Bowling Green senior Reece Rath (11) moves the ball against a Leo defender during the first quarter of a match on March 23 at Bobcat Stadium. (Scott W. Grau | Sentinel-Tribune file)
By Nicholas Huenefeld
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
Bowling Green High School graduate Reece Rath’s unusual journey as a lacrosse player will continue at the University of Michigan – Dearborn this coming year.
Rath, who completed his senior season for BG this past spring, started playing lacrosse in first grade. After competing for three more seasons, he took a four-year hiatus to play baseball before getting back in the sport as a freshman.
“If you would have asked freshman me if I was going to be going to college for lacrosse, I would have thought you were crazy,” Rath said. “But here I am, and I think it’s the greatest path.”
As a senior, Rath took an increased leadership role after the graduation of Evan Brandt, who set the single-game, season and career goal records for the Bobcats.
“(This past season) was good,” Rath said. “I really enjoyed playing with Evan for a couple years, and that was a cool thing to be a part of. Getting to take the reins my senior year was definitely interesting. I really enjoyed it, and I think it went well.”
BG coach Devin Radcliff said Rath had fun with it.
“The fun thing was seeing him step out and really take charge of the team and be a leader, not just on the field but off,” Radcliff said.
“He’s a natural leader who’s not afraid to put the team on his back. That’s even when he played a couple years with Evan. He was still one of the guys to take charge and lead the team.”
With his play on the field, Rath earned Third Team All-Northern Lakes League recognition as a senior.
One of his season highlights came on March 23 when he scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead the Bobcats to a 9-8 win over Leo (Indiana) in their home opener.
“For me, it’s been more what I could do for the team whether that was being a little selfish at times or getting the ball around to other guys.
“I just remember working every day trying to be the best I can. I always looked up to the older guys. To be in this position now seeing all the hard work paying off is really cool to see.”
Rath, who will major in business, expects to play as a freshman as UM-Dearborn uses a short bench. The Wolverines earned the program’s first-ever win in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference tournament this spring, advancing to the semifinal round.
“I really liked their university,” he said. “I liked what they were about, so I think it will be a great experience. Growing up a Michigan fan definitely helps, too.”
Radcliff is confident that Rath will make a name for himself up north.
“With his work ethic and attitude, it will take care of itself,” he said. “Reece is a really hard-nosed, tough kid. He’s obviously skilled, and you can see it in all three sports he plays.
“He’s a very physical, intense competitor. He’s a natural leader who’s not afraid to put the team on his back. That’s even when he played a couple years with Evan. He was still one of the guys to take charge and lead the team.”
