Author’s Note:  Kids, pay attention!  This is a recruiting article!  Way to go Parker!  Remember kids, you are passing on your knowledge to those coming up behind you!

  Congratulations to Parker for his college choice and good luck in the future!   Name Parker Junod High School Winter Park High School Graduation Year 2019 College Choice Mercer University Club Affiliations Sweetlax Florida 2019, Sweetlax National 2019, Always Sunny Elite     Why did you choose this college? I chose Mercer University because I felt at home the moment I arrived on campus until I left. Coach Hannan and Coach Surman gave me a full weekend experience of what it would be like to be a Bear. Every single box or priority important to me when choosing a college or university was checked. Strong academic programs including business or engineering, location, size of campus, culture of the team and the relationship and connection with the coaches were important to me. I also really wanted to play lacrosse at a school with a football and basketball team to round out my college experience. The coaching staff at Mercer made me feel like I can be a contributor to the program. I really love the coaches! What are your first memories of the sport? I remember attending my first lacrosse camp in 2nd grade. I borrowed a bunch of gear from older players and most of it didn’t fit, but I knew after that camp I loved lacrosse and wanted to continue to play. Now I share my gear with beginning players. I also remember the friendships I made playing with multiple local lacrosse clubs. We are still friends today because of youth lacrosse and we are now high school rivals. What part of the process was most surprising to you about the recruiting process and what would you like to pass on to those who are going to face it in the future? I was most surprised learning how every college coach and program who recruited me are all so different, but every single college coach who contacted me liked I am a multi sport athlete. I have felt pressure to specialize in lacrosse as I have gotten older. College coaches told me playing football and basketball helps players handle different coaching styles and helps develop and transfer skills for lacrosse. I would like to pass on to players interested in going through the recruiting process to play multiple sports and keep an open mind as you narrow your options. By visiting the campus, spending time with the team, building relationships with coaches and learning about academics and the social life helped me. What I researched and thought would be a good fit for me, felt different on each campus and there is no way to compare each opportunity. After Sept. 1 of junior year, the coaches who are showing interest are interested, but there are many levels of interest. Focus on the ones who make you feel wanted. Listen to your coaches. They will be honest. Don’t compare yourself to other players. Everyone’s process is different. You will know in your heart which programs are a right fit for you. Who would you like to thank for helping you get here? First, I am thankful to God for giving me countless opportunities and blessings in the lacrosse community. I want to thank my Winter Park High School Coach, Ryan Healey, for believing in me, trusting me, supporting me and pushing me to be the best player on and off of the field I can be. Without Kevin Martin from Sweetlax being honest and direct through this process and helping me find the right fit, I would not be where I am today. Thank you to Tommy Costanza from Sweetlax for being there to answer our questions and going above and beyond for our family. Thank you to Coach Sweeney and Coach Vossler, my Sweetlax coaches, for coaching me in the fall and summer! I have loved playing for you! I also want to thank my teammates from Winter Park High School, Sweetlax and Always Sunny for pushing me in all things and being some of my best friends. Lastly, I would like to thank my family for the sacrifices they have made for me to achieve my dream of playing college lacrosse. I would not be in this position if it wasn’t for everyone making a difference in my life!