Local News |

Lake Forest defense welcomes recovery of Harry Larson

In the athletic life of Harry Larson, there are two sports. The commonality between football and lacrosse is defense.

The Lake Forest senior plays on the lacrosse team’s back line. A stout 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Larson has the size to bump attackers off their stride. But his brain is as useful as his brawn.

“There are a lot who can play defense, but in our system, you have to anticipate,” Lake Forest coach Marc Thiergart said. “Our system is anticipating the next pass and reacting to what the other team’s offense is doing. The smarter the guys, the better for our team. (Larson) has high lacrosse IQ.”

As a starting linebacker for the football team, Larson learned discipline that is useful when following a lacrosse system.

“We have slide packages where you have to know how to move in on a guy, When someone gets beat, the next guy cycles over, drops in and picks up his man,” Larson said. “It’s like a dime package in football, where you have four safeties across and two underneath.”

The similarities between football and lacrosse are an advantage for Larson. But it was by no means a certainty he’d be on the field this spring.

He tore the labrum in his left shoulder during football season, leading to surgery in November. Doctors told Larson his recovery time would be 4 to 6 months.

“I knew I had a fast turnaround,” Larson said, as lacrosse season began in March.

As soon as he was granted permission, Larson began an aggressive rehabilitation program. Every other day he worked out at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Highland Park. Larson rapidly went from bouncing balls against a wall to pushing a sled with his surgically repaired shoulder. On days he wasn’t in Highland Park, he was in Lake Forest’s East Campus gym, strengthening his shoulder using kettle ball weights.

Larson realized early that the only way to meet his March deadline was to ignore pain.

“Instead of taking it easy when it was sore, I pushed through it,” Larson said.

The shoulder felt strong enough for him to participate in open gyms before March. By March 15, Larson was given full clearance for all lacrosse drills. That meant hitting, and to a defensive player, that’s akin to unlocking a cookie jar for a toddler.

From the first game, a 14-4 win over Mundelein on March 17, Larson has anchored the defense.

“He’s looking good,” senior attacker Matt Clifford said. “He’s very quick and fast and has that tenacity. All the qualities you want back there.”

Larson added: “The shoulder feels good. There’s no soreness. I’m finally getting the rust out.”

After being a Illinois High School Lacrosse Association Class A semifinal team in 2015, the Scouts are off to another hot start. They have outscored opponents 43-10 in winning their first three games. Larson is one of four captains, the others being Clifford and seniors Mac Altounian (midfield) and Mitch Salanty (midfield). Junior Colton Johnson is another impact offensive player.

But before the Scouts start their offense, they have to stop the opposition. And a healthy Larson can now optimize his astute lacrosse mind to achieve that goal.

“I learned I can push myself and have no barriers,” Larson said. “If this team keeps building, we can be a state powerhouse.”

Jon J. Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

Twitter: @prepspioneer