Connection Sports

Three weeks after helping the Robinson boys’ lacrosse team beat Chantilly in the VHSL 6A state final, Jack Rowlett experienced another memorable victory ­­­ this time against some of the top talent in the nation.

Rowlett, a 2015 Robinson graduate, totaled two goals and five ground balls in the Under Armour All-America Game, helping the South team to a 25-17 victory on July 3 at Towson University. The South outscored the North 9-0 in the third quarter and 17-5 in the second half.

Rowlett, a long stick midfielder, was the lone Northern Virginia public school player in the boys’ game.

Rowlett’s performance in the Under Armour All-America Game followed a successful senior season at Robinson, during which he totaled 27 goals, 16 assists and 75 ground balls, helping the Rams repeat as state champion.

Rowlett, who will continue his lacrosse career at the University of North Carolina, recently participated in a Q&A via email with The Connection.

Connection: You’ll be playing lacrosse at the University of North Carolina next season. What made UNC the right choice for you?

Rowlett: I really liked the coaches and the players when I was down there. It felt like the environment for me to thrive in.

Connection: What position(s) will you play?

Rowlett: I will be playing either LSM or close defense.

Connection: What are you most looking forward to about going to college?

Rowlett: What I am looking forward to most about college is the competition aspect. I will be at the bottom of the totem pole again so I need to work extra hard to reach where I want to be.

Connection: How was the experience of playing in the Under Armour All-America game?

Rowlett: The Under Armour game was amazing. They did a fantastic job hooking us up with gear and getting us where we needed to be. The coaches were great as well as Mr. Corrigan, who set it all up.

Connection: At what age did you start playing lacrosse?

Rowlett: I started playing lacrosse in the seventh grade.

Connection: When did you realize playing college lacrosse was an option for you?

Rowlett: I realized playing lacrosse in college was an option for me after my freshman year of high school. I had a good high school season, as well as a good summer of playing and I thought I had a chance to play at the next level.

Connection: You were part of back­to­back state championship teams at Robinson. How, if at all, did the second title feel different from the first?

Rowlett: The second state title meant a little more because it was my senior year; it was all or nothing. Also, we were not the favorite going in. Most people had Chantilly winning it all so we had to fight extra hard to get there!

Connection: What is your favorite memory of playing lacrosse at Robinson?

Rowlett: My favorite memory while playing at Robinson would be the games against Landon. Since they were an incredible team, it challenged all of us to play big, which we did.

Connection: Do you have any game day superstitions?

Rowlett: My normal pregame routine included getting my pads on at my car instead of the locker room and blasting country music.

Connection: What do you like to do when you’re not playing a sport?

Rowlett: When I'm not playing a sport I like hanging with my family and going on hikes.

Connection: Are you a pro sports fan? Which team(s) do you root for?

Rowlett: I am a pro sports fan. I root for the Saints in football.

Connection: What location is the farthest you've traveled from the Washington, D.C metro area?

Rowlett: The farthest I have ever traveled from DC would either be Florida or Long Island, New York.

Connection: What’s your favorite food?

Rowlett: My favorite food is chicken wings.

Connection: Who is your favorite music artist? Why?

Rowlett: Darius Rucker is my favorite artist because I can jam to his songs.

Connection: What is your favorite movie? Why?

Rowlett: My favorite movie is ‘Point Break,’ because it is a classic.