Kicking It With JD

We caught up with Arlington High standout JD Colarusso, the Albany-bound goaltender with a potent lacrosse bloodline. JDC has been the mainstay and bulwark between-the-pipes for Arlington. This season, Arlington has risen from the tunnels of Dutchess County obscurity to register a 9-3 record.

ZS:  You guys have surprised a lot of people this season. What can you attribute to the flipped focus this year, what's been the integral ingredient for success?

JC: I think the recipe for success has just been working hard in practice every day. In the off-season, as a team, we have been working extremely hard at least 3-4 times a week which without a doubt helped us out. Also, I think the chemistry of our team is great. We have a bunch of kids that all get along together, and we all have positive attitude towards the team. 

We want to win, we want to leave our mark on the program. In the summer, we have an Arlington-based team called Premier Lacrosse. 

Last summer, we played in about four summer tournaments. We did extremely well against some really tough competition. In the winter, we did lots of conditioning and stick work.

ZS: It’s been a year of firsts for you guys. It started off with a bang when you beat Lakeland/Panas. The success carried over in the Mahopac game. How high is the bar set for this team, what’s the ultimate goal?

JC: We have extremely high expectations, especially for us seniors! The ultimate goal is a sectional title. 

We all try to not think about it and take it one practice and one game at a time. We want to be the first team in Arlington lacrosse history and Dutchess County to ever win a Section 1 lacrosse championship.

ZS: You guys have a larger-than-life sized school and now finally a lacrosse culture. Have you guys been generating a buzz or what?

JC: Yes, without a doubt. Compared to the last couple years, this year we definitely have many more people at the games. 

Many people also travel to our away games as well. Around campus, everyone is rooting for us this year. Everyone is excited that we’re making history and that we’re beating teams in Westchester, where all the top section 1 teams are located.

ZS: Who has been you’re biggest influence, lacrosse-wise?

JC: Has to be my Dad (Alrington assistant Joseph Colarusso). My Dad has taught me literally everything I know about the goalie position. He was an All American goalie at Yorktown and it helps that he knows the game very well.

 Every day of the off-season, he shoots on me and just corrects my mistakes and makes me a better lacrosse player overall.  

ZS: Your senior class has been playing together forever it seems. What are the emotions like, knowing these next couple of weeks, this is it?

JC: It's really crazy right now. We've been playing together since the third grade and it’s hard to believe it’s coming to an end after this year. We are just trying to make the most of it. We have four games left and all the seniors are just not giving up, going 110 percent every play and just enjoying the moment. We are trying to make great things happen. 

We want to be able to talk about how much success we had this season. Last night was senior night against Suffern and it was the last regular season game that we will ever play on the turf…So, it was very emotional and we left it all out on that turf and got the win.

ZS: If you could choose your own legacy, if you could write your own book on yourself, what would your character be remembered for?

JC: Wow. I would want to be remembered as the best goalie to ever come out of Arlington High School! I also want to be remembered as a great team leader and an excellent person. Lastly I want to be remembered as part of the best lacrosse team to ever come out of Arlington.

ZS: What aspects played in your decision to ink with Albany?

JC: Albany is about an hour and a half  from home, so it’s close which is awesome because my family can come watch all my home games. Definitely, the coaching staff  at Albany helped me make my decision. 

My best friend and teammate, Dan Hanson is playing lacrosse there also. We always dreamed of playing at the same college program. I wouldn’t say I helped influence his decision to commit, but when we both visited we both thought it was awesome and the right place for the next chapter in our careers.

ZS: You guys have Yorktown on Thursday. Lots of shooters and guys you’ve grown up playing against . How do you expect to handle them?

JC: Personally, I just have to be very concentrated and be on my “A” game. We have to try and get into the shooters hands. We will try our best and try to force them into some bad shots.