ATHLETICS
Ryan McClay '03 carries the U.S. flag onto the field as part of Team USA at the 2010 Federation of International Lacrosse World Championships in July in Manchester, England. McClay was chosen to carry the flag because his daughter, Lily, had just been born (McClay missed the birth due to the championships; his wife is Laura Barndt McClay '03). See full image
Four generations of Cornell lacrosse represented at world championships
This summer, most sports fans worldwide were focused on one event – the FIFA World Cup – an international event held once every four years and considered to be the largest and most viewed sporting event in the world.
But it was a quadrennial world championship of a different kind with much less fanfare and very little television coverage that held the interest of many Cornell Big Red fans: the 2010 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships, held July 16-24 in Manchester, England. There, the Big Red was well represented, with nine individuals with Cornell ties.
Brad Kamedulski '10, Scott Lee '02, Ryan McClay '03 and Max Seibald '10, as well as incoming freshman Sten Jernudd, all participated. Joining them in England were John Phillips '58, Mike French '76 and Howie Borkan '81, as well as former Big Red men's lacrosse coach Richie Moran.
With so many Cornellians in one place, the world championships served as a mini-reunion of sorts, as well as an opportunity to welcome Jernudd to the Cornell lacrosse family.
Scott Lee '02 on the field for Korea. See larger image
Jernudd, whose father is a Swedish immigrant, holds dual citizenship and finished the tournament as Sweden's leading scorer with 20 goals and six assists. For his efforts, he was named to the All-Presidents Team as one of the top players in the tournament from a team that did not advance to the medal round.
"The tournament was a great opportunity to meet some Cornell alumni and members of the Cornell lacrosse family whom I hadn't met before," says Jernudd. "I spent a lot of time with Brad [Kamedulski], and I also met his family. I also met Mr. French, who was hilarious, and Coach Moran was also very kind to me, even as his Irish team beat us very soundly."
While Jernudd had a breakout performance and got to enjoy the company of many Big Red faithful, he was not the only Cornellian to enjoy great success there.
Brad Kamedulski '10 (No. 25) playing for Team Poland. See larger image
McClay and Seibald won the gold medal with Team USA and were both named to the all-world team following the tournament. The gold medal was the second for McClay, who missed the birth of his first child, Lily, to participate in the 2010 games, while the championship was the first one ever for Seibald.
"My wife and I were in denial that the baby would come while I was away," says McClay. "Lily came 10 days early, and when she did, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. From the lowest of lows – realizing I was going to miss the birth – to the highest of highs – when she came and my wife, Laura [Barndt '03], and she were both healthy.
"After she was delivered, the thought of not coming home with the gold medal never crossed my mind. I had full confidence that we would get it done and bring back the gold."
French, who serves as a consultant to the Canadian Lacrosse Association, watched his team earn the silver medal at the championships, while Moran, president of the Irish Lacrosse Association, saw his squad finish ninth.
Sten Jernudd '14 on the field for Sweden. See larger image
Lee, whose parents are from Korea, participate in his second World Championships as one of three non-passport holders on the South Korean team.
"I don't know the exact international rules, but our team is allowed a few players who are not native passport holders but are of Korean descent," explains Lee. "In Korea, the only way to get a passport is to serve in the military."
On the other hand, Kamedulski, whose grandfather, Eugene, was a Polish war hero fighting for the Allies in World War II before immigrating to the United States in 1954, acquired dual citizenship this spring and was one of nine Americans on Poland's first-ever national lacrosse team.
Finally, Phillips, whose sons Andy '84 and J.D. '83 both played lacrosse for Cornell, and his wife, Sallie '59, were presented with the Federation of International Lacrosse Development Committee Award. Phillips serves as the financial secretary of the FIL and as chairman of the Tournament Awards Committee.
From left: Jernudd and Kamedulski pose with former Big Red lacrosse coach Richie Moran, Mike French '76 and John Phillips '58. See larger image
"It was a tremendous experience with four decades of Cornell lacrosse represented in Manchester," says Borkan, who is chairman of the U.S. Men's National Teams Committee. "Watching 30 countries play lacrosse over the course of 10 days was extremely exciting, and sharing the experience with so many Cornellians, not to mention the U.S.A. recapturing the title, made the trip extra special."