By Devan Mighton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
Regina, SK is a 24-hour drive from the Windsor-Essex region. By car, travelling through the United States, your odometer would tick off about 2,300 kilometres.
For three local lacrosse players, members of the Windsor Warlocks minor lacrosse association, that road-less-travelled was the path to glory as members of Team Ontario Lacrosse.
From Aug. 11-17, 46 youth teams from across Canada, representing the 10 provinces from coast-to-coast, and representatives of the First Nations, partook in a tournament to determine who sat atop the world of box lacrosse at the Canadian National Lacrosse Championships.
Three athletes, Hudson Dalpe (Under-17), Kayla DeRush, (Women’s Under-22), and Emma Mighton (Women’s Under-15) represented Team Ontario at this tournament after a gruelling tryout process and a series of training camps in Whitby throughout the summer. In the end, their hard work and dedication paid off as they were able to each medal at the event and represent their hometown Windsor Warlocks with distinction.
Overtime Thriller
“Personally, I thought that I did well considering I was playing with some of the best players in Canada—it was very fun to be a part of,” states Hudson, who earned silver at the event. His U17 team was defeated in double overtime by Team British Columbia in the final after sweeping the round robin and semifinal.
“The way they set up the tournament was outstanding,” he says. “Where we stayed was nice and they treated us awesome. The best memory I have from this trip was taking my first shift in the final game. For me, it was looking up in the stands and just taking in the atmosphere and how lucky I was to be a part of something so great.”
Hudson says that his older brothers, Zane and Vance, inspired him to play lacrosse. Watching Zane with his Team Ontario successes years ago and incredible play in junior, senior, and NCAA lacrosse, as well as Vance, a veteran and leader with the local Windsor Clippers Jr. B lacrosse team, helped form his interest in the sport.
“I had a lot of people telling me to go out and give [Team Ontario] a shot—so I did,” explains Hudson, who was just named Warlocks Player of the Year for the 2024 season. “I stayed hopeful throughout the tryouts and played to the best of my abilities and was fortunate enough to play for this team.”
Hudson, who scored a goal and three assists at Nationals, says that he has his Warlocks coaches, over the years, to thank for his success and that he would like to thank his Team Ontario coaches, which include LaSalle resident and head coach John Rosa, for giving him the chance of a lifetime.
“Lastly, I want to thank my family because I would not be here without them,” he adds.
Nail-biting Finish
“I’ll never forget the feeling of realizing that I’m playing with some of the best female lacrosse players in Ontario,” explains Emma Mighton, goalie for the Team Ontario U15 team.
Grateful to meet new people her age and make new friends, while taking in an unfamiliar province, Emma is a veteran of the event, having won gold last year against BC in overtime in the same city.
This year, her team did not have the same fate. Emma, with a 1.07 goals against average in five games, plus a shutout, helped her team sweep the round robin. The team struggled against a motivated Team Saskatchewan squad in the semis, but still pulled off the win.
In a rematch of the 2023 final, Ontario fell to BC. Tied 2-2 going into the third, BC took an early lead in the frame and held the lead until the end in what was a high-shooting and exciting match-up.
“I thought it went really well, especially during the first few games,” stated the Windsor native. “My teammates and coaches were all extremely supportive and helpful. It was truly an honour playing for coach Pat [Jones]. I really enjoyed playing for the team.”
For Emma, who is 14, the event allowed her to explore parts of Canada unseen and appreciate her vast native land.
“I will always remember looking out the window of the plane and seeing the vast landscape of Saskatchewan, and seeing how different it looks from Ontario—completely flat and covered with slightly different coloured farmland and small patches of trees as far as I can see.”
Mighton, who was recently named Warlocks U15 co-MVP in men’s lacrosse, decided to try-out and play for Team Ontario to test herself and to represent her family and the Warlocks organization.
“Lacrosse has always been a major part of my life,” something she shares with her, “friends, family, and teammates, and I just love playing lacrosse in general,” she explains. “I would love to thank my family, friends, teammates, coaches, the Warlocks, and everyone who ever thought I could make it this far.”
Finishing with a big win
Kayla DeRush and the Team Ontario U22 team finished their round robin in third with an even record, including big wins over Manitoba and Saskatchewan. However, a semi-final loss to BC relegated her team to the bronze medal game.
Not to be denied, Kayla and co. demolished the tournament hosts with a 15-1 win to cement a podium finish.
“I think the tournament went pretty well, obviously not exactly the medal we wanted but still very happy that we were able to get a medal,” says Kayla. “All the girls got along and we definitely bonded as a team very well. It was certainly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”
The Windsor native says that the friendships forged through playing as part of a team helps inspire her to play. “[They are] who I can call family and help me learn life lessons while also staying active. Anytime I’m having a bad day, lacrosse helps the day get more enjoyable because I have a blast doing it, especially when I’m learning new moves or tricks.”
Kayla says that she wanted to go for the experience, but also to experience different coaching viewpoints to learn more about the game and positioning. “I also went because some of the best lacrosse players in Ontario were going to be there and they may be able to help me develop more as a person and as a player.”
At a tournament like this, far from home, the experiences gained aren’t purely on the floor.
“I will, first off, never forget how well everyone got along between the girls and the coaching staff,” states Kayla. “I will remember the massive jack rabbits that I saw on campus. Having a movie night in one of the classrooms and having fun every night. For this being my first year, I will forever remember this team.”
“I would like to thank the Team Ontario coaches for giving me a chance and giving me the opportunity to be on this team, and all the girls for welcoming me onto the team. My family for paying for this, because I know it’s a lot of money. Also, to my Warlocks family. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to even go tryout. Finally, to my dad (Coach Dave DeRush) who introduced me to this game and I am forever grateful for that.
“To my other coaches, thank you for believing in me and for pushing me to go above my limits to help develop my skills for lacrosse. To my teammates, thank you for always being there for me and cheering me on. I am who I am today because of you guys. Love all you guys.”
First time in a long time
It appears that the 2024 season is the first time in at least 11 years that the Warlocks have sent three players to Nationals. The last time, in 2013, featured some big names—Noah Bushnell, Patrick Kaschalk, and a young Brayden Mayea.
“It’s a great accomplishment for all the Warlocks to be selected for Team Ontario, and inspiring and encouraging for our younger players to see the opportunities available if they put in the work,” states Warlocks’ president Jerry Kavanaugh. “To get through the rigorous tryout process is a testament to Emma, Hudson, and Kayla’s work ethic, commitment, and passion for the sport of lacrosse. As an organization, we couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments.”
Good work and congratulations to Hudson, Emma, and Kayla.
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