ST. LEO, Fla. – A Florida child’s passion for playing lacrosse ironically started on the diamond.
Playing recreational baseball as a kid growing up in Jacksonville, the thought of picking up a lacrosse stick didn’t come to Guy Bistrow’s mind until he arrived late to practice and spotted his coach holding an unfamiliar object.
“I remember asking him what a lacrosse stick was and finally started playing in the sixth and seventh grade,” Bistrow said, at Saint Leo University, last Friday. “I have not put the stick down since.”
A sport not as common in the Sunshine State, playing lacrosse gave him what he called a change of scenery.
“Definitely looked a bit different than baseball or basketball like what kids usually are playing in Jacksonville,” Bistrow said.
He dominated by becoming Providence High School’s all-time points leader, and winning the institution’s Offensive Player of the Year, in all four seasons.
When choosing between different schools in his home state, it was Saint Leo’s lacrosse program and their coaching staff that stood out to Bistrow.
“During the recruiting process they took a strong liking for me,” he said. “Staying in Florida was something I really wanted to do.”
The attacker has lit up the score sheet since committing to the Lions in 2020, tallying up 170 points, with 111 goals and 59 assists in 46 games.
In his junior season in 2022 – where he started in all 10 games and racked up the third highest points total — Bistrow was part of the Sunshine State Conference’s All-Freshman team.
The senior attacker says his work ethic and the mentality of “trying to be the best player on the field” has led to his goal-scoring success.
Now in his final year of eligibility with Saint Leo, Bistrow is embracing his new role as the veteran player who offers advice to the younger players.
“We have a lot of potential. I think just going by each practice and each game is something that is going to be great,” Bistrow said. “Just helping kids out is definitely something that I always try to do.”
After graduation, the senior intends to commission in the Florida National Guard and pursue a career in the sports business. Bistrow believes some of the traits essential for the military are transferable to playing lacrosse.
“I think the leadership, organization and communication aspects of being ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) correlates into being a veteran captain and something I try to translate on the field at all times,” he said.
For now, Bistrow is focused on bringing home a conference championship in 2024.
“It’s something we want to pride ourselves on and obviously going beyond that is play in May.”