Laxers Washo, Aarons connect as teammates, linemates, friends


Wednesday, March 18, 1998	Laxers Washo, Aarons connect as teammates, linemates, friends By CHRISTOPHER ANTONACCI Collegian Sports Writer In Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken," Frost gives an account of how he traveled down an unusual path to find happiness. But occasionally, happiness can be found by following the road already taken by others. Such is the case of Nittany Lion midfielder David Washo, who came to Penn State two years after midfielder Brendan Aarons.
`Penn State Men's Lacrosse Home Page`	After playing lacrosse for Penfield High School, the Rochester, N.Y., natives have been able to feed off of each other because of their previous experiences as teammates. Although they never played on the same line together in high school, Penfield coach Mark Rice said the two may connect because they come from the same high school program.
*"Even though they have two different personalities off the field, on the field they seem to click very well."* - Mark Rice, Penfield High School lacrosse head coach	"Even though they have two different personalities off the field, on the field they seem to click very well," he said. Usually players carry on what they learned from high school into the collegiate game, Rice said. Because they went through the same program, they can have similar approaches to game situations. For example, when Aarons is facing off, he said he knows where Washo, who plays on the wing, will be. This helps him scoop the ball in Washo's direction without saying a word. "We work as a team in that aspect," Washo said. Also, Aarons said by being high school teammates and now at Penn State, Washo instinctively knows when Aarons is in trouble. Thus, Washo gets into visible passing lanes when Aarons is having difficulty getting by defensemen.
`Penfield High School Home Page`	"He'll just know if I'm in trouble," he said. Washo, a sophomore, said when he first came to Penn State as a freshman, Aarons, now a senior, helped him adjust to University life and collegiate lacrosse competition.
Nittany Lion Brendan Aarons passes the ball in a game against SUNY-Stoneybrook last season. Aarons and teammate David Washo played together at Penfield High School in New York, and continue their strong bond at Penn State. (Collegian Photo/Shawn Knapp - click for full size image)	Washo said Aarons told him about coaches and how to adjust to the more demanding aspects of college lacrosse. Although it wasn't the sole reason Washo decided to come to Penn State, Aaron's presence did influence his decision. In addition, Aarons said Washo's family wishes him good luck before games and he usually goes out to dinner with them after the game. However, Penn State coach Glenn Thiel said they are not put together because of their high school connection, but rather because they compliment each other athletically. Also, Thiel said he doesn't necessarily recruit players from the same high school, but he looks for players who are capable of handling lacrosse and life at Penn State. "It depends on what is needed," he said. "We look for people that will fit in academically and athletically." Washo said he is glad to play with Aarons again. "It's good to have connections."