A familiar face will lead the Saint Ignatius lacrosse program in 2017.

Garen Distelhorst has been named Interim Head Lacrosse Coach for the 2017 season, Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88 announced today. 

Distelhorst also serves as Director of Leadership Gifts & Donor Relations in the Saint Ignatius Advancement Department.  

"Garen is a great coach and an exceptional leader," Fitzpatrick said. "I'm thankful that he has stepped forward to lead the team as we search for a long-term head coach. Garen has done an excellent job as the JV lacrosse coach for the past few years – I'm excited to see Garen grow the program over the next year."

Patrick McManamon '96 previously served as the head coach, but stepped down to focus on his very successful and rapidly growing business and his young family. 

Distelhorst has served as the Junior Varsity Gold head coach since 2014. Distelhorst also served as the JV Blue head coach from 2010-2013.  

Distelhorst’s teams have an overall record of 65-14 during his time at Saint Ignatius. 

"I am thrilled to be serving as Head Lacrosse Coach for the 2017 season and can't wait to get started," Distelhorst said. "Coming off of our state runner-up finish last year, our program's singular goal is to win the state championship and everything we do as a program will reflect that."

The Wildcats finished 16-3 last season and reached the state championship game for the first time in school history. 

Distelhorst's Lax Cats will be a talented squad this season, too, with players such as midfielder and Bellarmine commit Brent Chernosky '17, and face-off specialist and Ohio State commit Anthony Ameo '18. 

"Having coached every player in our program, I know the quality of the character of our young men," Distelhorst said. "The season can't get here soon enough. Go Cats!"