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Wood, who plays for the Waubonsie Valley Lacrosse Club, became the first junior in the state of Illinois to ever commit to a high-powered Division I men’s lacrosse team. He gave his commitment to perennial power Virginia.

Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley Jr. Attacker Zach Wood

Metea Valley junior Zach Wood had his eyes on a dream for the longest time.

“I wanted to play big-time Division I lacrosse,” says Wood, who led the state in scoring his first two years, going over the 100-point mark in each campaign.

And he’s going to do just that. Wood, who plays for the Waubonsie Valley Lacrosse Club, became the first junior in the state of Illinois to ever commit to a high-powered Division I men’s lacrosse team. He gave his commitment to perennial power Virginia.

“It’s a big dream come true for me,” he said. “My dad played at the Naval Academy and lacrosse has always kind of been in the family.”

But Wood, who plays club for Elmhurst-based True Lacrosse, readily admits his bags would not be packed for Charlottesville if it had not been for his involvement in the sport outside of high school.

“The club part of lacrosse is probably the biggest part of the recruiting process,” he says. “High school is great to play and it’s competitive, but if it wasn’t for club, I wouldn’t have been recruited. The club scene has really made things more competitive. Club teams are picking kids from all over the state and these clubs are going out to the East Coast to play high-powered teams. Club has helped the sport get more serious in Illinois. It’s changed for the better.”

The club component is one of several wrinkles that have helped the sport continue to gain a foothold in popularity not only in the local area, but in the Midwest region as well

Read more: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110317/sports/703179699/#ixzz1GzUWT8pb