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Gino DeVengencie Commits to Canisius College for Lacrosse

By Joe Mertens '15, 01/07/22, 1:30PM EST

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The Wildcat midfielder will be continuing his academic and lacrosse career for the Golden Griffins at the Division I level.

OHIO CITY, Oh - Gino DeVengencie has committed to Canisius College to continue his academic and lacrosse career. DeVengencie brings a unique story on the lacrosse field as he just recently began playing the sport. DeVengencie’s first season with the Wildcats was his junior season, where Saint Ignatius made a Final Four appearance in the OHSAA Tournament. After one season of high school lacrosse, DeVengencie has received a scholarship to play at the Division I level next spring.

 “I have been talking to Canisius for a while, originally I was talking to Baldwin Wallace and Ohio Wesleyan, two Division III programs,” explains DeVengencie. “Adam Ormstead ’21 went to Canisius and they were on my radar, I emailed the coach and they invited me to their prospect day; after a few visits, they called me and gave me the offer.”

Ormstead was a stand-out lacrosse player for the Wildcats last season in the OHSAA Tournament run and committed to Canisius last season. Nate Conry ’19 was another useful source for DeVengencie as Conry is now a junior for the Golden Griffins. Conry was the Wirtz Athlete of the Year in 2019 for his dominance on the football and lacrosse teams.

“Adam helped a lot during last season, which was my junior year,” DeVengencie says. Nate helped me understand the program and how the culture is at Canisius, which made the decision that much easier.”

The decision for DeVengencie comes months before the Lacrosse season begins for the Wildcats and he notes that the weight is off his shoulders heading into his senior season.

“This helps a ton; I can completely focus on the upcoming season. I don’t have to worry about talking to college coaches,” says DeVengencie. “The weight is off my shoulders and I can focus on winning a State Championship.”

DeVengencie’s love of the game lacrosse began during the summer after his freshman year at Saint Ignatius. “I picked up a stick after the summer of my freshman year,” explains DeVengencie. “Due to the pandemic, my sophomore season didn’t happen. Last year was my first year on varsity.” 2022 will be DeVengencie’s second full season with the Wildcats and he has improved his game throughout the off-season playing Lacrosse with Burning River.

“I wanted to improve my face-off game over the off-season,” DeVengencie says. “I worked on going against stronger competition because I am fairly new to the sport; I’ve worked with my hand speed and getting as many reps as possible during the summer.”

After last season, the Lax Cats have a ton of talent returning in 2022, which saw them make it to the Final Four in the OHSAA Tournament. Once the off-season began, DeVengencie began working on his game to help the program for the following season.

“I took everything out of my junior year, learning a ton at the high school level,” explains DeVengencie. “After working with fellow teammate Braeden Lair, who is amazing at face-offs, taught me a lot and now I’m used to the lacrosse season.”

After the 14-13 overtime loss to Dublin Jerome in the State Semifinal, DeVengencie and the Wildcats are primed for a redemption season to compete for the program’s first State Championship.

“I’m extremely excited to get back on the field with the guys,” says DeVengencie. “Last season stung knowing we were so close to the State Championship, we’re ready for the redemption season and try and win a title.”

The Golden Griffin commit looks to be an integral part of the Lax Cats in the 2022 season as we approach the start of a new season.