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FAIRFIELD, Conn. Robert Rotanz has been around successful lacrosse teams for nearly a decade, winning three state championships with Fairfield Prep and a national championship with Duke University in 2010. Now a senior with the Blue Devils, Rotanz is tearing up the lacrosse field this season with 21 goals in 11 games. The Daily Fairfield recently caught up with the Westport native on the phone.
The Daily Fairfield: So Robert, youre winding down your senior season. Can you reflect on your years at Duke?
Robert Rotanz: Coming here turned out to be a great decision for me playing at the highest level against teams I grew up watching like Virginia, North Carolina, Syracuse and Maryland. Its awesome to go out there and play against them its an honor.
TDF: How did playing for Fairfield Prep prepare you for Division I lacrosse competition?
RR: I played against the best competition you could face in Connecticut Darien, New Canaan and teams like that. So coming in I was pretty prepared to play against some of the top athletes in the country.
The tri-state area has some of the best lacrosse anywhere. We got to play some of the Top 10 high school teams in the U.S. And that really helps you when you get to the next level because we were already playing in sort of a semi-college atmosphere.
TDF: Youre having a fantastic season for Duke as one of its top offensive threats. Are you hoping to go out as part of a national championship team?
RR: Ive been fortunate to have some success this season and Im hoping to carry that forward. Im just trying to make this last season count and not have any regrets once I hang up the cleats after this season.
Ive tasted a national championship, and I think this team is talented enough to maybe make another run at the championship. Were starting to show some of that teamwork that got us there two years ago.
TDF: Do you have any advice for young lacrosse players hoping to play Division I someday in college?
RR: Work on your offhand move and do well in the classroom. Grades are more than half the battle to get into these colleges.
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