Garfield High School is home to two of the best lacrosse players in Washington State.  On March 20th, junior Linnea Whisman and sophomore Maya Code-Williams made the regional team.

Each coach in the state was allowed to nominate up to six players to go to the regional tryouts.  The Garfield coach nominated three.  They were Whisman, Code-Williams, and Highline student Cori Allan.

About 45 girls were at the tryout.  Only 20 would make the team, and two would be alternates.

“I was ready to sh** myself,” Whisman said.

First was a timed mile, followed by passing.  Next there were one versus one drills.  Then they faced off seven versus seven. 

“I didn’t think I was doing very well,” Code-Williams said.
However, Whisman clarified that Code-Williams’ playing “not very well” was actually very impressive.
First cuts were made after the seven versus seven scrimmages. The tryout ended with a full-field scrimmage.

After playing for five hours, the girls gathered together and the numbers of those who had made the team were called out.  Whisman and Code-Williams were overjoyed to hear their numbers, 26 and 28.

“It was epic,” Whisman said.

For the next few days, the ache of every sore muscle that came with each step reminded them of their accomplishment.

Both Whisman and Code-Williams started lacrosse at Seattle Girls School.  Whisman didn’t start until seventh grade because she was occupied with dancing in the Nutcracker at Pacific Northwest Ballet before that.  Code-Williams, on the other hand, started in fifth grade.
They were coached by Stephanie Cone, who previously coached the Danish national team. 

Whisman and Code-Williams excelled from there.  They now lead their team in assists.  In four games, they both have two.

In addition, Code-Williams leads the team in number of goals, with nine.  Most shots are made overhand, but Code-Williams has an extremely intimidating side-armed shot.

One of Whisman’s strengths, besides assists, is draw controls.   Draw controls are similar to jump balls in basketball.  They are used to start the game and to start play after a goal is scored.  Whisman is in the top ten in Divison 1 for draw controls.

After the school season ends, the regional season starts.  The regional team will only have two practices together before the tournament starts on Memorial Day weekend.
The Washington team has been very successful in past years.  Two years ago, the regional team consisted of players from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.  They went on to win their division.

However they were forced to split up the next year.  Nevertheless, Washington came in second in their division.

This year’s regional team is coached by Bainbridge coach Tammy Tomila and Jamie Asaka.  They are both great coaches and lacrosse players.  Tomila even played for Canada’s national team.

Whisman and Code-Williams are very excited to play for them.

“They’re so funny,” Whisman said.

Playing for the regional team is also a great recruiting opportunity.  Both Whisman and Code-Williams want to continue playing lacrosse in college.

Whisman has no idea where she wants to go yet. 

However, Code – Williams has decided she wants to do fashion design.  She’s run into the problem that most fashion schools don’t have lacrosse teams.

In the meantime, they both just want to improve their already exceptional lacrosse skills. 

“We should both try to get in the top ten shooting,” Code-Williams suggested to Whisman. 

After Whisman’s skepticism, she added, “Well, you could do it for assists.”

With players like Whisman and Code-Williams, it is highly unlikely that the Washington regional team will do anything but place well in the tournament.