(January 24, 2015) – Woodgrove High School sophomore Grant Ammann has made an early verbal commitment to continue his lacrosse career at High Point University beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year.
“It is a weird feeling to have committed [so early]and to know where you’re spending your life at college already as a sophomore,” the 6-foot-2 Ammann said.
Born in Leesburg, Ammann helped the Purcellville-based Woodgrove Wolverines to a 13-4 mark in 2014 falling to rival Loudoun Valley High School, 9-8, in the Dulles Group final on May 22. Just two days before, the Wolverines – led by head coach Jeff Lewandowski – beat perennial power Loudoun County High School in overtime of the Dulles Group semifinals.
“I have very high expectations for Woodgrove lacrosse this year,” said Ammann who plays club lacrosse for the VLC Blue Crabs. “This year our senior class has a huge roll, with a lot of talent and leadership; they can take us all the way. I think we will achieve a lot this season and make our team known.”
High Point head coach Jon Torpey is also attempting to make his team known. After starting the Division I Panthers program in the 2011-2012 season, Torpey and the Panthers took huge strides in the 2013-2014 season, finishing with a 9-7 record including a 4-1 mark in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
On May 3, the Panthers – including Woodgrove graduate Tucker Coil – fell to Richmond, 8-7, in the conference final.
“I think I’ll add a strong asset to the lock down defense coach Torpey runs and make the program the best we can possibly be,” Ammann said.
Starting in 2015, High Point will compete as an associate lacrosse member in the Southern Conference which slated the Panthers as the No. 2 seed in its preseason poll.
“I knew High Point was becoming a known program,” Ammann said. “I picked High Point because when I visited, I fell in love with the school, bonded with the players and respected the coach more than anything.”
At a young age, Ammann played baseball, but as the popularity of lacrosse grew countywide, he knew it was time to change sports.
“The first time I put a stick in my hand – around elementary school – I ended up falling in love with the sport.”
Owen Gotimer is a graduate of Heritage High School in Leesburg and is currently in his senior year at Syracuse University. Follow LoCoSports on Twitter (@LoCoSports) for up-to-date news and scores from around Loudoun County.