Tanner Lindstrom saw the Minnesota Swarm play a lacrosse game when he was 13 years old.
He liked what he saw.
"I saw the game and thought, 'I want to play that.' I was hooked on the game instantly."
Now, the 17-year-old is playing his first full season of lacrosse with the Grand Cities Predators. The club team -- in its first season -- played its first two home games Sunday at Elks Park, falling to Duluth 16-4 before beating Proctor, Minn., 17-8 to improve to 2-3.
The Predators will play 17 games this season in the Minnesota Boys Scholastic Lacrosse Association. The team will travel more than 1,200 miles, playing in Duluth, the Twin Cities, Grand Rapids, Minn., Brainerd, Minn., St. Cloud, Minn., and Fargo.
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The team is comprised of players from Grand Forks Red River, Grand Forks Central, East Grand Forks Senior High, South Middle School, Central Middle School and Warren-Alvarado-Oslo.
The club sport is new to Greater Grand Forks, but one of the three coaches working with the Predators said the players are developing quickly.
"Where we're at right now is where I thought we'd be at the end of the season," said Kelly Hurt who coaches the team along with Aaron Cabanaw and Cameron Willox. "These guys are picking things up quickly. They're starting to learn the game."
Lindstrom, who scored the game-winning goal to beat Proctor a week ago, said lacrosse combines the attributes of a handful of sports.
"I really like the speed and the intensity of the game," he said. "It's kind of like hockey but there is running involved, like soccer, and there is the physicality of football. And the sticks are different than hockey."
Lindstrom plays hockey for Senior High.
"Most people think the sport is hockey on a field," Lindstrom said. "But it's much more than that."
There was considerable contact during the Predators' two games Sunday. Players wear helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads and gloves, but no shin guards.
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"I like the physical part of the game," Lindstrom said. "But it's just an overall fun game. I really can't describe it."
Hurt, who has been around the sport for 16 years, said speed and aggressiveness are two key traits.
"It's a fast-paced game," he said. "It's similar to hockey but it has the offensive formations of basketball. And it has the physicality like football. But if you're overly aggressive, you'll get burned."
Lacrosse features the goal scoring and checking of hockey, the offensive strategies of basketball, the running of soccer and the throwing and catching of baseball.
It's a sport that has been played at the club level at UND but this is the first season it has been played at the prep level.
But a handful of Predators say the physicality of the sport is what attracts them.
"I got hit hard in my first game," said Gunnar Bowman, who commutes from Warren for practices and games. "You hit people to get the ball. It's a pretty big factor in the sport."
The Predators attracted 22 players this season. They're hoping for more next spring.
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"I've heard track kids and baseball kids say they might want to play lacrosse next season," Lindstrom said.
The concept for the Grand Cities Predators was launched about a year ago by Brent Lindstrom -- the driving force behind the program.
He also serves as an assistant coach. He said the program budgeted for 25 players this season, adding there is still time for players to join. The program mainly is funded through registration fees.
The inaugural Grand Cities Predators are: Tanner Lindstrom, Aaron Sauve, Jake Dunham, Christian Hanson, Mason Kallock, Colton Ramsey, Evan Larson, Trey Deck, Zack Campbell, Chirstian Hogness, Brady McDonald, Tom Twedell, Pete Schirrick, Chris Kjenstad, Nick Gaasvig, Tyler Lindstrom, Corey Saiger, Gunnar Bowman, Jake Young, Connor Shea, Brandon Johnson and Tucker Williams.
The Predators' next home game is May 1 against Fargo.
Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .
