Leesburg, Va. — Loudoun County High School senior Zac Beal has decided to continue his athletic and academic career at Wingate University beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year.
“I chose Wingate because when I stepped on the campus, it felt like home,” the 6-foot-3 long-stick midfielder said. “It was an open campus filled with trees and reminded me of where I grew up. When I first met my future teammates, I felt as if I had known them for much longer than the hours of my initial visit because they were all very welcoming. The coaching staff made me feel like I was a part of the team and made sure to show me everything Wingate had to offer. It feels great to finally settle down on a school and lock in my next four years.”
[adrotate banner=”19″]In his first season at the helm of the program, Wingate head coach Tim Boyle led the Division II Bulldogs to a record-setting 13-4 record in 2017. On top of the record-setting record, Wingate also claimed the South Atlantic Conference tournament championship.
“I feel I will add my own style to the team and show my teammates and coaches my drive and determination to the team dynamics with a winning attitude,” Beal said. “Whether it’s taking the field or the classroom, I hope to excel and grow in a way that makes not only my team proud, but my family and myself proud as well.”
While he hopes to add more accolades at Wingate, Beal is already an accomplished lacrosse player. Beal has been named all-conference first or second team following each of his first three seasons with the Raiders.
“My family is very involved and my parents have not only funded but attended countless hours of practices, tournaments and games,” Beal said. “I am very thankful for them and everything they do for me. The love of my family motivates me most to play.”
Beal noted that Dave Colangelo – who coaches him at Loudoun County and at the Cavalier Lacrosse Club – is one of the most influential people in his lacrosse career, and it is Colangelo who has believed in him all these years while giving him all the tools he needed to succeed on and off the field.
“I am thrilled for Zac and his family to announce his commitment to play lacrosse at Wingate,” Colangelo said. “Zac has been a key player for us defensively going all the way back to his freshman year on varsity. He has been a tremendous play-maker for us, and I think he’s going to be a great player at the next level.”
In 2016, the Raiders fell to Dominion, 9-8, in a VHSL 4A North Zone semifinal, finishing their season 12-6.
As a senior, Beal’s last goal as a Loudoun County Raider is to leave everything out on the field and walk away from the lacrosse season with a state ring on his finger.
“My favorite part about lacrosse is putting work in during every practice and seeing everyone’s hard work pay off with a win, which is what I want to see happen this upcoming high school season,” Beal said. “I mostly enjoy the brotherhood I’ve developed and all the fun I have every day with my brothers.”
