Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/19/17
From Press Release
Senior Ryan Hilburn (Malvern Prep), junior Michael Laviano and senior Jack Wilson will join graduate student Brian Badgett and senior Conor Okmin as captains of the Boston University men’s lacrosse team for the 2018 season, as announced on Friday.
Badgett and Okmin will reprise their roles as leaders for the third consecutive season while Hilburn, Laviano and Wilson are all first-time captains. Badgett and Okmin join 2017 graduate Ryan Johnston as the only three-year captains in program history.
“I’m very excited to have Ryan, Jack, and Michael join Conor and Brian to form a very strong leadership group,” head coach Ryan Polley (Malvern Prep) said. “All three had excellent offseasons and have consistently led the team this fall through their work ethic, accountability and commitment to our lacrosse family. I look forward to working with these five fine young men and pushing our team to reach its fullest potential this season.”
All five Terriers have not only shown leadership qualities on the field and in the locker room but within the community as well. Okmin and Wilson were both recognized earlier in the fall as Scarlet Key recipients, one of the most prestigious honors at Boston University. Okmin has worked extensively with the One Love Foundation during his three years at BU, while Laviano spent time with kids at TechBoston Academy this fall. All five student-athletes have also been integral in the program’s community service efforts with organizations such as Harlem Lacrosse, Bike to the Beach and the Crossroads School.
Hilburn (Man Up, Duke’s LC) enters his senior season after securing a career-high 17 assists in 2017. He also added 17 goals for 34 points, recording a point in all but two games. Hilburn has tallied 94 points in 42 career games at attack. Laviano recorded a career-high six points last season thanks to career bests in both goals (3) and assists (3). In two seasons patrolling the Terrier midfield, Laviano has notched 11 points on six goals and five assists.
A member of the Terriers’ inaugural Class of 2017, Badgett is using his remaining year of eligibility while pursuing an MBA from the Questrom School of Business. He and Okmin helped lead the Terriers to their best-ever season last year, as BU won a program-record 12 games and advanced to the conference semifinals in its first-ever Patriot League tournament appearance.
On the field, Badgett appeared in all 17 games last year, recording six ground balls and causing four turnovers as a defensive midfielder. Okmin, also a defensive midfielder, gathered three ground balls and added a caused turnover last season.
Wilson was a Second Team All-Patriot League selection in 2017 after he set career highs in goals (29), assists (18) and points (47). He finished the year on a 43-game point streak that dates back to his freshman season. Wilson is also a two-time Academic All-Patriot League honoree.
