Dylan Gelven has the boys lacrosse team off to a 7-1 start and a No. 10 overall ranking in the state.
In April 29's 14-3 win over South Lyon, Gelven scored three goals and added six assists. In seven games, Gelven has 31 goals and 23 assists, for over seven points per game.
Gelven was nominated by his coach, Greg Durham, and selected as the Northville Patch Athlete of the Week.
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“Dylan is absolutely the most talented player that I have ever coached,” Durham said. “He is the type of player that after practice stays and works on his game another hour or two. He is currently our all-time leading scorer. He has played in every varsity game since he was a freshman.”
Gelven, a senior captain, didn’t realize until being interviewed for this article that he was Northville’s all-time leading scorer.
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“I don’t try to keep track,” he said. “I just know I need to score lots of points for the team to win. I’m the team leader, it’s expected of me to do that.”
Lacrosse’s popularity is still growing in Michigan, but Gelven has been playing the sport for a number of years.
“I fell in love with it when I started in third grade,” he said. “It’s been fun for me all these years.”
Gelven was named second team all-state last season and finished with a team-record 109 points.
“We are very fortunate to have him in our program because he makes everyone around him better,” Durham said.
Lacrosse appeals to a lot of all-around athletes because it incorporates aspects of a lot of different sports.
“I’d say it’s a cross between soccer and hockey,” Gelven said. “There are a lot of hockey players who come over and play lacrosse. That’s what I did. I quit hockey for it, which is sport I loved back in the day.”
Gelven has used his skills in lacrosse, and in the classroom, to earn athletic and academic scholarships to Seton Hill University.
Gelven plans to study engineering at Seton Hill, located in Greensburg, Pa.
The Griffins compete in Division II in the East Coast Conference and are 6-6 overall and 4-5 in ECC play. They’re ranked No. 13 overall in Division II.
“I’m very excited to go there next year and start playing college lacrosse,” Gelven said. “I’m playing for the love of the game and to get an education. It helped me get into school and pay for school. That’s why I’m going to continue to play in college.”
