Justice High School Lacrosse Secures First District Championship

SEVEN CORNERS, VA — Justice High School, the last Fairfax County high school to get a lacrosse team, won its first district championship in its 17 years of existence.

The 25-player varsity team secured the championship with an 8-1 season and will compete in regionals. This winning record also marked the season with the most wins and least losses for the Justice Wolves.

"Winning the district title has been the cherry on top to getting back to some normalcy," said varsity head coach Robale Namen, acknowledging the challenges of playing the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Wolves secured the championship under the leadership of Namen, a Justice High School alumnus who also teaches physical education/health and personal fitness. While this was his first year as varsity coach, part of the team's success can be attributed to his work to make the sport more accessible, starting with an after-school program at a local middle school.

The lacrosse program has come a long way after being seen as a struggling program. Justice High School didn't have a lacrosse program until 17 years ago, making it the last Fairfax County high school to get one. As a school with over 65 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced price meals and a third as English Language Learners, students aren't often exposed to the upscale sport or are unable to afford the equipment.

One way to develop players before high school has been gauging interest at Glasgow Middle School's after-school program. The program, which typically includes academic and activities components, allowed Namen to come in and let students sign up for lacrosse. He would pull up with his car and teach them through a combination of basis drills and fun games. Kids don't need to bring equipment, as he reaches out to private schools each year to see if they have old equipment to give away. The most interest he's ever received in the lacrosse after-school program was 50 kids.

The high school lacrosse team also recruits players from other sports teams at Justice High School. This year's district winning team includes four seniors who played youth lacrosse together, as well as a state champion wrestler, all-conference/all-region football players, and track and hockey players. The majority of the team didn't play lacrosse until the middle school after-school program or high school.

"Our school would not be able to survive if not for students playing multiple sports," said Namen.

Even with a pipeline of interested players, the team faces the challenge of some players not being able to afford the equipment. With the school district only covering the costs for referees and transportation, other costs are covered through fundraising. Because lacrosse doesn't generate ticket revenue in the same way as football and basketball, Namen says the team has to work a little harder to ensure they have equipment other schools' lacrosse teams have.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges for the team, both in fundraising and practicing. Players can typically participate in off-season practices, but COVID-19 changed that in 2020. Other school's players typically join travel teams, while Justice lacrosse depends on off-season practices.

Once summer came around, sports began to be allowed again with restrictions. Namen filled the off-season gap by starting a travel team, with many athletes participating through scholarships.

"They worked really hard, and they put in a lot of work in the off-season," said Namen.

Before restrictions were eased, the team also dealt with other COVID-related changes like not being able to see each other in school, wearing masks off the field and not being able to use locker rooms. However, none of the players have tested positive for the virus.

The team secured the district championship on June 1 and finished its season with a banner reveal during the game against Wakefield High School on June 2. The team next faces regionals with the first game on June 14.

Regardless of the regional outcome, the district championship is a milestone they will want to celebrate. Namen says the team will plan a celebration and hold its team banquet.

The varsity coach hopes the players will apply the lessons learned from winning a championship to wherever they end up in life.

"If you work hard, if you're committed to something, the results are going to be rewarding," said Namen.