LAKE MARY, Fla — Senior co-captain Josh Donovan is a leader on the Lake Mary High School boy's lacrosse team.

He also leads in the classroom, as he will attend an Ivy League school next fall — he plans to head up to Connecticut to continue his education at Yale University. 

He has a 4.72 weighted GPA and has been taking AP and dual enrollment classes since he was a freshman.

"It was my first choice since my parents, they both attended there," said Donovan. "Obviously, it has great academics, and I got in early and I really wanted to go there, so I picked it."

Donovan, who has been playing lacrosse since the first grade, learned the game from his mom, who competed at Yale.

"She had a good amount of knowledge compared to the people that were coaching me when I was younger, so my foundation of the game mostly came from her," said Donovan. "Practicing outside in my yard with her and her old wooden sticks, so she got me into it and she gives me tips and pointers when she notices something on the field."

This was the second season he was picked to be the team captain, a selection that was made by head coach Garrick Robinson.

"I think it’s a great experience," said Donovan. "I love to get out there and lead, but also like to create relationships with the guys and I think that gives me great opportunity to do so, especially with the younger guys."

He has been on the team for all four years of high school, but said this year's team has had the best chemistry.

"The younger guys make up a big part of our team," Donovan said. "On offense with me, there's four starters there, and then a junior and I’m the only senior. So as a unit, I think I've really been able to work with them and I've gotten to create great relationships with them.

"I just like the way we play and the bonds I got to make throughout those years in high school. I love the experience overall and I love playing this sport."