Lacrosse is growing in popularity all over the United States. Ten years ago, Major League Lacrosse put two teams in California, and they remained until a year after the economy crashed in 2008. Though there are no longer any professional teams in California for the sport, it is increasing in popularity among the high schools. There are many teams in the Los Angeles area, Bay Area, and a few teams in the Sacramento area. However, the sport is not as successful in the 209. Currently, there are only two programs in this area with lacrosse teams, St. Mary's and Lincoln. I believe that slowly more high schools will get teams. I think that eventually every division I school in the area and a few smaller schools will have the sport. Which school will be next? Here is a list of five candidates I think have the best chance of being the next school.
(Teams will be listed in alphabetical order)
Bear Creek Bruins (Stockton)
Why? When things spread, they often go to the closest thing geographically. In this case, Bear Creek is the closest school to Lincoln.
Why not? Though Bear Creek is the closest geographically to Lincoln, it plays in a different league.
2. Golden Valley Cougars (Merced)
Why?: UC-Merced has a team on the club level. I don't know if the Golden Bobcats would want to have a varsity program; but either way, Golden Valley could serve as a feeder program for the university.
Why not?: Golden Valley is so far away from the other teams. The two Stockton schools are the closest opponents to Golden Valley, and they are more than an hour drive away.
3. Lodi Flames
Why?: It is the closest division I school to Sacramento. In addition, it plays in the same league as Lincoln and St. Mary's.
Why not?: Honestly, I cannot think of anything of substance to answer this question. There are other programs that seem more suitable than Lodi, but I have no evidence to support that statement.
4. Ripon Christian Knights
Why?: Ripon Christian is the only school under 1,000 I think has a shot. Why? Currently the Knights have fewer spring sports than other schools. They don't have a track team, and they got rid of boy’s volleyball a few years ago. Lacrosse would allow extra training for the football, and more important to them, basketball players.
Why not?: Size. Since the school has around 175 students, it would need a large percentage of students not already playing a sport to play lacrosse. That is not likely.
5. Tracy Bulldogs
Why?: Though Mountain House is the closest school to the Bay Area, it is still too small right now. The next closest town is Tracy. Out of the three public Tracy high schools, Tracy High has had the most athletic success. Plus, it is in the same league as Lincoln and St. Mary's.
Why not?: West and Kimball are closer to the Bay Area, and that may increase the chances of one of those two schools of getting the program.
Order of likelihood of lacrosse actually happening in my opinion:
Tracy 2) Lodi 3) Bear Creek 4) Ripon Christian 5) Golden Valley
Bonus Information:
Next 5 Schools I think have a chance to be the next program
6. West (Tracy) 7. Tokay (Lodi) 8. McNair (Stockton) 9. Gregori (Modesto) 10. Enochs (Modesto)
In reality, I think the sport will get bigger in the Sacramento - area before it makes its way South. The next school in the entire Sac-Joaquin Section that gets it will be Folsom
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