Why Mars’ Grant Weaver, USA Lacrosse All-American, is crucial for Planets PIAA run
USA Lacrosse All-American Grant Weaver wasn’t always the standout player people will see in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals against Upper Dublin on Saturday afternoon, June 6.
Picking up the sport in fourth grade, the Mars senior midfielder and Grove City College commit admitted he struggled a lot placing his shots at first.
“I think I got better as time came,” Weaver said Friday of his overall game. “I put in more effort the older I got, and it’s been paying off here.”
It’s shown on the field, as the Planets (16-4) recently collected their 10th consecutive WPIAL title and are fixed on making a state run.
“He’s definitely the guy right now for us,” longtime Mars coach Bob Marcoux said. “And maybe he didn’t come into the season with the big name like an Enzo Grieco or an Austin Cote or Wes Scurci — those guys were big names in the local lacrosse community, but he certainly, this year especially, has earned the respect of all the other coaches.”
Weaver had his fair share of playing time for the Planets, even as a freshman. He said he’s always had a good field IQ, a good part of the reason he broke the program’s assists record during last week’s 15-5 first-round victory over Cocalico.
He’s at 112 and counting heading into the clash with the District 2 runner-up.
“He’s always been a playmaker,” Marcoux said. “He’s always had really good vision, always been gritty between the restraining boxes in the midfield. This year, with the loss of Ian Coulter, we thought we needed a little bit more offensive punch on the attack, so we moved him there, then quickly realized that we needed him all over the field.”
Marcoux describes Weaver, who was unanimously selected as team captain, as “a throwback two-way lacrosse player.” Weaver excels as a short stick defender and on the clear, the latter of which Marcoux said he resembles “a college (football) punt returner. He can weave his way up the field.”
The coach has also seen Weaver raise the level of competition during practices, helping Mars shrug off a slow start. Weaver pointed to the phrase “iron sharpens iron.”
“We knew from my freshman year how Mars got to be how good it is, first, its youth program, and then the practices and how tough they were,” Weaver said.
Weaver is the ninth Planets boys lacrosse player to be recognized nationally.
“I was honored,” Weaver said. “All the hard work that I put in finally showed, and I got recognition for it. ... That’s a small club that I get to be a part of now.”
