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Many varsity lacrosse teams are adjusting to the transition from club level. Coaches say short-term pain isworth the long-term gain.
By Hank Long, Special to the Star Tribune
Last update: April 03, 2007 – 8:19 AM

As she was in the midst of running her players through a week of tryouts before the official start of the state high school league lacrosse season, coach Kristen Opalinski recalled the strides the Mounds View girls' lacrosse program has made since it began as a co-op club team with Irondale seven years ago.

"I remember my very first practice with the team," she said. "I asked the girls what sort of drills they ran in practice. They said, 'Coach, we usually just throw the ball around a little bit and then do some sunbathing.'

"We've come pretty far since then."

Last year Opalinski coached the co-op North Suburban Lady Spartans to a state title in the Northcentral Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association.

That success led the Mounds View district to allow both Irondale and Mounds View high schools to field teams this year in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).

Opalinksi said earning official varsity status is something the program had been building up to since its inception.

"We know there will be some bumps in the road during this transition, but it's been wonderful to see the program blossom," she said.