Through his own grit and steely determination, Greg Willey has turned himself into a versatile weapon for one of the area's top lacrosse teams.
Willey is a senior for a Chaminade team bound and determined to return to the final four and improve on last season’s 7-7 showing.
Willey, 17, has moved from a defensive middie to more of a two-way middie in hopes of bolstering the Chaminade attack.
“I have worked a lot on my shooting,” Willey said. “I hope to help out the offense a little more.”
Willey has adapted to the change nicely. In the first two games of the season, he leads the team in goals scored. This is no surprise to Chaminade coach Jason Seidel.
“Greg is the hardest-working player I have seen in five years,” Seidel said. “Things are really starting to happen for him.”
At 5-feet-10 and 190 pounds, Willey has lived in the training room seven days a week in the offseason. He's added 15 pounds to his frame.
“He is still very fast,” Seidel said. “We have never had him in a goal-scoring role before, but he is committed to make it work.”
Willey has competed in an assortment of sports, from soccer and cross country to basketball. But lacrosse, a sport he has played since fifth grade, always has been a passion.
“It is an intelligent game,” Willey said. “You have to be smart and be on your toes.”
Willey has been a little late to the game in the recruiting process. The schools that he had eyed up for both academic and athletic purposes have, for the most part, snared all of the players needed come August. But that hasn’t swayed Willey from putting together a highlight tape and shipping it off to make the rounds.
One thing that is sure to catch the eye of a potential coach is Willey’s gas tank and how it never empties. His boundless energy is on display during every game and every practice.
“I go 100 percent every day,” he said. “I just love being on the field.”
Chaminade has always been known for its defense, and that won't change. Senior goalie Jonathan Duncan is a quality talent, and classmates Taylor Oswald and Scott Meiners are shoring up the back.
“Our defense is there,” Willey said. “If we can step it up on offense, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be able to compete with anyone.
Willey has been named captain, a role he relishes.
“I am all about whatever I can do to help the team out,” he said.
Seidel said Willey is a perfect choice to help steer the team's course.
“Greg is great for the young guys,” Seidel said. “He has shown them that your goals can be attained. All the hard working is starting to show.”
