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Another Burrard wins a field lacrosse scholarship

Cooke playing for Newbury Wolves in South Carolina
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Austen Cooke playing minor lacrosse with the Burrards. (Contributed)

Maple Ridge lacrosse standout Austen Cooke has earned a scholarship to play field lacrosse in the U.S.

Cooke is joining the Newbury Wolves in South Carolina, who play NCAA second division lacrosse.

He missed the first semester, but will be joining the team for the regular season, which starts in February.

Cooke, who has been standout defender on his Ridge Meadows Burrards teams, was drafted by the Port Coquitlam Saints in BC Junior A Lacrosse League. They picked him fifth overall in 2017. He played 20 games including playoffs, and had one assist.

“He’s a big, tough rugged kid, and so a great defender,” said Lance Andre who coached Cooke in minor lacrosse with the Burrards.

Andre said Cooke is an effective midfielder in the outdoor game.

“He made an impact on our teams. He didn’t score a tone of goals, but he helps the goalscorers score.”

He was happy to see another Maple Ridge player get the opportunity to play college lacrosse on a scholarship, and continue developing their game while getting an education.

“For any kid who gets to go to the States it’s an honour,” he said. “Good on him.”

One of Cooke’s former Burrards teammates, Dayten Vidovich, will also be on the Wolves roster, and has already played a season with the team.

They are just in the process of building a competitive team, beginning their second season, and are looking to improve on a record of 4-11 in their first year.

Cooke graduated from Maple Ridge Secondary in the French immersion program. He was going to attend Simon Fraser University, but with the new opportunity will study business at Newbury. The scholarship covers his tuition, and is valued at $26,000 per year.



Neil Corbett

About the Author: Neil Corbett

I have been a journalist for more than 30 years, the past decade with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News.
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