New programs and competitions were initiated in 2011, giving impetus to the popularity and growth of high school lacrosse. Another Cross-American level was added to the US Lacrosse High School American program. Under the auspices of US Lacrosse, the sport’s national governing body, the program chooses high school players for eligibility to compete in the lacrosse event of Champion Challenge at the ESPN RISE Games.

Formed out of the various lacrosse organizations and associations in the USA, US Lacrosse was organized in 1998. Its headquarters is situated at the grounds of Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Through its over 60 chapters around the USA, the organization provides services and organizes events to promote the lacrosse sport, encourage its growth and regulate its conduct.

In the 2011 lacrosse season, US Lacrosse chose high school lacrosse players for the National American squad. This new level was in addition to the Regional American athletes chosen at their respective localities. For the first team of the US Lacrosse National American squad 24 high school players were picked out. Another 24 were chosen for the second team. The addition of this new level to the US Lacrosse American program is a reflection of the growing popularity of the sport in high schools all over the country.

High school players for the District American teams chosen by the US Lacrosse chapters form the pool from which National American teams are made. The US Lacrosse High School American Review Team picks the athletes for the boys’ national America team. For the girls’ national All-America team, the selection is done by the US Lacrosse National High School All-America Leadership Group. The Champion Challenge at which these teams compete is held in Florida.

Many other lacrosse tournaments were held in 2011 at the local, regional and national levels. In addition to the purely local lacrosse competitions among schools in the area, the 2011 program of activities included the National Lacrosse Classic. This tournament featured two separate divisions for male and females in high school and middle school. The eight regions of the country hold try outs throughout the year to choose the players for twenty teams in each division.

Another lacrosse event is the Warrior 40 sponsored by ESPN RISE. This program picks the best rising high school lacrosse players to arrive at 40 elite players. These players then participate in a 3-day Warrior 40 Final Competition at the Harvard University grounds in July.

2011 is proving to be a milestone in the progress of high school lacrosse, giving momentum to a sport that is enjoying increasing popularity and participation among high school students all over the country.