Expectations for Corona del Mar’s boys lacrosse team weren’t as high going into this season because of the loss of some key players to graduation.
But that only served as inspiration for Ryan Mix, The Orange County Register’s 2010 boys lacrosse player of the year.
“The entire season, we defied expectations,” Mix said. “No one else would have really believed we could do what we did the year before. We came out with really low rankings and low expectations, even from people on the team, and we came out and surprised everyone.”
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The Sea Kings were ranked No. 1 for the entire season in Orange County and wound up repeating as Pacific Coast League champions.
It wasn’t the ending that Mix, who plays attack, was hoping for, however. The Sea Kings lost to Foothill for the second year in a row in the county finals.
“I had that happen twice, my junior year and my senior year,” Mix said. “It’s something that’s going to stay with me forever, but even getting there is a championship in itself. It was rough, but we didn’t leave anything on the field. They’re (Foothill) a very good lacrosse team.”
Mix, a four-year starter, did his share, scoring 80 goals and notching 22 assists to earn player of the year honors in the Pacific Coast League.
“We did it through hard work and good coaching. We all wanted it, we wanted it a lot more than other teams that we played,” Mix said.
Mix got to know about the sport from his father, G.W., the coach at Corona del Mar, when the family was living in North Carolina. G.W. Mix also played the sport in college.
“I started playing it in the fourth grade,” Ryan Mix said. “It was the only sport I was actually anywhere near decent at.”
Opponents would tell you he is more than decent; he’s one of the best players on the field, game in and game out.
“It was an honor to coach Ryan,” G.W. Mix said. “He was a model player and teammate for all four years. We will miss his dedication to the cause, his humility and his work ethic.
“He made it easy on his old man and did his part during the offseason, before, during and after practices, to make sure the ‘he’s just the coach’s kid,’ comments were never really spoken.”
Ryan Mix was used to playing for his father.
“He’s been helping me out basically my whole youth career,” the younger Mix said. “Next year will be the first time he’s not actually my coach. It’s always been nice to be able to talk to him about stuff at home.”
Next year Mix will take his game to Notre Dame, where he will play attack.
He believes he’s leaving the Corona del Mar program in good hands.
“I think we’ve proven we’re not just a one-year team to make it to the championship, we basically created a dynasty and we’re always going to be someone to watch out for,” Mix said.
He will also remember his teammates and his career with the Sea Kings.
“It was a great season and a great all four years, but the one thing I take from this the most is the teammates and friends I’ve made,” he said. “That’s what’s really important. I’m not going to remember the scoreboards, but I’ll remember my friends forever.”
