Christian Cook will be showing off his patriotism far past July 4th.
The defender will be playing later this month as a long stick midfielder for the Team USA in the International Lacrosse Federation World Championships in London, Ontario.
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Cook said he has wanted to play for Team USA since he started playing lacrosse. “It has been a dream of mine for 17 years,” said Cook, who is a special agent for the U.S. Secret Service. “I consider myself fortunate tobe chosen.”
“Four years ago the tryouts were held and it was either play in the pro league or try out,” Cook said. The Denver native and 1998 Princeton graduate chose to play his second season in the MLL for the New Jersey Pride.
In 2006, the players were given the option to play in the MLL and for Team USA. Cook is the only current member of the Bayhawks on the Team USA roster.
“It was a very difficult tryout,” Cook said. “I did not envy the selection team.” Cook said that of the 120 players trying out for the team, only 23 made the final roster.
Team USA has already played two of its exhibition games before the World Championships open July 13. The final exhibition game will come Thursday in Boston against the MLL All-stars, and Cook will play against Bayhawks? teammates Mark Millon and Shawn Nadelen.
“It is going to be a battle,” Nadelen said. “Both teams know that any player on both squads can easily be on either side of each ball.” Nadelen said that he considered trying out for Team USA, but did not have the time.
“It is a great opportunity to represent your country,” Nadelen said. “Having [Cook] on the defensive end will make them stronger.”
“Hopefully, I am not venturing down to his end of the field too often,” Nadelen added. “He brings so much to the table with the ball in his stick, his one-on-one coverage, and his job off the ball getting his team organized. He is the whole package.”
“We are going to try to hold the ball as much as possible,” Nadelen said. “If we win, we win. It is a great opportunity to play against some of the best guys in the MLL and give them a good test to heading in to Ontario.”
TEAM USA
» The first game for Team USA ended with a 27-2 victory over Ireland on June 25.
» Michael Powell, a member of the Bayhawks? 2005 MLL championship team, combined with his brothers, Ryanand Casey, to score 10 goals in that game.
» Team USA will be playing in the Blue Division in the ILF World Championships against Australia, Canada, England, Iroquois and Japan. The first game for Team USA will be July 14, against Australia.
