IN THE NEWS
7.14.21 - Rand Paddack Named All-American
Palatine goalie Rand Paddack was a beast in the net this year and helped set numerous program records along the way to become the Pirates first USA Lacrosse All-American winner.
“It’s a big deal,” Palatine coach Chris Gantz said. “That just doesn’t happen in the MSL too often (an All-American selection). He’s had a storied career, to be honest. The (All-American) list is usually New Trier and Loyola kids, as it should be. So to have the votes come out this way (for Rand) is really big for a kid from Palatine.”
Paddack was a first team All-State selection as well as he made 330 saves this season as Palatine went a program-best 14-4 overall. The Pirates also won their first playoff game ever.
“I think we turned some heads this year,” Gantz said.
Paddack will play NCAA Division I lacrosse at Bryant University (Smithfield, RI) next season. A talented athlete overall, he was a star on the football team as well, earning MSL West Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors this year.
Lacrosse legend Casey Powell, who coaches Paddack outside of the high school season with Team ONE in Glenview, had nothing but high praise for the goalie. Powell said on Twitter about Paddack: “Best goalie in Illinois. Great stopper, quick as a cat, explosive, competitive and a great kid.”
Coming from a player who is considered one of the greatest lacrosse players ever, that’s some high praise.
Gantz said Paddack was surprised by the news that he was an All-American, but Gantz said he was more than deserving.
Being an All-American in your sport is something that stays with you for life, Gantz said. It means you were truly one of the best in your sport.
Paddack started throughout his high school career, helping build the Palatine program over the last few years before helping the team breakout this year. As a sophomore in 2019 he was a participant in the U.S. National Team Development Program, one of just three from Illinois (Palatine’s Peter Russchenberg and Glenbrook North’s Cade Bauer were the others) to be invited. Paddack just missed making the team, finishing third (only top two made it).
Gantz said players like Paddack are rare in the area. A true, elite Division I level player.
After not being able to play with Palatine in 2020 because COVID-19 canceled the IHSA season, Paddack and the rest of the state lost a year of development, not just skill wise, but leadership wise. This year he was able to flex his leadership muscle to help Palatine achieve more than it ever has before.
Palatine went from winning 8 games all season in 2019, to winning 8 games in a row at one point this season.
“I always say your goalie should be your best athlete on your team,” Gantz said. “Rand is a true, pure athlete and it shows in whatever sport he plays.”
Paddack is also able to advance down the field when the Pirates are on the attack. As much as it agitated Gantz to see him away from the net, he was always able to get back to the goal when needed. He even scored a goal again this season, which isn’t an easy feat for a goalie.
“He is by far the best goalie and I’d say overall best lacrosse player we’ve had,” Gantz said. “His numbers are great. He’s done everything he can.”
He proved his greatness with 64 saves over two playoff games. Don’t be surprised if you see Rand Paddack’s name down the road accomplishing great things. Gantz sure won’t be.
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/usa-lacrosse-2021-all-americans/
Palatine goalie Rand Paddack was a beast in the net this year and helped set numerous program records along the way to become the Pirates first USA Lacrosse All-American winner.
“It’s a big deal,” Palatine coach Chris Gantz said. “That just doesn’t happen in the MSL too often (an All-American selection). He’s had a storied career, to be honest. The (All-American) list is usually New Trier and Loyola kids, as it should be. So to have the votes come out this way (for Rand) is really big for a kid from Palatine.”
Paddack was a first team All-State selection as well as he made 330 saves this season as Palatine went a program-best 14-4 overall. The Pirates also won their first playoff game ever.
“I think we turned some heads this year,” Gantz said.
Paddack will play NCAA Division I lacrosse at Bryant University (Smithfield, RI) next season. A talented athlete overall, he was a star on the football team as well, earning MSL West Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors this year.
Lacrosse legend Casey Powell, who coaches Paddack outside of the high school season with Team ONE in Glenview, had nothing but high praise for the goalie. Powell said on Twitter about Paddack: “Best goalie in Illinois. Great stopper, quick as a cat, explosive, competitive and a great kid.”
Coming from a player who is considered one of the greatest lacrosse players ever, that’s some high praise.
Gantz said Paddack was surprised by the news that he was an All-American, but Gantz said he was more than deserving.
Being an All-American in your sport is something that stays with you for life, Gantz said. It means you were truly one of the best in your sport.
Paddack started throughout his high school career, helping build the Palatine program over the last few years before helping the team breakout this year. As a sophomore in 2019 he was a participant in the U.S. National Team Development Program, one of just three from Illinois (Palatine’s Peter Russchenberg and Glenbrook North’s Cade Bauer were the others) to be invited. Paddack just missed making the team, finishing third (only top two made it).
Gantz said players like Paddack are rare in the area. A true, elite Division I level player.
After not being able to play with Palatine in 2020 because COVID-19 canceled the IHSA season, Paddack and the rest of the state lost a year of development, not just skill wise, but leadership wise. This year he was able to flex his leadership muscle to help Palatine achieve more than it ever has before.
Palatine went from winning 8 games all season in 2019, to winning 8 games in a row at one point this season.
“I always say your goalie should be your best athlete on your team,” Gantz said. “Rand is a true, pure athlete and it shows in whatever sport he plays.”
Paddack is also able to advance down the field when the Pirates are on the attack. As much as it agitated Gantz to see him away from the net, he was always able to get back to the goal when needed. He even scored a goal again this season, which isn’t an easy feat for a goalie.
“He is by far the best goalie and I’d say overall best lacrosse player we’ve had,” Gantz said. “His numbers are great. He’s done everything he can.”
He proved his greatness with 64 saves over two playoff games. Don’t be surprised if you see Rand Paddack’s name down the road accomplishing great things. Gantz sure won’t be.
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/usa-lacrosse-2021-all-americans/
8.1.18 - Head Lacrosse Coach Named For PHS
August 1, 2018 - The new Boys Lacrosse Head Coach for Palatine High School was named this week. Chris Gantz will take over the Pirate Lacrosse Program for the 2019 Spring season. Lacrosse is a passion for Coach Gantz with his start in high school at Glenbrook North(Northbrook) and then at the University of Illinois.
Coach Gantz returned to Glenbrook North High School to coach lacrosse for 5 years until moving out to the NW suburbs with his wife and two children. His most recent coaching experience was at neighboring Fremd High School, where is coached multiple levels for the Vikings since 2015. Coach Gantz's commitment to the sport of lacrosse has even grown within his family, where he coaches his son's youth team for the Palatine Penguins. Notably, both of Coach Gantz's U8 teams won the 2018 IBLA State Championship in their divisions. Coach Gantz was also brought on as an assistant coach for True Lacrosse in 2018. Coach Gantz brings a history of success from his various coaching positions with multiple high school conference championships and tournament wins in Illinois.
Coach Gantz actually started at U of I in their pilot training program, but began firefighting in college and followed that into an exciting career with the Skokie Fire Department after graduation. Coach Gantz also holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration. Coach Gantz retired from firefighting in 2015 and keeps busy with his fire safety events facility in Schaumburg, called the FireZone.
August 1, 2018 - The new Boys Lacrosse Head Coach for Palatine High School was named this week. Chris Gantz will take over the Pirate Lacrosse Program for the 2019 Spring season. Lacrosse is a passion for Coach Gantz with his start in high school at Glenbrook North(Northbrook) and then at the University of Illinois.
Coach Gantz returned to Glenbrook North High School to coach lacrosse for 5 years until moving out to the NW suburbs with his wife and two children. His most recent coaching experience was at neighboring Fremd High School, where is coached multiple levels for the Vikings since 2015. Coach Gantz's commitment to the sport of lacrosse has even grown within his family, where he coaches his son's youth team for the Palatine Penguins. Notably, both of Coach Gantz's U8 teams won the 2018 IBLA State Championship in their divisions. Coach Gantz was also brought on as an assistant coach for True Lacrosse in 2018. Coach Gantz brings a history of success from his various coaching positions with multiple high school conference championships and tournament wins in Illinois.
Coach Gantz actually started at U of I in their pilot training program, but began firefighting in college and followed that into an exciting career with the Skokie Fire Department after graduation. Coach Gantz also holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration. Coach Gantz retired from firefighting in 2015 and keeps busy with his fire safety events facility in Schaumburg, called the FireZone.
