Kyle Jackson attained a series of firsts for the University of Michigan men's field lacrosse club this season.
The Sarnia Pacers alumni has been named an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) first-team conference all-star, and late last month was chosen conference Player of the Week after scoring five goals in a 19-10 victory over Pittsburgh's Robert Morris University.
Neither had been accomplished before by a Wolverine player in the two-year history of the program in Ann Arbor.
The five-goal outburst was also a Michigan team record for goals in a game.
"When we recruited him we knew he was going to be one of our best players," said Maze and Blue men's lacrosse coach John Paul.
"He has a very high lacrosse IQ."
Jackson was the seventh-ranked recruit in Canada when he made the decision to attend Michigan while studying at the Vaughan-based Hill Academy, a private school for student-athletes.
The Sarnia native, who began playing lacrosse at the age of three, also played several seasons of Junior “A” lacrosse in Kitchener-Waterloo, where he was among the top scorers for the Braves.
Following up his conference rookie of the year season in 2012-13, Jackson was second in goals (24), points (29) and shots (78) for the 5-11 Wolverines this season.
Unfortunately, with his family in attendance, he was held off the score sheet in a 12-5 loss to top-ranked Fairfied University in Michigan's first-ever appearance in the ECAC post-season tournament, ending the season for the Wolverines.
As the young Michigan program progresses, Coach Paul wants the team's offense built more around his talented midfielder.
"He'll continue to be our team leader for his two remaining years of eligibility," said Paul.
- Barry Wright