Meet Andrew Gryzenia | The 4-Star LSM Headed to Notre Dame
Like football, lacrosse has many positions, each vital to the overall team function.
The long stick midfielder (LSM for short) is an often forgotten, but essential position. The LSM allows teams to maximize the number of long sticks on the field. It also adds a dynamic playmaker to the ground ball and fast-break game. The LSM position requires high levels of athletic ability and awareness.
2025 Michigan LSM Andrew Gryzenia is headed to South Bend after committing to Notre Dame. Inside Lacrosse has Gryzenia as a four-star, making him one of the top LSMs for the Class of 2025.
The Irish’s recent success helped Gryzenia choose Notre Dame over other schools.
“The elite lacrosse program,” Gryzenia states. “Winning back-to-back National Championships, I love the coaching staff and how the program runs.”
For Gryzenia, the decision wasn’t all that difficult in the end.
“It was pretty easy,” says Gryzenia. “I planned to go on some other visits. But after visiting Notre Dame, I told the other coaches, ‘Sorry, I'm just gonna commit.’ And, I committed right after my first visit to Notre Dame.”
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Gryzenia plans to continue playing the all-important LSM position at Notre Dame but will also play regular defense if need be.
“I thought it was just going to be LSM,” explains Gryzenia. “I'm also pretty sure Notre Dame watched me play close (defense), and they liked me. They have an awesome LSM right now, Will Donovan, so he'll be a senior there and a good guy to learn from.”
Gryzenia already learned plenty from former Detroit County Day School teammate and current University of Michigan defenseman Ryan Lyngklip.
“I was a freshman and he was a senior,” says Gryzenia. “I learned a lot from him as a freshman, and he took me under his wing and taught me a lot about how to play defense.”
Gryzenia started playing the sport in fourth grade.
“One of my best friend’s dad ran a program called Sting,” he recalls. “He asked me to play, and I started playing with the guys, and I fell in love with it.”
To all the young defensemen aspiring to play in college, Gryzenia offered some advice.
“If you're a defenseman, definitely do footwork,” says Gryzenia. “I think footwork is the biggest thing, and that's what changed my game when I started doing footwork every day.”
Gryzenia is excited to join this Notre Dame team.
“Being with the team and the guys,” says Gryzenia. “I just love playing lacrosse and am excited about playing with Notre Dame.”
Notre Dame should be excited to have such a dynamic player headed their way.
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