BY GENE NARDI
Wellington High School senior Jason D’Aoust has committed to play lacrosse for St. Leo University next year.
The Wolverine attacker will play for coach Brad Jorgensen and the Lions after he graduates high school.
Jorgensen is in his ninth year as the Lions’ coach, and he recently achieved his 100th career victory.
Next season, St. Leo will compete in the Division II Sunshine State Conference.
D’Aoust said he chose St. Leo over other schools after a visit to the campus.
“It’s a lot closer to home than the other schools that were interested in me, and I really liked the way the programs are developed around the students,” D’Aoust said. “The lacrosse facilities are on the second floor of a parking building, with a turf field designed specifically for lacrosse.”
D’Aoust, who plans to major in business at the university, will most likely be a left-side attackman for the Lions next season. He has been conditioning and working on his speed in the off-season.
“As a sophomore, I knew I wasn’t that fast, and needed to work on my speed,” he said.
D’Aoust also has been developing his left-side shot. He is committed to making both sides equal on the field, making it harder for defenders to predict which side he will shoot from.
D’Aoust developed a love for the sport of lacrosse in middle school. He played for several club teams and started with the Wellington Wolfpack.
He went on to play for Florida Elite, District 23 Elite and the Warpigs.
“In middle school, I saw a college game between Syracuse and Cornell on TV, and I knew my dream was to play lacrosse in college,” D’Aoust said.
His quest to play college lacrosse began when he entered high school. D’Aoust was a three-year starter for the Wellington High School Wolverines under coach Joe Calby.
D’Aoust was an All-District attackman his freshman, sophomore and junior years.
In his sophomore year, he was awarded the coach’s Unsung Hero Award with 31 goals and 29 assists that season.
In his junior year, D’Aoust put up even bigger numbers, tallying 39 goals and 31 assists.
Still awaiting his senior season as a Wolverine, he prepares by training and playing in lacrosse tournaments.
D’Aoust’s goal is to help lead his team to its third consecutive district championship, and then make a run for the state title.
D’Aoust has the desire to continue with his lacrosse career after graduating St. Leo by promoting and conducting camps for young athletes.
D’Aoust had this advice for young aspiring players: “Balance your time between lacrosse and school, and don’t give up on your dream,” he said.
To follow D’Aoust and the Wolverines this season, visit www.wellingtonlax.com for schedules and stats.
To learn more about St. Leo University’s athletic programs, visit www.saintleolions.com.
ABOVE: Jason D’Aoust runs around a Palm Beach Central defender.
