Ryan Bell Receives Suffolk Lacrosse Enners Award

Garden City NY

02 October, 2021

9:51 AM

Description

Congratulations to Ryan Bell, the 2021 recipient of the Lt. Ray Enners Award as the most outstanding high school lacrosse player in Suffolk County. The prestigious award is presented annually by the Suffolk County Boys Lacrosse Coaches Association, Section XI Athletics, to the player who best exemplifies courage, teamwork, skill and leadership. The award is named in memory of Raymond Enners, a champion high school lacrosse player and outstanding player for the United States Military Academy at West Point. Lieutenant Enners was killed in action in Vietnam during 1968. He posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. In addition to the local lacrosse award, an award in Enners' memory is presented annually to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s most outstanding player in men's college lacrosse. _______ Past Suffolk County recipients of the Lt. Ray Enners Award. _______ Productive Senior Season Bell was a four-year starter and team captain at Smithtown High School West. Originally a midfielder, he was switched to attack during his senior season and the adjustment led him to a very productive season with 94 points (37 goals and 57 assists). An All-American, All-Long Island and All-Suffolk County selection as a senior, Bell was a leader on the field as he often succeeded in multiple positions and scenarios. “Ryan was the Swiss army knife for our team, excelling anywhere on the field,” said Smithtown West Coach Bobby Moltisanti. “Be it on offense, defense, faceoff wings or even our man down team, Ryan was up for the challenge. His work ethic and willingness to learn make Ryan a pleasure to coach. His dedication, both on and off the field, have earned Ryan a scholarship to Providence College, where he will study business marketing and play Division I Lacrosse.” Bell read about Lt. Enners once he learned about the honor. It came as a pleasant surprise that he won an award named after an American hero with such selfless leadership qualities. “It’s a true honor to win the Enners award,” said Bell. “He was an amazing man that fought for his country and it is an honor for myself to represent him.” Bell’s best high school lacrosse memory was beating (18-13) cross-town rival Smithtown East. At Providence, he will compete in the Big East. His goal at the next level is to be part of something special and do his part for the team. “My favorite thing about the game of lacrosse is that it’s a team game,” added Bell. “You can’t just win with one guy, everyone has to come together to win and that’s what makes it so much fun.”