Family Ties: Kirst ready to follow in brothers’ footsteps

Oct 10, 2023

 

October 10 - Maki Jenner

 

Cole Kirst has always had an affinity for lacrosse, thanks to his lacrosse-centric upbringing. Growing up in Bernardsville, New Jersey, surrounded by his brothers, the 23-year-old drew inspiration from both his childhood environment and his highly successful family members.

 

"From the very start, my brothers and I always had lacrosse sticks in our hands," Kirst said. "Our dad taught us the sport, emphasizing the profound connections it fosters. Sharing this passion with my brothers during our formative years ignited a lifelong love for the game within all of us."

 

Kirst's father, Kyle, played lacrosse at Rutgers University, and after graduation, he pursued a career as a high school lacrosse coach. While at Rutgers, Kyle met his future wife, Michelle, and they decided to start a family. Little did they know that their family would eventually comprise of five boys who would collectively make their mark in the lacrosse world.

 

While the Kirst brothers engaged in various sports together, lacrosse stood out as their common thread. Cole closely followed his two older brothers, Connor and Colin, as they competed in high school and club lacrosse. Witnessing their journey to university-level play fueled Cole's aspiration to do the same.

 

"Watching them go through the recruiting process inspired me to follow in their footsteps," Kirst said. "Seeing them commit to universities during high school motivated me to pursue a similar path and strive for the opportunity to play at that level."

 

Kirst spent four years at Lehigh University before completing his graduate year at Syracuse University. His exceptional skills were evident as he earned the title of All-ACC in his final season, amassing a total of 118 points over five years.

 

In his last year with Syracuse, Kirst was honored with the role of co-captain. His growth as an athlete and teammate set him apart. Embracing the responsibility of a leadership position was a transformative experience.

 

"I've always looked up to my brothers and my dad," Kirst said. "I've consistently leaned on the guidance of experienced players, and both college programs I played for enabled me to do just that. They taught me resilience in the face of setbacks, the importance of sharing every moment, whether positive or negative and the strength that comes from weathering challenges together."

 

Throughout his life, Kirst held fast to the value of togetherness. In times of adversity, it was not a burden he carried alone; his family, coaches, and teammates all shared the load. This support system bolstered Kirst's confidence, allowing him to venture beyond his comfort zone.

 

With unwavering support from his family, coaches, and teammates, Kirst pursued a professional lacrosse career and was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NLL Draft by the Thunderbirds.

 

The Kirst brothers have all excelled on the field, but they are also making their mark in box lacrosse. While Cole's introduction to box lacrosse began during his high school years with his club team, making the transition to the NLL was no small feat.

 

"Fortunately, I had Kyle Sweeney to teach me the ropes of box lacrosse as I was growing up," Kirst said. "Having someone with NLL experience made a world of difference in my development. Playing alongside my brothers and witnessing how seamlessly they adapted gave me the confidence to dive right in."

 

Recently, Kirst earned a spot in the US National box team player pool in August, ahead of Thunderbirds' upcoming fall training camp. While both Connor and Colin Kirst have tasted success in the NLL, Cole is embracing the journey as he prepares to make his mark in the league.

 

"Participating in these training camps with the national team is invaluable for my growth," Kirst said. "Learning from different coaches, gaining diverse perspectives, and competing alongside talented players is an incredible experience. I'm just trying to absorb as much as possible before Thunderbirds' training camp."

 

If you were to ask Cole who he looks up to among Americans in the NLL, it's undoubtedly his brothers. Kirst understands the hard work required to elevate his game, but he knows it's attainable, having witnessed his brothers' journeys. He has incorporated the lessons from his father, brothers, coaches, and teammates into his approach to overcoming new challenges.

 

"My dad always emphasized attitude and effort because they're the two things we can always control," Kirst said. "These principles have remained constant throughout my lacrosse journey. They enable me to bring positive energy to my team every time I step onto the field. Knowing that attitude and effort are attributes I can always manage inspires me to do so every single day."

 

From the moment Cole first picked up a lacrosse stick to the present day, he has remained steadfast in his values. His deep-rooted appreciation for family and his confidence have empowered him to venture beyond his comfort zone. By absorbing guidance from teammates, coaches, and especially his brothers, he has blossomed into a remarkable leader. There is no doubt that when Kirst's moment arrives in the NLL, he will thrive.