Kendrick Rodgers, Zach Whaley and Drew Iarussi signed Letters of Intent to play lacrosse at the collegiate level. (Photo by Eric Lloyd)
April 25 was a memorable day at Westerville North High School because that is when three outstanding athletes signed Letters of Intent to play lacrosse at the collegiate level. Friends, family members, teammates, coaches, teachers and administrators gathered in the gallery to watch and celebrate as Drew Iarussi committed to Muskingum; Kendrick Rodgers pledged to play for Otterbein University; and Zach Whaley signed on at Capital University.
Drew Iarussi was active in Boy Scouts and participated in multiple sports growing up, including flag football, Little League baseball, cross-country, rec and club soccer, and lacrosse – which he has played since third grade. He ran and lettered in cross-country his freshman and sophomore years. In lacrosse, Iarussi is a four-year letter winner and team captain, and received a Coaches Award in his sophomore year. He has played club lacrosse for the last two summers and participated in box lacrosse for three winters. He is also active in Westerville North Young Life, and has coached and officiated lacrosse at the youth level. Iarussi will continue his academic and lacrosse career at Muskingum University in the fall.
Kendrick Rodgers was introduced to lacrosse in the seventh grade, describing himself as “possibly the worst player on the team.” After his first year, he contemplated quitting, but was persuaded by his teammates to continue playing. Over the years, he has progressively gained skills and confidence on the lacrosse field and his path has led him to Otterbein University, where he will play lacrosse and study mechanical engineering. For the past four years, Rodgers has focused on his studies and applied myself in Physics, which resulted in earning an Academic Excellence award. When he is not studying or on the field practicing, he volunteers at the Columbus Metropolitan Library in the Reading Buddies program. He also partakes in volunteer opportunities offered through his employer, Kroger, by donating time and support for nonprofit organizations like St. Stephens Christmas Cares, and the UNCF Walk for Education.
Zack Whaley, a senior at Westerville North, will play lacrosse at Capital University. He began playing lacrosse in the sixth grade through the Westerville Lacrosse Club. He lettered in lacrosse all four years and also earned three letters in football. During the last two summers, he played lacrosse for Resolute. Whaley is also a member of the WALT program and is a two-year Lacrosse Team Captain.