College player scores big

Page 12

Delby Powless is proof that size does not matter.

The diminutive 22-year-old starred for the Iroquois Nationals' entry at the inaugural world box lacrosse championships, which concluded in late May in Hamilton.

At 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds, Powless was the smallest player on his team at the world event. Yet, he managed to lead his squad in scoring and came close to being the tournament's top point-getter.

Powless scored a tournament high 26 goals. He also added 19 assists in seven games to finish with 45 points. He ended up in a tie for second place in tournament scoring with Canada's John Grant Jr., just one point behind John Tavares, also a member of Team Canada.

And Powless was one of the main reasons why the Iroquois Nationals' side was able to win the silver medal at the six-team tourney. Canada defeated the Native squad 21-4 in the gold-medal match.

Powless collected 10 points (six goals, four assists) in the Iroquois Nationals' tournament opening 19-12 victory over Scotland.

The Americans, who ended up with the bronze medal, were not able to shut down Powless in round-robin action. Powless picked up nine points, including four goals, as his side defeated the U.S. 21-14.

Powless, though, was not able to pick up as many points as he would have liked against the Canadians. He had two goals and one assist in the Iroquois Nationals' 15-13 loss to Canada in round-robin play. And Powless scored two of his team's four goals in the final.

For Powless, this marked the third time he has represented the Iroquois Nationals at a world meet.

He was a member of the squad that captured a silver medal at world under-19 field lacrosse championships in Adelaide, Australia in 1999. And he was on the men's team that placed fourth at the world field tournament last summer in Perth, Australia.

Powless said he's been asked many times why he's not also toiling in the professional National Lacrosse League (NLL). The answer is a simple one. He wants to finish his education first.

Playing in the NLL would mean he would lose his eligibility to compete in the U.S. collegiate ranks.

"I just figured I'd get my education first," said Powless, who is studying sociology at Rutgers. "The league is still going to be there when I get out."