother doing it?', but it isn't, its history with native Americans gives the game more purpose."

Sobotta, who crafts wood cutting boards in his spare time, has blended his creativity and his woodworking skills with his love for lacrosse.

"My parents bought me the lacrosse sticks I use in games," Sobotta said, "but I've also made my own out of cherry wood and maple and have strung the leather pockets on its head, just like the Indians did. They made all of their equipment and respected the materials that they used."

Sobotta plays for Lilac City in the Spokane Youth Lacrosse League. He is bigger than most of the boys on his team, and some describe him as a "gentle giant" because of his size and his quiet manner. That doesn't mean Sobotta is a pushover, however. In July, he took part in the Western Shootout tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and his team selected him as its best defensive player. Last year he was named the Most Valuable Player at a tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.

"Simon is physical and has great stick skills," Lilac City Coach Derek Schutz said. "He has a calming presence on the field which makes everyone on the team better."

Schutz praised Sobotta's quiet leadership.

"A lot of players look up to Simon. His example to his teammates makes my job so much easier," he said.

Rather than showing a lot of emotion when he plays, Sobotta takes a cerebral approach.

"I am curious and want to really understand the game. To be a good player you must be alert and aware of what's happening around you. It takes a lot of focus. I like the challenge of figuring out why something isn't working in a game, and then trying to fix it."

One day, Sobotta would like to play lacrosse at a Division 1 school. With his work ethic and the support of his family, he is on the right track.

Sobotta lifts weight every morning before school and runs on the cross-country team.

"It helps my conditioning and stamina," he said.

On Oct. 18, he competed in the school's final cross country meet of the season, placing 6th out of 67 boys.

"Every day I practice shooting lacrosse balls into the goal in my backyard," Sobotta said. His parents, along with older brother Maveric and younger sister Journie, have all taken turns defending the goal, helping Sobotta hone his skills.

Sobotta is eyeing a career in architecture or urban design when he finishes college. He also thinks he'd like to coach lacrosse.

"I tend to see the positive in others and I like to encourage," Sobotta said. "Lacrosse is a sport anyone can play, and I think I'd like to teach it to others."

Sobotta acknowledged it wasn't easy learning to play lacrosse, paint with watercolors or craft items from wood, but that he was glad that he did not shirk away from those challenges.

"It is difficult doing things out of your comfort zone, but the personal growth and daily improvement is worth it."

He wants to see lacrosse grow in popularity so that other kids will reap the same benefits he has experienced.

He offered advice to those who have never played the game.

"It won't hurt you to try it, if you do, you will start to like it. That's what happened to me."