The last two seasons were truly successful but frustrating at the same time for the Mercer Island Islanders boys lacrosse team.
Mercer Island, which lost to the Bellevue Wolverines in the 3A state title game in 2017 and 2018, are determined to break through with a state championship this May at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila. Mercer Island senior Stew Vassau believes his team has the moxie to make their dreams a reality in late May.
“We definitely want to (win) a state championship. The last two years we’ve come up short. We got a major chip on our shoulder this year. Bellevue has kind of been the monkey on our back,” Vassau said. “I’m feeling really confident in the guys this year.”
Vassau said Islanders’ head coach Ian O’Hearn is one of the best coaches in the state.
“It is an honor for playing coach O’Hearn. I think his greatest asset as a coach is his experience. Before every game, he will say exactly what is going to happen and for some reason he is always right. It’s been a pattern. He knows what he is doing,” Vassau said.
Vassau will continue his lacrosse career at the University of Utah next season.
“It has been one of my dreams for a long time coming now. It has given me a little bit of a new perspective and a great understanding. It has allowed me to focus on this season and what we got going forward in front of us,” he said.
Recently the Mercer Island Reporter had an opportunity to ask Vassau some questions about his life away from the lacrosse field.
Mercer Island Reporter: What is your favorite movie of all time?
Stew Vassau: “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.”
MIR: What is your favorite restaurant on Mercer Island?
SV: Qdoba (Mexican eatery). It is a solid choice.
MIR: If you could pick one person to go to dinner with, who would it be?
SV: I would say Taylor Swift. Everyone loves Taylor Swift.
MIR: How many text messages do you send per day?
SV: I’m not on my phone too much. Maybe around 30 per day.
MIR: What kind of music are you listening to the most in your car right now?
SV: I like classic rock. I go through different phases, but right now it’s classic rock.
