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Campbell Eager to Play in All-Star Event

Jul. 2, 2010

Campbell Eager to Play in All-Star Event

Worthington Kilbourne High School teachers generally frown on students answering their cell phones in class. Graduate Will Campbell is glad one of his teachers made an exception.

"My cell phone kept vibrating in my pocket," said Campbell, who will play at North Carolina. "At first I thought something bad happened."

People were trying to let Campbell know he was selected for the Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic at 8 p.m. Saturday at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, Md. The game will be shown live on ESPNU.

Campbell and Dublin Jerome's Eric Ruhl are Ohio's lone representatives on the South team that features players from North Carolina, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Campbell is the first Kilbourne player selected in the five-year history of the game. Thomas Worthington graduate Kyle Carey who played last year and now plays for Syracuse, is the only other player from the Worthington school district to participate.

"There's not a whole bunch of players who have gotten this chance," Campbell said. "A lot of people out there look at Ohio as these corn-husking football players (with lacrosse sticks). I just want to leave a positive impression and set a path for other guys to make it here."

Campbell finished with 41 goals, eight assists and 50 groundballs last spring for the Wolves. Campbell was first team all-OCC, all-region, all-state and all-Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association, as well as being named as the state's Division I Midfielder of the Year.

Campbell Eager to Play in All-Star Event

In 2009, Campbell was named the offensive MVP of the Division I state championship game after scoring two goals in a 7-6 win over the Golden Bears. That season, he had 18 goals and 58 ground balls for the Wolves.

"We went as Will went this year," coach Drew May said. "He did everything for us. He played man up, man down, offense and defense. He meant a lot for us."

The Under Armour game will be Campbell's first chance to play with some of his future teammates. He is one of eight Tar Heel recruits in the game. North Carolina finished 13-3 last season after losing to Duke 17-9 in an NCAA quarterfinal.

Campbell began to attract attention of colleges after competing in several camps and tournaments before his junior year.

"At those camps, you see all these college coaches with their notepads and pens out standing end line to end line," Campbell said. "When you make a good play or do something poorly, they write in their notepads. It was one of the more intimidating things I've ever done."

By PAUL BATTERSON ThisWeek Staff Writer

Photo By Ann Tormet/ThisWeek