By Tom Witherspoon / HSSTM Central Kansas
tom.witherspoon@hsstm.com

The Wichita Renegades high school lacrosse team finishes up its 2008 spring season with state playoffs beginning Thursday. In existence for five years, the Renegades team competed against varsity competition for the first time season, matching up against teams from Tulsa, Edmond, Leavenworth, Kansas City, Olathe, Republic, Omaha and Northwest Arkansas.

After a three-game winning streak in April, gaining wins over Tulsa, NW Arkansas And Edmond, the Renegades record fell to 4-7 this past week. However, the team has taken huge strides in its first year of varsity competition. This past Saturday, they defeated Tulsa 6-5 in triple overtime before dropping a match to Blue Valley West.

The team is led by an experienced player from Natick, Mass. George Sellew moved to the Wichita area this past summer and brought with him his lacrosse skills. "I didn't know if was going to get to play anymore," Sellew said by phone this week. The Renegades club was solidly established, however, and primed for its first season of varsity play. Sellew, who has played since 10 years old, leads the team with his experience and skills. Jason Meng, a student at Bishop Carroll, is a strong four-year player, adding senior experience to the team.

The Renegades varsity team is made up of 17 players from seven different area high schools this spring.

For information about playing lacrosse, which is not yet a high school-sanctioned sport in Kansas but is growing rapidly across the nation, contact Renegades coach David Sherman at 258-5330.