Thornton Academy senior Wyatt LeBlanc and his family are all smiles after he signed his National Letter of Intent to play men’s lacrosse for Division II Bentley University. Joining LeBlanc were his parents, MJ and Shannon, his sister Paige and brother Ethan. PAT McDONALD/Journal Tribune
SACO — The lobby of Linnell Gymnasium was packed on Monday morning as Thornton Academy senior Wyatt LeBlanc was set to sign his National Letter of Intent to play lacrosse at the next level.
While LeBlanc has been a standout athlete for the Trojans, both Athletic Director Gary Stevens and TA head lacrosse coach Ryan Hersey made sure to focus as much on the senior’s big heart and integrity as they did his ability on the field — and the large crowd was proof of the kind of impact LeBlanc has made during his time at Thornton.
“There’s never a moment where he is taking a break. There’s never a moment where he’s doing the wrong thing. He is the true definition of a team player,” said Hersey of LeBlanc. “He’s always doing the right thing. He’s always leading by example — both in the classroom and on the field. He just has a very high level of integrity and (his teammates) have to work harder because of it.”
LeBlanc will be taking his talent and tireless work ethic to Division II Bentley University next year to play for the Falcons’ lacrosse team.
“They are getting somebody that’s going to do anything that he can to get on the field,” said Hersey. “He’s going to have to work, but at the same time somebody that is as coachable as he is, I think they’re going to have a hard time not finding a place for him.”
LeBlanc, who also played football and unified basketball for TA, had a long journey to signing day — including spending his entire senior football season on the sideline as he recovered from hip surgery.
“I got the surgery in July, so I had to miss football, but every day I went in with the mindset at (Southern Maine Health Care’s Sports Performance Center) just trying to get better and I worked every day just grinded through it,” said LeBlanc, who tore his labrum as a sophomore but played through the pain as long as possible. “I played with it ever since then and it got to the point where I couldn’t play.”
The future Bentley midfielder admitted that there were moments when he got discouraged, but TA assistant coach and SPC Director Mike Hersey helped him battle through those tough times.
“There were a couple days when I wasn’t feeling so hot when Mike (Hersey) would remind me ‘hey, you’re going to be back better than ever for lacrosse,’ and that’s really what kept me going,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc not only made it back in time for lacrosse season, but the senior has helped the Trojans get off to an incredible 8-0 start.
“This year it’s been crazy. I don’t think we’ve ever had a start as good as this. To be 8-0 right now, sitting where we are — I think second in the (Varsity Maine) power rankings, first in Heal Points — it’s a great way to have your senior year go,” said LeBlanc. “As far as what I want us to accomplish, I think every team wants to accomplish the goal of winning the state championship and it would be our first in program history so that would be really cool.”
LeBlanc believes Thornton Academy’s talented roster has not only made his job easier, but proven to be too much for every team the Trojans have faced up to this point.
“We have eight or nine guys that can score at any time. We have so many different weapons and it really opens up the game for you and makes it easier for everyone because you can’t defend just one person, you have to defend everyone,” LeBlanc said.
Monday’s ceremony was obviously special for LeBlanc, but it was also a milestone for Hersey.
“It’s my first one, a player of ours in the nine years that I’ve been coaching, that’s signed one of these letters so I think it’s special for us and he’s exactly the person that we want signing this letter,” said Hersey. “He is a great representative of Thornton Academy boys lacrosse. We are proud that he’s able to go on to the next level because of all of his effort.”
LeBlanc would love to add some more special memories as the Trojans head toward the playoffs, but no matter what happens he will cherish the time he’s had with the TA lacrosse program.
“Just coming to practice everyday, hanging out with my friends,” said LeBlanc on his favorite memories from TA. “Not necessarily fooling around but just working hard, working together, working toward that common goal. It’s a brotherhood.”
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.
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