Bonney Lake High School senior Gordon Nelson signed his National Letter of Intent to play NCAA Division II lacrosse at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri this fall.

Nelson plays for the Auburn Riverside lacrosse program where students from Auburn Riverside, White River, Sumner, Bonney Lake and Enumclaw high schools play.

He has played lacrosse since seventh grade. During his junior year, he played running back and middle linebacker for the Panthers.

Football was his first favorite sport, Nelson said.

For his senior year, he switched his focus to lacrosse. He started enjoying the sport more and he was getting significantly better at it after his sophomore year, he said.

Auburn Riverside coach Louis Lucchesi has been Nelson’s coach since he was in eighth grade.

“He is very athletic and always had the potential,” Lucchesi said.

Playing lacrosse, Nelson felt would better benefit him getting into college and afterwards.

When asked what sets him apart from other lacrosse players, Nelson said he tries to motivate others on the field.

Lucchesi said the team is well rounded and Nelson is a major contributor.

Nelson credits his coach for his success. Lucchesi has helped him grow up and be a better player as well as a better person, he said.

He dedicates his hard work to his coach because Lucchesi couldn’t play himself. Lucchesi was a lacrosse player and was going to play at Navy, Nelson said, but he was in an accident that left him unable to play.

“I was extremely happy when he told me he was committing,” Lucchesi said.