Leadership abounds in boys lacrosse

One thing certain about the 2025 Warwick Valley High School boys lacrosse program:there’s no shortage of leadership on the roster.

The Wildcats have five senior captains: Darren Vogt (committed to St. John Fisher), Aidan Corbalis (committed to SUNY Geneseo), Dylan Sullivan (committed to the United States Merchant Marine Academy),

Ryan Sullivan (committed to the United States Merchant Marine Academy) and Joey Finn (committed to SUNY Maritime).

“Warwick lacrosse chooses team captains based on a team vote,’’ head coach Tom Kelly said. “These players were selected by their peers. Had the coaches chosen captains, it would’ve been these same five.

“They bring positive energy, are role models within the community and are very well respected by their peers. They all embody ‘Cats lacrosse in their everyday decisions both on and off the field.’’

Each captain has earned extraordinary statistics in the sport during his career at Warwick Valley.

“Dylan Sullivan just hit 200 points, 100-plus goals, 100-plus assists (led the team in points as a sophomore and junior, All Section as a sophomore and junior, offensive MVP as a junior),’’ Kelly said.

Darren Vogt just hit 200 points, 100-plus goals, 100-plus assists (All Section as a sophomore and junior, highest scoring midfielder in school history, offensive team MVP as a sophomore). Joey Finn has 100-plus goals (All Section as a sophomore and junior).

“Ryan Sullivan has 100-plus goals (All Section as a sophomore and junior). Aidan Corbalis was Defensive MVP as a sophomore, All Section as a sophomore and junior, averaging 5.5 ground balls a game and four takeaways a game.’’

All five captains are very strong academically.

“Joey Finn is a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete 2024, High Honor Roll and President of the Chess Club,’’ Kelly said. “Darren Vogt has a 4.0 GPA, is a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete, High Honor Roll and National Honor Society. Ryan Sullivan is a 2024 US Army Scholar Athlete All-American, National Honor Society, Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish Language, Warwick Valley Central School District Rising Star Award, AP Scholar, Math Honor Society, High Honor Roll, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete and NYSPHSAA Leadership Conference Section IX Representative.

“Dylan Sullivan is a member of the National Honor Society, earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, recognized as a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete in multiple seasons for football and lacrosse, 4.0 GPA, Superintendents Spotlight, Represented Section IX at the NYSPHSAA Leadership Conference in Albany. Aidan Corbalis is on the High Honor Roll and National Honor Society.’’

Coach Kelly enjoys the positive influences that the captains have on their teammates.

“Within practice they lead by example,’’ Kelly said. “On ‘full speed’ days they are pushing the tempo and pushing their peers to work as hard as possible. On ‘IQ days’ they are retaining everything and making sure guys are held accountable and dialed in.

“On top of practice, these guys have also been fantastic at our youth events. So far this season we’ve had our Altogether Practice and our Fun Run to start the season. Both events had Warwick lacrosse players K-12 involved. We are only able to do events like these because our captains and upperclassmen are such great role models.’’

The Wildcats are in the mist of a tremendous season and they are scheduled to host Washingtonville on Friday, May 16.

“This group of players and families has been such a staple to Warwick lacrosse for such a long time, they truly are the lifeline of the program right now,’’ Kelly said. “As a group they’ve been going all over the northeast for lacrosse tournaments since fifth grade. This past fall we did an overnight in Pennsylvania for two tournaments. We can only do these things because our players and families are so invested in the program.’’