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08/30/2018 12:00 AMIt takes a combination of physical prowess and mental fortitude in order to succeed as a lacrosse player. This spring, Tom Swank used both his muscle and his mind to attack from all angles as a member of the Hand boys’ lacrosse squad.
Tom is entering his senior year at Daniel Hand High School, where he plays on the attack for Tigers’ boys’ lacrosse. During his junior campaign, Tom led Hand in both goals scored (71) and total points (95) to make the All-SCC Second Team and All-State Second Team, in addition to earning the Tigers’ Top Offensive Player Award. Along the way, he helped Hand advance to the Class M State Tournament final for the fourth consecutive season. Tom has already committed to play lacrosse at Division III Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.
“We had a great group of guys this year that helped me do what I did on the field. In the offseason, it’s about preparing myself to be the best player I can be, and then just going out and doing it in the spring,” Tom says. “It’s not solely about individual success, because it contributes to the bigger picture of team success.”
Tom explains that mind games are a key component to his approach of trying to deceive defenders with his next move on the field. Speaking more to his mental game, Tom emphasizes the importance of maintaining his composure when the going gets rough out there.
“Lacrosse is a mental sport. You can try to beat someone off the dodge, but I love to try and outsmart defenders and make them think what I’ll do next, and then do something different,” says Tom. “It comes with disadvantages, because you can go up against a stronger defender that bullies you physically. It can throw you off your game mentally, so you just have to calm yourself down.”
Tom, who took 190 shots on goal this season, believes that having a solid shot is one of his standout attributes as an attacker. It’s a skill that Tom has spent a lot of time working on, while getting plenty of reps in his own home.
“My shot is the strongest part of my game. I like to be an outside shooter and can do multiple things with the ball,” Tom says. “Kids have asked me how I have gotten my shot so fast and, from 7th grade through freshman year, I spent one to two hours a day shooting in my backyard. I love the game so much that I would never put down my stick.”
Tom often has to go up against some of the opposition’s best defenders, although he doesn’t consider that a hindrance. Instead, Tom views that challenge as just another way in which he can develop a deeper skill set.
“I love to challenge myself, and facing top defenders makes me think about what I have to do to succeed, even if it means doing something different,” he says. “It helps build up my repertoire of what I can do. It’s about playing the way you want to play, because they have to cover you.”
Tigers’ Head Coach John Orlando compliments Tom for the dedication he displays while honing his craft. Orlando also notes that Tom is always focused on helping Hand achieve its collective objectives as a team.
“Tom has a very hard, accurate shot and works really well off the ball and dodging to shoot. As with all of our top performers, he is one of the hardest-working players. He puts the time in working on his shooting and dodging on his own,” says Orlando. “Tommy is a very competitive player, always trying to do his best to help the team win and achieve our goals. We are looking forward to his senior season.”
There can be a bit of a sting that comes with being part of three straight state final defeats. However, Tom says those losses are merely driving the Tigers to bring home the gold in 2019 as a way to pay tribute to all the great leaders who’ve come through the program.
“The final this year was a tough one to lose, but it was a fun game to play in,” says Tom. “The loss hit home with a lot of people, but next year we have a great group coming back. We will be playing for a state title for those who paved the road before us.”