SARATOGA, N.Y.—Seven champions were crowned this past weekend at the ninth annual Saratoga Shootout, a boys lacrosse tournament co-hosted at Gavin Park by Summit Lacrosse Ventures and Syracuse-based Rhino Lacrosse. 

Crowds of families and friends were gathered along the sidelines and underneath the shade cast from Gavin Park’s massive pine trees as games at the Saratoga Shootout kicked off the morning of June 25 and ran through the afternoon of June 26. 

Boys divisions ranging from 10U to a high school 2023-2025 bracket featured more than 50 teams from as far away as Georgia, Illinois and Canada competing for titles and the chance to celebrate in the winner’s circle with the tournament’s founders on Sunday afternoon. 

Vendors and Summit Lacrosse Ventures partners, including 2022 Find Your Summit Tour (#FNDURSUMT) lead sponsor Gait Lacrosse, were on site all weekend, creating a carnival on the Gavin Park green as families made their way to and from each contest. 

First held in 2013, the Shootout was established by Summit Lacrosse Ventures and Rhino Lacrosse as a family-friendly championship style tournament with the aim of bringing people together to honor the game in a peaceful, relaxed setting and to offer young players the chance to compete and develop alongside their teammates. 

“The Shootout is one of our favorite tournaments every year because of the family atmosphere and the fact we get to see up-and-coming teams finding their stride together,” said Kevin Leveille, Brand and Event Manager for Summit Lacrosse Ventures. 

Leveille, who shined as a college, professional and international lacrosse player, credited fellow star Ryan Powell, the Founder and Director of Rhino Lacrosse, for conceiving the idea to host an event in one of New York State’s most adored locations—one not far from Cap City, historic Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga Race Course and its famed thoroughbred horse racing, the Adirondack Mountains and countless other attractions. 

“Saratoga and the entire Capital Region is an ideal area for lacrosse teams and their families to travel for a weekend of competition that we hope becomes a memorable vacation for them as well,” Powell said. 

Powell, who was on site all weekend with Leveille, pointed out that the event is meant to allow athletes and teams to compete in a non-recruiting environment, offering a more inviting and encouraging opportunity to players who are still new to tournaments or even the game itself. 

On Saturday, athletes took their turn in the Powell Lacrosse Fun Zone, a high-flying, interactive demonstration of eye-popping lacrosse skills led by Powell and with a special guest appearance from his older brother and fellow Syracuse University star, Casey.

On Sunday, Ryan himself greeted each championship squad near tournament headquarters. 

“What’s your favorite kind of ship?” a grinning Powell would ask each winning team, young players gazing up at him in awe.

“CHAMPIONSHIP.”

And the celebration was on for the victorious squads, as families gathered around for team photos. In what’s becoming a #FNDURSUMT tradition, some clubs slapped team decals on a Yeti Tundra Haul Hard Cooler keeping items cold at all Summit Lacrosse Ventures events this summer. 

The fourth stop on the #FNDURSMT Tour presented by Gait Lacrosse, Leveille considers this year’s Saratoga Shootout another testament to the Summit Lacrosse Society and its efforts to instill the values of camaraderie, competition and respect in all event attendees. 

“We want to run the best possible events and offer the best experience for our attendees and their families,” Leveille said. “In order to do that, we strive to make sure participants understand that this game is special and that playing it is an opportunity to be cherished.” 

Below is a rundown of each divisional champion at the 2022 Saratoga Shootout, presented by Gait Lacrosse:

Boys 2023: Cold Brook Lacrosse 2023
Boys 2024-2025: Upstate Rebels
Boys 14U 2026-2027 Gold: Jersey Thunder Lacrosse Central 2026
Boys 14U 2026-2027 Silver: Edge Lacrosse Canada
Boys 12U 2028-2029 Gold: Stars and Stripes National 2028
Boys 12U 2028-2029 Silver: Adirondack Timberwolves 5/6
Boys 10U 2030-2031: Jersey Thunder Lacrosse West 2030-2031

Check out photos of the Saratoga Shootout, including each of the championship teams, via the Summit Lacrosse Ventures Facebook page, and mark your calendars for next year’s Saratoga Shootout, slated for June 24 and 25, 2023. 

Be sure to use the hashtag #FNDURSUMT to follow Summit Lacrosse Ventures and our partners as we trek across the country hosting a total of ten different events this summer.

About Summit Lacrosse Ventures

In 2015, Summit Lacrosse Ventures LLC (SLV) combined two leading lacrosse event management and marketing companies, Lake Placid Lacrosse (Established 1991) and WomensLax.com LLC (Established 2008), into a single entity which has built upon existing events and programs, and pursued new development opportunities. Industry professionals with 30+ years of experience across all levels of the sport, we are passionate about delivering first-class events in desirable locations, creating valuable experiences for our participants, and building a lifelong community of passionate individuals who share our ideals of competition, respect, and camaraderie. SLV operates 12+ events nationwide.

About Rhino Lacrosse

Rhino Lacrosse was founded in 2005 in Portland, Oregon, by professional lacrosse player and instructor Ryan Powell. Ryan was the first fully endorsed Nike lacrosse athlete. In 2010, he was captain of Team USA when they won the Gold in the FIL World Lacrosse Championship. He is also a repeat MLL and NLL All-star and MVP and Syracuse University legend, earning the NCAA championship title as a player in 2000. As a coach, he assisted Syracuse University in winning another NCAA championship in 2004. Since his years at Syracuse, Ryan has dedicated himself to becoming the world’s premiere lacrosse educator.