Lacrosse runs in the family for MICDS sophomore Harry Wellford. His mom owned a lacrosse equipment store, his brother helped MICDS win two state championships, and his sister, a senior, also plays for the school. So it was a natural choice for the 16-year-old to pick up a stick 10 years ago and make his mark on the field.
Ranked as one of the top 25 Young Gun Sophomores of 2014 by Inside Lacrosse, Wellford has accomplished a lot in the sport at a young age. Along with playing on the high school team, he also is affiliated with multiple club teams: 3d Colorado, Project Missouri and West Coast Starz.
As a freshman, he had a rewarding season across the board: His 3d Colorado team won the FIL World Lacrosse Championships and the U.S. Lacrosse U15 National Championships, and MICDS won the state championship. But along with the first-place finishes comes a true appreciation for the sport. “On all my teams, it’s like a family,” Wellford says. “All the players genuinely care for each other, and we all have a good time.”
Wellford has given a verbal commitment to play at the University of Virginia. “I just felt at home when I visited,” he says. “They are ranked in the top three in the country for lacrosse, and the coach is the all-time winningest lacrosse coach in the history of the game.” Wellford is the only St. Louis player to commit to an Atlantic Coast Conference school. “One of the biggest reasons I chose Virginia is because it was in the ACC, which offers the best competition in the country.”
His success doesn’t come without hard work. Practices at school begin in February, and in the off season, Wellford, who also plays football, trains four times a week with Project Missouri, a club team led by MICDS head coach Andy Kay. He also travels nationally with the West Coast Starz, which is composed of the top players from the West Coast and Midwest. For now, Wellford is looking forward to the upcoming school season. “Hopefully we’ll win another state championship.”