By Caley Breese
Growing up, Cole Evans wanted to be known as a top athlete around school. Inspired by his father's athleticism, Evans picked up his first lacrosse stick at age three. Now, 14 years later, it looks like he's accomplished that goal as he gears up for his senior year with plans to pursue college lacrosse.
Evans, a 17-year-old Chestertown native, is a standout in soccer and lacrosse for Gunston. He played soccer throughout his elementary and middle school years, but stopped to focus on lacrosse. During his sophomore year, Evans decided to play soccer again, and tried out for the Herons. Not only did he make varsity, but he was named captain as well.
“I figured, ‘Well if I'm named a captain, I must be okay at it,' so I kept playing,” he says with a laugh.
Evans' success on the soccer field during his sophomore year motivated him to continue playing the following year, and landed him a spot on the ESIAC All-Conference Soccer Team in 2017.
Although Evans is a versatile player and thrives at several positions, he admits he plays soccer to stay in shape for lacrosse, which he's played for 11 years. Since his freshman year as a starting midfielder on varsity, Evans has made the ESIAC All-Conference Lacrosse Team, and was also named Player of the Year Runner-Up his junior year. He also received the MILL All-Conference Lacrosse Second Team honors in 2017 and 2018 and was named Team MVP as a junior.
“I'm proud of all of them, but I think I'm most proud of the Player of the Year Runner-Up,” Evans says. “Obviously, it would be awesome to be the Player of the Year, but to be runner-up to the kid [who received the award] and knowing some of the other competition that's in our league is pretty cool.”
Despite his success, Evans' motivation and determination hasn't wavered.
“It makes me feel proud, but still hungry,” he explains. “It's runner-up; not Player of the Year. If I get second-team, I'm like, ‘Well I could've been first-team.' I should've worked harder to be first-team, or done this, or done that. Regardless of the award, I feel like there's always the next step.”
Gunston Boys Lacrosse Head Coach Chris Dollar recognizes Evans' tremendous work ethic and leadership skills.
“He ings that special mix of being a vocal leader, but also being a leader by example, so the kids tend to gravitate toward him,” Dollar explains. “He's been a real key part to the team. He wants to get better; he wants to learn. He is curious about that in an intellectual sense. He's like, ‘How can I be a better player?' He's got great respect for the game, and it's been a real pleasure and joy to coach him.”
He excels in the classroom, too. Evans maintains a 3.6 grade point average. He's also an active member of the Environmental Club and National Honor Society, was elected class treasurer his junior year, and now serves as senior class vice president.
“Off the field, he's just as good of a kid,” Dollar says. “He has a lot of different interests in things. I always tell the kids, ‘Don't let sports define you because it's a great big world out there.' He takes that to heart.”
Although he only participated in one season of club lacrosse for Shore Kaos in 2014, Evans attended as many college prospect days as he could throughout his career to showcase his skills.
“I've talked with a couple of schools,” he explains. “The schools that I've talked to have shown a lot of interest, but I'm still trying to work up the scale. Since I don't play club, I don't get as much exposure.”
He's not letting that stop him though. This past summer, he participated in several prospect days to get more exposure. Evans has interest in two Virginia schools: Christopher Newport University and Roanoke College.
“He's definitely one of those kids who can play at the college level,” Dollar says. “He's got the work ethic, and once you get to that level, work ethic is probably the thing that gets you on the team. Everybody is talented, everybody is fast, everybody is big and strong and has good stick skills. It's really about—in my experience—the work ethic. To that point, he's got it, and hopefully he finds a place that's a great fit for him and has a good college career. I would expect that.”
Regardless of where Evans decides to attend college, he's more than ready for that challenge.
“I'm looking forward to getting to college and having nicer facilities, a serious team, and I can count on the coach inging in guys every year that are going to want to work for the best spot,” Evans says. “That will take my game to the next level because I'll be pushed every day in order to get on the field. I'm really looking forward to just taking my game to the next level.”
