On Thursday, Jan. 25, 2017, Central Bucks East seniors Brant Billingsley and Michael Ott were recognized for committing to continue their lacrosse careers at the collegiate level. (Photos provided courtesy of CB East Lacrosse and David Campbell/Bucks County Herald)
Brant Billingsley – Colorado College (Lacrosse)
Major: Business
Reasons for choosing Colorado College: “It’s a great education and it’s a school that maybe I wouldn’t be able to get into without lacrosse, so I kind of used lacrosse to elevate me to get into a great school that will set me up for the future.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I didn’t really get a lot of recruiting exposure, so I kind of found schools that I really liked and went to those prospect days, and as soon as I got an offer from Colorado College, I was all in.
“I knew that I wanted to play in college, (but I) never knew where. As I got older, I kind of figured out that I just wanted a really good school that made me happy.”
Coach Bruce Garcia says: “Brant is a midfielder. He is insatiable as far as his ability to control the offense. The speed that Brant brings to an offense is going to be missed next year. His ability to lead when he’s on the field – it’s noticeable. His defensive skills are on par with any of our other strongest defensive middies that we’ve put out in the past.
“Both Brant and Michael wouldn’t be where they are today without the guy next to them, the other 26 players on the team. Both of these guys are taken care of by all the other players on the team, and they make sure that they succeed.”
About Brant:
Favorite food: Lemon Chicken
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: Brant Billingsley
Michael Ott – Rutgers University (Lacrosse)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Rutgers, Monmouth, Providence, Richmond, Villanova
Reasons for choosing Rutgers: “I really liked the atmosphere that Rutgers has to offer and the school (itself). I really loved the coaching staff – they just knew the game, and I really clicked with them. I knew it was the right fit.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in lacrosse at the collegiate level? “In ninth and 10th grade, I was always told that I could if I really tried, and then in 10th grade, I started competing at a high level for summer programs. I started to win some faceoffs, and my coach told me that there were some schools that were interested in me and I just had to work at it, so I started working at it and I knew I could play and compete with anyone if I really tried.”
Coach Bruce Garcia says: “Michael Ott is going on to play at Rutgers, which is definitely an up and coming powerhouse in Division I men’s lacrosse. Michael is a faceoff (specialist) and midfielder. His ability to faceoff belies his age, and I guess that is why he’s going to Rutgers. He was a first team midfielder last year in our conference. Michael is dialed in 110 percent, and that’s what makes him good at what he does, no matter what he does. There is no compromise. He’s just dialed in to win at what he’s doing or to dominate at what he’s doing. He’s one of those guys when the game’s on the line, the winners – they want the ball, and he’s one of those guys. He really wants the ball, and he’s definitely a game changer.”
About Michael:
Favorite food: Chicken Fingers and Fries
Favorite movie: Batman: The Dark Knight
Favorite music: All music
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