Chantz headed for Monmouth
BUTLER TWP — You want possession of the ball?
Jared Chantz will take care of it.
The Butler senior won 114 faceoffs last season for the Golden Tornado boys lacrosse team, a fact not lost on Butler coach Trevor Monteleone.
It wasn't lost on college recruiters, either.
“Jared is one of those 'intangible' kind of players,” Monteleone said. “He does all the little things well.
“All that kid does is help a team win.”
Now he's heading to a program coming off a conference championship. Chantz recently signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and lacrosse career at Monmouth University in New Jersey.
The Hawks are coming off an 8-3 season — resulting in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title — and their first winning season since 2017, when they also won the MAAC crown.
Chantz also considered Wagner, Frostburg State and Baldwin Wallace before deciding on Monmouth. He plans to major in education.
“My goals down the road are to be a guidance counselor and coach lacrosse,” Chantz said. “I definitely want to stay involved in the game when I'm done playing.”
Of course, that won't be for a while yet.
Chantz previously attended Kiski Prep before playing for Butler the past two years as a faceoff specialist. He plays club lacrosse for the True organization in Pittsburgh.
“Playing there took my game to another level,” Chantz said.
He said he opted for Monmouth because “it's near the beach, a beautiful campus with a lacrosse program that suits my skill set.”
Carrying a 4.12 grade point average in high school, Chantz said he took to lacrosse as his sport of choice because of the many aspects of the game.
“There's a basketball influence there, soccer, hockey, it's like a bunch of sports rolled into one,” he said.
Besides his faceoff ability, Chantz compiled 42 ground balls last season for the Tornado. He scored five goals and led the team with 27 assists.
“He's one of the best all-around players in Western Pennsylvania,” Monteleone said. “Faceoffs are anticipation and aggressiveness. Jared has a knack for that part of the game.”
Brian Fisher has been Monmouth's head coach for eight seasons. His career record is 48-55.
The Hawks' 2022 roster has 19 seniors among its 52 players, giving Chantz a shot at cracking the starting lineup as a freshman.
HIs on-field goals are a little more modest.
“Hopefully, I earn a starting position by my junior year,” Chantz said. “My No. 1 goal is to get a good education.”
“He's going to earn playing time,” Monteleone said. “Jared's versatile skills and his desire to excel as a player will get him there.”
