The game of lacrosse moves at such a fast pace, and an even swifter speed for those on the attack. For Jack Marro, he constantly keeps his head on a swivel and procures plenty of points while keeping his teammates on the ball.

The North Haven senior midfielder started with the sport all the way back in second grade and has stuck with the game ever since. This past spring as a junior, Jack was a focal point of the Nighthawks’ offense by producing 28 goals and 18 assists to help lead North Haven back to another state tournament berth following a 9-7 regular season.

“My friends got me into lacrosse, and I have played with them ever since. I love having a good group of guys to play along with, which helped make lacrosse my sport,” says Jack. “One of the things that has helped me succeed I think is my ability to keep my eyes up out there. Another big strength for me I feel is just being able to get everyone involved.”

More specifically within the attacking corps, Jack occupied the X attack slot last year. He explains that he has a valuable vantage point when it comes to his scope of the action. It can be rough being the signal caller of the offense, though he loves showcasing a diverse skill set.

“I play right behind the goalkeeper, so I get a different perspective of the field from everyone and can kind of be the quarterback of the offense,” Jack says. “I like to take the ball from behind, but I also like the versatility of the position. It can be difficult to make sure everyone is doing their job on every play, and sometimes you will be wrong, so it can be stressful there.”

When it came to possessing the rock, Jack would feel some trepidation when it came to deciding his next maneuver. Yet no matter what miscues or misfires may occur, he knows he has the total compassion and understanding of an emphatic family on the field.

“Early on, I was not confident with the ball in my hand. But through the time with North Haven and my experience, I built up that confidence into the player I am now,” says Jack. “What also helps me when I make a mistake is talking to the team because no one brings anyone down. We know it is okay to let each other know when we mess up. It really helps having that family out there.”

In terms of Jack’s upbringing within the Nighthawks’ program, the upperclassmen veterans and the reassuring presence they provided were critical. He denotes that he wants to simply give back to North Haven now in an upperclassman role and be a strong supporter of all tiers of the team.

“As a freshman, I had amazing captains, so I want to give that to those younger guys what I had when I was in their spot,” says Jack. “I also try to be present at JV games, cheer on the guys, and do my part.”

North Haven boys’ lacrosse Head Coach Justin Blood explains that Jack never takes a play, much less a rep, lightly. He always puts his full body, mind, and soul into the game and his team while being a wise and reputable player.

“Jack is a charismatic leader, leads by example, and he never misses a practice and has great communication skills,” says Blood. “He takes every rep in games and practices with 100% effort. He is incredibly coachable and respectful to everyone, including coaches and his peers. His love of the game of lacrosse is palpable; he is always looking to do extra work, and it is clear he loves the game of lacrosse. He is a great teammate and looks out for others to ensure team success. He can always find the open man and has an excellent lacrosse IQ mindset. He understands the game better than most players his age.”

When it comes to evading defenders, Jack is aiming to become a little more ambidextrous in a way with the tactics he uses to push his way to the goal. For his team’s target heading into his final campaign next season, they would love to run it back and take it one step further in the postseason.

“I think one of my great assets is seeing the field when dodging and looking for options. One thing I think I need to gain skill on is dodging with my non-dominant hand and not being a one-sided player,” Jack says. “I think the main goal for us next year is to make states again. It was amazing to get back there this year, and so we want to do it again. Despite losing some great seniors, we can make a good run next season.”