Rice program blooming behind talented tandem
Since their sophomore year, Tom Witte and Brennan Cira have played sideby-side on the Brother Rice lacrosse team. Both midfielders, the two have been the leaders of a Crusaders program that formed during the spring of 2011.
Back then, they barely knew one another. Now they are inseparable.
Witte and Cira, both seniors, make up the most formidable one-two punch in the state. According to the Illinois High School Lacrosse Association, Witte ranks second in the state with 41 goals, while Cira is fourth in Illinois with 21 assists. The combination is surprising for several reasons: They are playing for a school that has historically produced great players on the football field, not in lacrosse, and as midfielders, they have defensive responsibilities to go along with their knack for finding the back of the net.
According to Brother Rice coach Chris Hilliard, Witte and Cira are very similar.
“Both Tom and Brennan are outstanding players, and have been since being founding members of the team,” Hilliard said. “They are always on the same wavelength. I’m not exactly sure how they do it. But their talent and chemistry makes them so good together.
“And they each work so hard, and that feeds off to everyone else on the roster.”
The players have some similarities — to an extent. Both play lacrosse yearround, and they have some of the same skills, but there are also noticeable differences.
“I think as a duo our speed really separates us from other players,” Cira said.
Witte agreed, saying, “Our speed helps us get by defenders, but it’s our skill that helps put the ball in the goal.’’
Having quick feet and playing the same position is about where the similarities end. For one, Witte is a lefty, while Cira is a right-handed player. Plus, as Cira points out, “Tom is more of an attacking middy, while I’m more of a passer.”
Next season, both players will continue their lacrosse careers in college. Cira is committed to Illinois Wesleyan, while Witte plans to suit up for Notre Dame’s club team. However, their focus right now is helping the Crusaders win more games and advance in the upcoming state tournament.
“The program isn’t just about us or this season, it’s about building it for the future,” Witte said.
Cira added: “It’s about the growth of lacrosse at Brother Rice. It’s only our third year, but now we’re competitive with the teams on our sched- ule. We are building rivalries with the schools we play in other sports. It’s cool to see.”
For opponents, the sight of Cira feeding Witte for another Crusaders goal is something that’s not cool to see, but a sight seen quite often this season.