The clock hits 0 seconds as the East Boys Lacrosse team rushes the field and drowns out the noise of the buzzer with cheers, securing a win against West in the 2023-24 season. East junior Max Wilcox sprints across the field from his position as goaltender to join the dogpile of teammates celebrating a 7-6 win in this rivalry game on April 25, 2024. A crowning moment of the season, Wilcox knows he is prepared to put in the work to emulate this feeling in his senior season.
Wilcox has been playing lacrosse since he was 5 years old, following in his older brothers’ footsteps. Coached by their father Richard Wilcox, Derek and Jered Wilcox were also goalies their entire lacrosse careers at East and West.
“[Max’s] oldest brother started playing in the fourth grade 15 years ago and it has been a major part of our lives ever since,” Max’s mom, Kelly Wilcox, told Spark. “It has given us wonderful memories and lifelong friendships. Games, tournaments, travel, hotels, dinners, everything that is involved with lacrosse, we have done together as a family. The support Max’s brother[s] and sisters give each other is genuine. They enjoy each other and it is a joy for me to watch.”
Over his four varsity seasons, Max has contributed offensively and defensively to earn him the title of 2x Player of the Game award for the April 9, 2024 game against West for his 16 saves, and the April 27, 2024 game against Pickerington Central for his four ground balls and 26 saves. According to maxpreps.com, Max has 280 saves at a .598 average, with only 8.3 goals allowed per game on average, which is four below the national average.
The role of goaltender in lacrosse is crucial, as they run the defense and protect the net from the opposing offense.
“[Max’s] ability to command the defense and still stop shots has won games for us these past two seasons,” East boys lacrosse head coach, Steven Burkhardt, told Spark. “Max is a player all coaches dream of having since he could play any position on the field at its highest level.”
Burkhardt has been coaching lacrosse for 18 years, seven of those being with East as the head coach. Although Burkhardt knew Max before he could play due to coaching his older brother, Max did not have the opportunity to showcase his goaltending until part of his sophomore season, but Burkhardt knew he would be able to utilize Max on other parts of the field.
“Since Max is a true athlete we knew we needed to have him on the field,” said Burkhardt. “As a freshman Max played varsity as a short stick defensive middle and was the number one player at that position his freshman year. When it was finally his turn to step into the cage as the goalie Max thrived even more.”
The toughest lesson Max has had to learn as a lacrosse player is turning his constructive feedback from coaches into results on the field. With Burkhardt, there is typically a fun banter involved in these conversations.
“We like to get in[to] some arguments,” Max told Spark. “Sometimes we like to see who’s right and who’s wrong, but definitely going to have a strong connection with your coach being a team captain. You know, I’m always with him. He’s always giving me advice. I’m always giving my opinions.”
Max contributes a large portion of his success to his connection with the defense due to their many years playing together. Senior attack players Owen Edkins and Jackson Uhl, as well as junior defensive player Carter Moore, have been playing with Max for over 10 years.
“[My favorite thing about lacrosse is] all the friends that I get to play with,” said Max. “We [have] all grown up with each other, and now that we have all the seniors on varsity, it’s fun to play with all of them.”
Max has always been a focused and energetic player, leading to his position as captain for his senior season, alongside Moore and seniors Nick Tserng and Colin Ferrigan.
“Max is determined. When he finds something he is interested in he gives it 110%,” said Kelly. “I remember when he was younger he woke up one day and decided he wanted to juggle. Next thing I knew the kid could juggle. He didn’t stop until he learned it. That’s the energy he gives to lacrosse. The determination to be the best you can be.”
When Max joined his older brothers in lacrosse, Richard was their first inspiration to be goaltenders and pushed them to find their passion for the sport. Richard gave Max respect for all the hard work he put in, showing him that it is more than just a game.
But, just two years after Max began lacrosse, Richard passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack at the age of 50.
This loss motivated Max to play for his father, and it meant even more for him to be able to get a tattoo with his siblings in memory of Richard. Max got his childhood nickname from his father, ‘peanut,’ tattooed on his right forearm when he was 15 years old.
“I love that they did this together,” said Kelly. “They never need to be reminded of him, but the randomness of the word raises questions and it’s an opportunity for Max to tell his story.”
Whether it is running practice drills or making saves in a game, Max knows everything he has learned has come from someone else.
“I’ve been taught [lacrosse] my whole high school career,” said Max. “We’ve had mentors. You know, we have great kids above us who taught me, like how I should be a leader, and I’ve been a leader since junior year.”
Another part of Max’s role as captain is to be a role model for those younger than him, just like his upperclassmen were for him.
“Especially this year, being the oldest one in the grade, I have to teach the kids,” said Max. “The kids are looking up to me instead of me looking up to [those I looked up to].”
Burkhardt acknowledges and applauds Max’s growth as a player, especially with the knowledge of his history from knowing him much longer than most of his teammates.
“To see how Max has grown as a young man with a phenomenal outlook on life has been [a] pleasure to be a part of and witness,” said Burkhardt. “I cannot wait to see what the future hold[s] for him as I do not see any boundaries that could hold him back from achieving what he has planned for his future.”
Lacrosse has been a formative part of Max’s life, contributing to his abilities as an athlete and his character.
“It gave me something to do, you know?” said Max. “I mean, that’s how I met my friends, that’s how I learned what I like in life. I got to go out and go to practice every day, and even if I didn’t want to, I learned a bunch of lessons about what’s important and what goals I should have in life.”
