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Way back in 1996, MadLax became what is now one of the oldest club lacrosse programs of its kind, along with the Baltimore Crabs.

Almost 30 years later, the DMV continues to produce some of the best talent in the country on an annual basis.

“It’s immeasurable. It’s probably 100x,” founder Cabell Maddux said when asked how he’s seen the program change and grow over the years. “We put a club team together in 1999 and people were like, ‘what the hell is this?’ We just did one of them and we had no one to play. It was like, us and I think every single team we played was a varsity high school team. We occasionally played the Crabs and occasionally played Long Island Express, but there was no Laxachusetts. There was no Team 91. Now, we have 20-something teams.”

The type of athlete is still similar to the ones back in the late 90’s, but Maddux acknowledges the level of player that MadLax and other coaches are able to produce now is much different because of all the extra opportunities.

“Today’s athletes are still the same and don’t let anyone tell you differently,” he said. “The difference now (with the caliber of player), is all the training, weight lifting and speed work. They’re doing it way more than they used to, so you see guys who look like they’re in college who are in high school.”

Many of those guys will be taking the fields for MadLax this summer. Here’s a bunch of names to keep an eye on when it comes to uncommitteds in the 2026, 2027 and 2028 class:

MadLax Top Uncommitted 2026s

Andrew Vercher, LSM, Episcopal (Va.) 

Also a football defensive back, Vercher can shut down top midfielders. He’s dominant on ground balls while on the faceoff wings. He’s also earned some time at SSDM for Episcopal. Vercher runs transition smoothly and lands takeaway checks, and also has an offensive mindset with the ball in his stick.

Nate Tenzer, midfield, Episcopal (Va.)

Tenzer is a big, two-way midfielder who had 35 points this spring. On offense, he dodges hard and uses his size to leverage opposing defenses. When the slide comes, he has impressive vision.

“He is fast and deceptive enough to run the ball out in tough situations on clears and is dangerous in transition. Very solid 1v1 as a SSDM,” Maddux said.

Ben Palma, attack/midfield, St. Albans (D.C.)

Armed with an absolute cannon of a shot, Palma is a smooth-shooting attackman offensive weapon. He excels getting downhill out of the box or on the wings. A smart off-ball player and an excellent finisher, Palma is also able to create for himself off the dodge. He also uses his size and length to get shots around defenders.

Henry Keeler, midfield, Gonzaga (D.C.)

Keeler is comfortable anywhere on the field offensively. He has elite hands and quickness, which enables him to beat anyone within 5-10 yards. He has a fantastic shot on the run or stepping down with both hands.

“Henry is very strong and tough, so he is not afraid to D up or dodge aggressively on the lacrosse field,” Maddux said. “Henry is a natural leader who always has a smile on his face after every game and practice. As smart and coachable as they come.”

Robert Swift, midfield, Landon (Md.)

An ultra reliable, lock down short-stick defensive midfielder who started for Landon this spring and is excellent in transition.  He’s also one of the faster guys around (4.6 40) and plays FO wings well due to his outstanding ground-ball instincts, strength and toughness.  “He understands defenses at a high level, proving his high lacrosse IQ constantly on man down, 6-v-6, even or uneven situations,” Maddux explained.

MadLax Top 2027s

Nate Randles, attack, Yorktown (Va.)

One of the premier quarterback types in the class, Randles makes up for his lack of prototypical size with elite-level quickness, agility and change-of-direction ability. He will abuse any big defender in coverage, and he’s a two-handed scoring threat from behind the cage.

Jack Borg, attack, Deerfield (Mass.)

Borg is an outstanding dodger and tremendous shooter. He started as a sophomore for a Deerfield team that spent much of the season in the national top 25. Borg’s got excellent size and while he’s not a burner, he finds ways to get open and make plays.  “He plays with incomparable effort and intensity,” said Maddux. “High IQ and a natural leader.”

Cole Guckenberger, defense, St. John’s (D.C.)

Guckenberger’s your guy if you want a first-off-the-bus defenseman. He’s already more than 200 pounds as a sophomore, and he’s got the power and brute strength to go with it. Guckenberger consistently plays with uncommon physicality. He routinely erases other teams’ top attackmen.

Tommy Leland, midfield/attack/FOGO, Gonzaga (D.C.)

One of the most unique do-it-all players in the class, Leland is a playmaker that has a tremendous knack for handling pressure and scoring.

“He’s the most intriguing recruit in the class. He also is legitimately one of the most talented faceoff middies in the class,” Maddux added.

Leland started at attack for Gonzaga, posting 30 goals and 18 assists as a sophomore. His stick skills are obviously incredibly advanced for the position. That’s something that could help set him apart from everyone else if he chooses that path.

Wyatt Douglas, midfield/attack, St. John’s (D.C.)

Douglas is a tall, physical player that is certainly not afraid to mix it up. At 6-3 and about 180 pounds, he projects to be a matchup nightmare as he continues to fill out. He’s also not afraid to get dirty in getting to the tough areas to score goals.

“He attacks well from the wings and from the top of the box,” Maddux said. “Douglas has a basketball background that is very evident with his vision and passing ability. He also plays with a real mean streak.”

MadLax Top 2028s

Ben Pensy, goalie, Good Counsel (Md.)

Maddux calls him an “elite stopper.” Pensy is the strongest guy on the team and a weight room junkie “Outstanding leader. Starter for Good Counsel spring ’25. ‘Yes sir,’ mentality,” Maddux added.

Will Baruch, defense, St. Christopher’s (Va.)

A lockdown lefty, Baruch embraces the challenge of taking on opponents’ top scoring option. He embraces contact and uses his high-level athleticism to keep pace with anyone.

Colton Maddux, attack, Episcopal (Va.)

A high-IQ field general type of player, Maddux has excellent vision and is a slick finisher. He brings a certain toughness to the table and won’t shy away from getting to the middle of the field to score.

Quinn O’Neill, midfield, Gonzaga (D.C.)

O’Neill is a pure, do-it-all two-way middie. He carved out a role for himself at Gonzaga as a freshman, which is never a small feat. He’s one of the biggest leaders on the team and is constantly able to bring the energy to the team.

Cooper Petruzzi, midfield, St. Anne’s Belfield (Va.)

A massive downhill dodger, Petruzzi is a lights-out shooter who embraces the physical aspect of the game.