Zach Hobbes wrapped up a memorable senior season at Ward Melville High School. Personal accolades aside, the Patriots went 21-1 and captured yet another New York State championship and finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Harvard-bound Hobbes is a major reason for the team’s success.
Aside from being an All-American and the Warrior/U.S. Lacrosse Northeast Boys’ Lacrosse Player of the Year, Hobbes also won the Lt. Ray Enners Award as the top lacrosse player in Suffolk County, and was named Section XI Spring Male Athlete of the Year.
“He’s the typical throwback, do-it-all middie,” Ward Melville coach Jay Negus told Lacrosse Magazine about Hobbes, who scored 33 goals and had 16 assists as a senior. “Offensively and defensively, he never came off the field. We really pride ourselves on the defensive end and Hobbes excelled there. Hobbes is an animal. He’s just a force, offensively and defensively.”
Perhaps the biggest honor for Hobbes is winning the Enners, which signifies leadership and sportsmanship and represents one of Long Island’s most famous war heroes. Enners, a Half Hollow Hills alum and Army officer, died in Vietnam rescuing one of his platoon members who ironically was also from Long Island.
Rather than tell the meaning of the Enners Award for Hobbes, we had him share personal sentiments about the honor in his own words …
“Being selected as the winner of the Ray Enners Award is an honor that transcends the sport of lacrosse. Ray Enners was a selfless man and the heroic actions he took on the battlefield only confirmed that he was truly a remarkable man.
I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for the men and women who voluntarily serve in the military and protect our country. It only makes me so much more grateful for receiving this award considering all of the sacrifices Ray Enners made for our country and his fellow soldiers. He made the ultimate sacrifice in order to save one of his fellow service members on the battlefield. Putting others before yourself is, in my opinion, one of the greatest character traits a person can possess. Being held in the same regard as Ray Enners and the previous winners-especially my coach, Jay Negus, is something I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.
Receiving this award would not have been possible had it not been for the many people I have been blessed to be surrounded by while growing up. People who are more than willing to help others that are in need and have a special way of pushing others to be the best they can be. I have to give credit to many people for my found success both on and off the field.
My parents, sisters, grandparents, uncles, and aunts who from a young age always displayed the character traits – honesty, integrity, perseverance, kindness – that would eventually rub off on me. My coaches for pushing me to put in the time and energy at working to be the best I could be. At an early age it was Mike Chanenchuk, who stressed that the developing and honing of fundamental skills would be the keys to success later in my lacrosse career. His ‘One more pass’ and ‘the assist is just as important as the goal’ mantras instilled in me, the importance of being a true team player.
My high school lacrosse coaches Jay Negus, Chris Muscarella and Chris Murphy. It was under their leadership and guidance that I grew into a more confident player which, ultimately, helped me take on leadership roles both on and off the field. I credit them with affording me the opportunity to play in three state championships. My football coaches, Chris Boltrek, Ron and Chris Muscarella, Mr. Markey and Mr. Sorbera also played an important role in developing athleticism and mental toughness. My friends and teammates who were always genuine when congratulating me when I found success and were also there when things didn’t go my way.
So it is with strong conviction that I can say, I would not be the person I am today, or the winner of the Ray Enners Award, had the people mentioned above not been a part of my life.”
