Gerry Manning has never had a large pool to pick from for his St. Margaret’s boys lacrosse team.
But that hasn’t kept him from developing it into one of the best in the county.
This year, Manning, The Register’s boys lacrosse coach of the year, led the Tartans to the finals of the U.S. Lacrosse Division 1 South playoffs.
St. Margaret’s fell to Foothill, 15-10.
But Manning, who has been at the school 17 years and the coach since starting the program in 2001, was proud of what his squad accomplished.
2011 All-County boys lacrosse team
Foothill’s Adamson is boys lacrosse player of the year
“It means so much to us, because we can only pick from about 190 boys (at the school),” Manning said. “Every year, it’s a fight to have enough guys on the team and have everyone up to speed.”
“It’s truly a testament to our coaching staff and our players who dig in and find it in their hearts and their souls to do what they do. They’re not over-achieving, these kids work hard and most are dual sport athletes, some of them are tri-sport, so we get them when we get them.”
Each year, the approach is the same.
“We have a great mission statement for our lacrosse team, which is to honor the game and to play with pride and respect for all,” Manning said.
Manning said this year’s team exceeded expectations in winning the school’s fifth consecutive Trinity League title.
“No one thought we were going to have a good team,” he said. “They knew we would be competitive, but I think the Trinity League and the county teams were a little bit surprised.”
The program has come a long ways.
It started as a fledging JV program which didn’t have a win its first year and has developed into a consistent winner, notching a 112-47 record in 11 years. The team is 37-3 in the last five years in the Trinity League.
In 2005, the team won the state championship when lacrosse was a club sport.
“That was a true state championship, and that was all of California,” Manning said. “That was a real breakthrough.”
Manning, 57, doesn’t take the credit for the program’s success.
“It’s assistant coaches and great administrative support and great families (who are important),” he said.
Manning still loves the sport. He developed a love for lacrosse when he played it in New Jersey before his family moved to California in 1970. The Cal State Fullerton graduate has witnessed the growth of the sport in Orange county.
“This is such a great game, but this game teaches such character and commitment,” he said. “It’s a game of honor and should be treated that way.”
He has been impressed with how fast the sport has grown.
“I’m really proud of Orange County and how fast these kids have learned,” he said.
That includes his St. Margaret’s players.
“These kids listen, we love them,” he said.
