I have learned a lot about Eli and his journey throughout his athletic career. Ricci’s name is seen on many rosters, he plays football in the fall, wrestles in the winter, and plays lacrosse in the spring. Lacrosse is definitely his main sport, but he still thrives while playing football and wrestling.

Although lacrosse is his number one, he believes Friday night lights are unlike any other game he’s been a part of. All of the students and fans there make it so much more exciting, but that also comes with lots of pre-game nerves. “Home football games are a different feeling. it feels like you have the whole town of Victor cheering you on,” Eli said.

Ricci has learned a lot from being a underclassmen on varsity teams. The class of 2024 seniors had the greatest impact on Eli, he says they have impacted who he was not only as a player, but even more as the person he is today. The 2024 seniors on his lacrosse team were great role models to him, and taught him lots of life lessons. He looked up to guys like Jack Herendeen and Jackson Pallozzi. 

Looking back on what his favorite sports moment was, it took him a little bit to answer. I thought he was going to say his game winner against McQuaid, and he did. With 10 seconds left in the game, it was tied 10-10 and Victor had scored 3 goals straight to tie it. Ricci won the faceoff and went right to the goal. Coming downhill, nobody could stop him. He took a bounce shot past the goalie and into the net. Victor won the game 11-10

Interviewing Eli showed me how much upperclassmen can shape someones future. Eli has had the opportunity to learn so much from people older than him, and without that he says he wouldn’t be who he is today. I can’t wait to see what Eli does in the future with sports.