Ashley Kennedy ‘22
Photo courtesy of Sports Recruits
Senior Jackson Tuma ‘20 has played a big role in the success of Episcopal’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team throughout his four years of high school. His abilities on and off the field have allowed him to be a great role model for everyone on the team. There is no doubt that he will continue to push himself and be a leader during his one year at the Salisbury School.
Tuma started playing lacrosse when he was in Kindergarten with a push from his dad. He has focused on playing attack and midfield positions but has found himself taking more of a leadership position as a senior. “…as a senior I take more of a leadership and teaching role for the underclassmen. This can be anything from relaying practice plans or helping them understand our systems to teaching them how to balance school, sports and a social life, which is a skill that many underclassmen struggle with due to inexperience,” Tuma says. His teammates, Nick Bates ‘20 and Charlie Cunniffe ‘20, both mention how his lacrosse IQ is a valuable tool to help mentor the underclassmen on the team as well as improve his skills on the field. Cunniffe says, “This IQ helps him mentor kids and teach them more advanced things that they need to know on the field. Jackson also provides a firm senior leadership role, where he is highly respected and valued by underclassmen and the team as a whole.” Cunniffe adds, “He truly embodies what it means to be a senior leader on the lacrosse team.”
Not only is Tuma’s ability to mentor the underclassmen highly valued, but his abilities on the field are also respected and valued. Christopher Bates, Head Coach of the lacrosse team, says, “Jackson initiates a lot of our offense when he’s covered by a short stick. He dodges, draws the double team and starts the engine. If there’s not a slide, he typically gets his hands free for a shot. Jackson is also a very strong on-ball defensive midfielder.” His hard work and selflessness have made a huge impact on the team’s success, and his teammates and coach agree that the other members of the team are learning from this. Nick Bates says, “He’s always done whatever our coaches ask of him without hesitation. After playing in the mid-field his whole life, Jackson willingly accepted the challenge of switching positions this year and becoming an attackman. His unselfishness granted us more flexibility on offense, and I think the whole team really benefited as a result.”
The COVID-19 outbreak has tremendously affected Tuma as a player. “I am now out of practice with the team and out of game scenario practice,” he says. He also talks about how the coronavirus has made him and his fellow senior teammates miss a very important recruiting year. “This was also a big recruiting year for me and now that it is looking to take a significant hit in its length. I now have missed a whole season’s worth of opportunity in regard to recruiting. I am lucky enough to have another year of high school sports and a summer season unlike the rest of my fellow seniors but missing this last season has definitely had a huge impact on me as a player.”
His teammates and coach agree that Tuma is a phenomenal teammate and leader on the team. His perseverance, flexibility, and leadership have had a big impact on the team and will be greatly missed next year.