Senior Colton Winsick announces his commitment to continue his academic and athletic journey at Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he will compete in NAIA-level lacrosse while majoring in business administration.
During his decision-making process, Winsick had to closely consider whether to choose TWU or Moorpark College. Ultimately, the coaches and professionalism led him to solidify his choice to commit to TWU.
“They were exceptional coaches and I’m super excited to go play for them,” Winsick said. “They made me feel like family from the moment I got there and that’s something that I am really excited about.”
Winsick’s lacrosse journey began at the age of 10 and it wasn’t long before this sport became a major part of his life.
“I really didn’t like any other sport. My brother was playing it at the time, so I kind of got into it through him and I just fell in love with it.”
This lasting passion took him through three seasons of playing on the Oak Park High School lacrosse team, with a fourth coming up this spring season. Winsick reflects on his high school journey so far, one memory standing above the rest.
“We started the season 0-7 and then went on an 11-game win streak in the end,” Winsick said. “It was such an incredible experience to see how far we came as a team.”
An unexpected factor in Winsick’s success on the field is his pregame preparation.
“My pregame ritual is I don’t listen to music,” Winsick said. “I try not to listen to music because it’s artificial hype”
Throughout his journey, Winsick’s biggest inspiration and support came from his parents.
“My dad, who’s been there to help me the entire way, and my mother as well, they’re just two big inspirations in my life,” Winsick said. “My mom and dad really pushed me to be the best person I can be and they just kind of inspired me to work hard and achieve the greatest possible thing that I could.”
Their encouragement on and off the field has provided him to pave his road to success. Lacrosse is such a prominent factor in his life, it’s a place where he expresses his passion and most importantly, learns lessons he applies in and out of the game.
“It made me a very hard worker in everything I do. It’s made me good with all the people, especially my teammates and my coworkers. It has also taught me how to be a good leader.”
Although this sport continues to guide him through his life, each athlete has their own setbacks, whether that is mental or physical.
“I think I often thought of myself as less than. Thinking that I was less than kind of made me want to work harder and just be better,” Winsick said. “The best way to say it is I just think that I did less than all the other kids that I played with at the time and made me feel like I wasn’t doing as good, but that just made me want to work harder on my own stuff.”
Winsick’s ability to strive and turn his self-doubt into something that has brought him to play at the level he does. To younger athletes with hopes to play at the collegiate level, Winsick gives the advice: “Don’t sell yourself short.”
“You can always if you work hard enough and put your mind to something then you can pretty much get whatever you want through hard work.”
