Senior Oliver Madison has been on varsity lacrosse since his freshman year. Over those four years, the lacrosse team has grown into an NCS championship squad under the tutelage of coach David Grose and assistant Patrick Brown.

“We transformed from being top 30 to being third in California,” said Madison, the starting goalie. “They came in and got rid of the party culture and weed-smoking culture to really instill hard work and stick work.”

Last year, the coaches began training a few weeks before official practices started. After the success of last year, the coaches decided to continue preseason training this year.

The majority of varsity members began working out with Stein Skaar, a certified cross-fit five weeks ago. The team would work out five days a week for one hour at Redwood.

According to Madison, Skaar is expected to come and work out with the team occasionally throughout the season.

Grose credited the leadership and motivation of this year’s seniors, saying they have set the bar high for the rest of the team.

“This is a special group. They’re working their butts off,” Grose said.

The team is ready to kick off this season on the new turf Ghilloti Field, which it helped fundraise for this off-season.

Senior Liam Bourke, another four-year varsity player, has committed to the University of Michigan for lacrosse but has kept his focus on his last high school season with a lofty set of goals: beat Saint Ignatius, win MCALs, and win NCS.

No Marin team has ever beaten St. Ignatius, one of the best high school lacrosse teams on the West Coast. Redwood came close last year, losing 11-10 in overtime after giving up the tying goal in the final seconds of regulation.