WHS Try Lax
Helping to spread the sport of lacrosse
Join us to learn about lacrosse and be a part of the lacrosse community.
FREE Lacrosse Clinics - For Kids of ALL Experience Levels
Youth Lacrosse Training for Ages 6 - 12
The Westlake High School Try Lax Club provides skills training in the sport of lacrosse (or "LAX") for elementary and middle school kids interested in learning the fundamentals of the sport or improving their game.
These events are provided at no
charge by the Try Lax team of volunteers, who are seasoned athletes playing on the Westlake Lacrosse team.
All lacrosse-related gear - including helmets, pads and lacrosse sticks - will be provided for kids free of charge.
What to Bring to the Try LAX Event
Participants need to wear appropriate sports attire and footwear.
Clothing & Footwear:
- T-Shirt
- Athletic shorts
- Cleats (not baseball)
Recommended Protective Gear:
- Mouthguard
- Groin protector/Athletic cup
A bottle of water is also highly recommended.
Try LAX Activity Waiver
Lacrosse is a fast-paced, contact sport. All participants need to be prepared to have fun and be safe.
To participate, a parent or guardian needs to execute the WHS Try LAX Club activity waiver form. A copy of this form can be downloaded from this website. Waiver forms will also be available at the Try Lax Events.
Executed waiver forms should be given to WHS Try Lax volunteers at the Try Lax Events.
About WHS Try Lax
The WHS Try Lax Club is dedicated to promoting the sport of lacrosse among young athletes. The coaching staff is comprised of student athletes from Westlake High School, located in Thousand Oaks, California.
LEARN THE BASICS
Our mission is to put a lacrosse stick in the hands of interested kids and teach the them the fundamentals of the sport. We love the sport of lacrosse and are eager to teach kids in our community.
NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NEEDED
The WHS Try Lax Events are designed for kids at ALL skill levels. The coaching sessions are helpful for kids who have never picked up a stick as well as more experienced players interested in improving their skills. The WHS Try Lax Club volunteers have many years of experience coaching newbies and league champions.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Newcomers to the sport of lacrosse are welcome. We provide helmets, pads, sticks, and gloves. Kids simply need to show up ready to learn.
Meet Our Coaches
Aviel Cohen
President & Co-Founder, WHS Try Lax
Avi is the President and Founder of the WHS Try Lax Club. He is currently a Senior at Westlake High School, located in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Avi is a starting defenseman on the Varsity Westlake Lacrosse team and Captain of the Rockets Lacrosse Club. He is also a starting defenseman for Ronin Lacrosse Club. Avi has been playing lacrosse for over a decade. He coached youth lacrosse in his local communities for 3 years at the U-14 Division of the Newbury Park Prowlers and U-14 Division of the United Lacrosse Club - where his teams won two consecutive SCLA Championships. Avi is also a goalie for the Westlake Water Polo team.
Jonah (Yoni) Cohen
Co-Founder & Media Director, WHS Try Lax
Yoni is the Co-Founder and Media Director of the WHS Try Lax Club. He is a Sophomore at Westlake High School.
Yoni was Captain of the Junior Varsity Westlake Lacrosse team in his Freshman year. He is also a starting midfielder for Rockets Lacrosse Club, Ronin Lacrosse Club, Mint LC, and UNRL National. Over the past 10 years, Yoni has been played in various positions, including midfield, attack, and goalie. In his first year of coaching youth lacrosse, Yoni's 10-U team won the SCLA Championship.
Feodor Yurkov
Volunteer Coach, WHS Try Lax
Feodor Yurkov is a Senior at Westlake High School and a WHS Try Lax coaching volunteer.
Feodor is a starting midfielder on the Varsity Westlake Lacrosse team and the Rockets Lacrosse Club. In the 2024 season, he selected to 2nd Team All CIF, 1st Team All Marmonte, and as February 2024 Athlete of the Month at Westlake HS. In 2024, Feodor was a youth lacrosse coach for the U-10 Division of United Lacrosse Club where his team won the SCLA Championship.
Merrick Corpuz
Volunteer Coach, WHS Try Lax
Merrick Corpuz is a Senior at Westlake High School and a WHS Try Lax coaching volunteer.
Merrick is midfielder on the Varsity Westlake Lacrosse team and the Rockets Lacrosse Club. He also a midfielder with 3D California, Mad Dog LA, and Mad Dog West Elite. Merrick has been playing lacrosse for almost a decade. In 2024, he was a youth lacrosse coach for the U-8 division of United Lacrosse Club. Merrick is currently working on obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
Sterling Shapiro
Volunteer Coach, WHS Try Lax
Sterling Shapiro is a Sophomore at Westlake High School and a WHS Try Lax coaching volunteer.
Sterling was a starting attackman on the Junior Varsity Westlake Lacrosse team and the Rockets Lacrosse Club. He is also a starting attackman on Mad Dog LA and Mad Dog West Elite. In 2024, Sterling was a youth lacrosse coach for the U-8 Newbury Park Prowlers.
Coach Jon Gillette
Faculty Advisor, WHS Try Lax
In his ninth year coaching at Westlake High School, Coach Gillette is entering his second year as Varsity assistant after three years each as F/S and JV assistant. Prior to coaching at Westlake, he coached CYBA as a senior in high school, and various sports for the youth sports program at the Simi Valley Family YMCA for six years.
Coach Gillette was a multi-sport athlete throughout high school and graduated from Westlake High School in 2008. Coach earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 2012 from CSU Channel Islands. He then went on to earn his Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics in 2013 from CSUCI as well. In August 2022, Coach earned his Master of Mathematics from Central Methodist University.
Coach Gillette is in his third year teaching math at Westlake High School, after spending the first eight years teaching high school and middle school math at Century Academy.
Mason Thomas
Program Director, Davis Boys, Harlem Lacrosse LA
Mason was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He started playing lacrosse in 7th grade and coaching lacrosse by his senior year of high school. He went on to play DIII football at the University of La Verne where he got his B.S. in Psychology and later played club lacrosse at Claremont Graduate University where he received his M.A. in Positive Developmental Psychology and Evaluation. Before Harlem Lacrosse, Mason worked as an Evaluation Associate for the Claremont Evaluation Evaluation Center, working specifically with non-profits that specialize in positive youth development through sports as well as a Program Leader for After-School All-Stars. Mason joined Harlem Lacrosse in the Spring of 2023 as the Boys Program Director at Davis Middle School in Compton, CA.
“Empowering young athletes through lacrosse can create lasting impact beyond the game itself.”
― WHS Try Lax