BY GENE NARDI
Two Wellington student athletes were recently named 2013 Brine Lacrosse National All-Americans. Both Thomas Oporto and Jake Legates were selected to play in the 2013 Brine National Lacrosse Classic.
The two will travel to Boyds, Md., and represent Florida in the nationally recognized event from Sunday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 3.
The Brine National Lacrosse Classic is an annual event that attracts top high school lacrosse players from around the nation to a single location where regional all-star teams compete to become national champions.
Both Oporto (Wellington High School) and Legates (St. Andrews-Boca Raton) are rising seniors and play lacrosse for their schools.
Oporto helped the Wolverines win back-to-back district championships, including this year’s convincing 14-4 victory over crosstown rival Palm Beach Central High School.
Legates helped guide the Scots all the way to the state championship finals, where they finished as runners-up.
The two are accustomed to facing one another on opposite sides of the field. The Scots have ended the Wolverines run at a state championship in regional play the last two years. For the Brine National Classic, the two will be joining forces, representing Florida in one of the most prestigious high school lacrosse events in the country.
Oporto posted impressive stats this year with 28 goals and 13 assists. He rallied 77 ground balls and forced 22 turnovers. He received first team all-district, all-region and all-conference honors. Legates put up 36 goals last season, had 19 assists and 45 ground balls for the Scots.
Both athletes have played lacrosse since a young age, and have developed into two of the area’s best. Both Oporto and Legates will return next season as seniors, hoping to lead their squads back to the FHSAA playoffs for a run at the state title.
ABOVE: St. Andrews midfielder Jake Legates maintains possession of the ball in the Scots’ regional state playoff game against Wellington.
