Jaguar Lacrosse History
The Jaguar Lacrosse team is a high school club based in Overland Park, Kansas. Originally competing in the Missouri Scholastic Lacrosse Association (MSLA), the Jaguars currently participate in and are founding members of the Lacrosse Association of Kansas Schools (LAKS) and Lacrosse Association.
Jaguar Lacrosse was formed in January 2002, lead by Eric Olson with the help of parents and players. For their inaugural season, the Jaguars had a total of 42 players ranging in grade from 8th – 12th, with varying skill levels. Their final record of 4-8 was deceiving, with 4 of the losses coming in overtime or by 2 goals or less. In 2003, the Jaguars competed for the first time at the Varsity level. This meant an expanded schedule versus other MSLA teams, including games in St. Louis and Columbia. Large strides have been made over the past 9 seasons, including establishing a website (www.jaglacrosse.com) and a year-end banquet for the team.
2005 led the Jaguars to the playoffs for the first time. As the 2005 Far West Conference Champions, the Jags hosted Clayton in first round play-off action. After a thrilling 3rd overtime victory, West traveled to St. Louis and lost to the eventual MSLA Champion MICDS. It marked the first time a Kansas School reached the 2nd round of the play-offs. In 2006, the Jaguars won their second straight Far West Conference title and hosted Christian Brothers in the playoffs.
2008 marked the inaugural season of Lacrosse Association of Kansas (LAKS). That season, the Jaguars went undefeated (15-0) and captured the Kansas High School Lacrosse State Title, defeating Olathe in the championship game.
In 2012, the Lacrosse Association of Kansas City (LAKC) was formed, merging the LAKS with Missouri Metro schools. In 2016, the Jags played in the LAKC Championship game against Shawnee Mission East, finishing the season as runner-up.
The Coaches for Jaguar Lacrosse are Head Coach Ward Kinne, Associate Varsity Head Coach Matt Kimsey, and Head JV Coach Paul Morizzo. Past coaches have been Matt Kimsey, Jason Ford, Matt Ruemker, Scot Nichols, Jeremy Dietz, Dusty Kilgore, Luke Lentz, Ryan Henrich, Tyler Neighbors, Dan Britton and Seth Matlock. Olson was named Kansas Coach of the Year by the US Lacrosse Men's Division Coaches Council in 2005 and Man of the Year in 2009.
