Frustration had begun to set in for Ryan Harnisch.
After transferring from Huntington Beach to JSerra, then from JSerra to St. Margaret’s, Harnisch was forced to sit out his team’s first nine games of the season.
During that time, the Tartans started 2-4. The team had rallied to get a game above .500 with a 5-4 record before Harnisch could finally suit up.
“It was frustrating,” Harnisch said. “I know I could have helped the team. But it went way faster than I thought it would.”
Even though Harnisch was eager to get on the field, he acknowledged he was also nervous. He knew he had to step up because there were a lot of expectations for him.
And he didn’t disappoint. When Harnisch was finally able to suit up, he and St. Margaret’s began to soar. Harnisch played so well he was selected the Register’s boys lacrosse player of the year for 2013.
2013 All-County boys lacrosse team
St. Margaret’s Miles is boys lacrosse coach of the year
“It’s an honor,” he said. “But this is also a team sport, so I have to give my teammates credit.”
In the U.S. Lacrosse Southern Section South Division championship game against Corona del Mar, there was a 69-second span that showcased why Harnisch was selected the top player in the county.
With his team trailing by a goal, he began to dominate the faceoff circle. He scored a goal, one of his team’s four scores in the 69-second time frame, to take his team from trailing by one goal to ahead by three goals.
St. Margaret’s never relinquished the lead and claimed the county title, unseating the Sea Kings, who won the South Division championship in 2012.
“Ryan was a big difference maker for us,” Tartans junior Hunter Edington said. “It’s big when you can have someone control 80percent of the faceoffs.”
Following the win against Corona del Mar, the Tartans defeated Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood, 15-8, in the Southern Section title game.
Harnisch said he didn’t expect the team to achieve what it did before the season. He believed it would take maybe one or two years for new St. Margaret’s coach Glen Miles’ system to set in.
Harnisch might have been caught off-guard by his team’s success, but Miles wasn’t surprised by Harnisch’s.
“I’m very excited (for him),” Miles said. “Ryan’s a very phenomenal kid, very humble. He’s probably more shocked and surprised by these honors and accolades (than anyone else).”
Though he dominated at times and helped turn around the Tartans’ season, there is still room for Harnisch to grow.
The sophomore says he has a lot to work on. Harnisch wants to get better at faceoffs and will look to improve his overall lacrosse game.
Edington said it was great to have such a young player step up and do so well, and he is confident Harnisch will continue to flourish.
“I expect nothing but him getting better,” Edington said. “I know he’s committed to getting better and better each and every season.”
Harnisch, who has committed to the University of Denver, said as far as team aspirations for next season, he expects the team to contend for another Southern Section championship.
Fortunately for St. Margaret’s, he’ll be leading the way right from the start of next season.
Contact the writer: amorales@ocregister.com
