When it comes to lacrosse, Jack Walton always has been on the fast track.
The Lyons sophomore didn’t start playing lacrosse until sixth grade, but he picked up the sport with relative ease.
Once he arrived at Lyons, Walton wasted no time in making an impact on the varsity.
“It’s almost unheard of to be starting as a freshman,” Lions coach Tim Duffy said. “Jack is the only person in my 10 years of coaching that has been able to accomplish that.”
Walton had been a baseball player growing up but grew tired of the sport and it’s slow pace. That’s why lacrosse captured his attention. It was fast-paced and physical, but the adjustment was difficult at first.
“I didn’t like lacrosse when I first started it and I was just really bad,” Walton said. “I really started noticing in eighth grade and freshman year that I could do something with the sport.”
Walton’s size has been a big help as a top take away defenseman. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder plays football for the Lions and was brought up last fall to varsity for the team’s playoff appearance.
“I really think my height and size helps me control my matchups, especially when I have players smaller than me,” Walton said.
While Walton could focus on lacrosse, the wide receiver/safety/linebacker likes the contact and he believes football helps him on the lacrosse field.
Walton has been the most dominating player on Lyons (5-3, 2-3 West Suburban). Duffy says that Walton is averaging an impressive five caused turnovers per game.
“The great tool Jack possess is he’s gifted as a take away defenseman,” Duffy said. “We’ll call black [every defender tightens up on his man] and Jack will be able to take away the ball from who he’s guarding. It’s pretty unheard of to be able to do that and to do that as a sophomore is pretty special.”
Colleges are heavily recruiting Walton. This winter, he visited Marquette, which currently is ranked in the top 20 in several Division I polls.
“When I started going for visits, I was star-struck and didn’t know how to handle it,” Walton said. “Now I’m starting to understand the process. In lacrosse, early recruiting is a big thing. There’s probably already 100 kids in my class that are committed to Division I schools.”
More Top Picks Best Dining Tables
It’s challenging to shift through college pitches as a sophomore, but he realizes that he must follow that timeline.
“Marquette is definitely one of the front-runners,” he said. “I’m considering a few other schools, but I’m not saying which ones. We’ll see what other schools offer and I’ll hopefully make a decision over the summer.”
Valentin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.