Johns Hopkins men’s lacrosse senior Jacob Angelus recently chatted with PressBox about posting nearly 400 points in high school, his advice for younger players and more. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound attackman scored 19 goals and dished out 20 assists for the Blue Jays in 2022. Angelus is a native of Chantilly, Va., and graduate of Paul VI.
PressBox: How did you become interested in lacrosse?
Jacob Angelus: My parents actually did not play lacrosse, so I wasn’t really familiar with the game until I was about 8 or 9 until one of my dad’s best friends, his son started playing so then I just started playing. I was always a soccer, baseball, football guy, but as soon as I started playing lacrosse I loved it. That’s kind of how I started.
PB: Who were the biggest influences on your game growing up?
JA: I always loved Steele Stanwick — all the Stanwicks, honestly. I always liked little guys like Joey Sankey, Jimmy Bitter, guys like that too. … My club coach, [Serge Trigiani], growing up was probably my biggest influence just because I had him from sixth grade all the way until I graduated high school. He pushed me to a limit that I didn’t know I had, so he was a guy that I owe a lot to.
PB: You posted 398 points during your career at Paul VI — and 84 goals as a senior. What was it like being the big man on campus?
JA: It was pretty cool. We had a great team my junior year and then a lot of guys left my senior year, so I had to take a big step in my game. It was a lot of fun playing there. I loved every moment of it. I had a lot of great teammates there that were really successful in lacrosse and still are today, so it was a lot of fun.
PB: Why did you choose to go to Hopkins?
JA: I committed as a freshman. I was looking at a lot of Big Ten schools, but they were the first to offer me. I was recruited by [Dave] Pietramala. I loved the coaching staff. I always loved following Hopkins. It was kind of like a dream come true, so when they offered me first, it was kind of a no-brainer.
PB: What’s your favorite memory so far at Hopkins?
JA: I’d say probably beating Syracuse at home last year was pretty cool.
PB: What’s your favorite thing about Baltimore?
JA: I love downtown, the places by the water, just the whole vibe by the water. I think it’s very interesting. I love Fells Point. I love the area by M&T. I think it’s a great sports town. I kind of love the whole downtown vibe.
PB: What’s your favorite thing about Hopkins?
JA: I think it’s a tight-knit group, especially with the athletics. There’s not exactly one big team that stands out, so it’s a lot of guys and girls together. Everyone kind of knows everyone.
PB: Who’s your best friend on the team and what’s a story that underscores your friendship?
JA: I’d probably say a kid I’ve lived with since freshman year, Ian Krampf. He plays attack. He’s No. 38. We’ve lived together from freshman year to now. It was in a dorm freshman year, then moved into a house sophomore year. I’d say I probably know him the best just because I’ve lived with him for so long now.
PB: Who was a player you looked up to when you first got to Hopkins?
JA: Definitely Joey Epstein. He was a guy that I played with in high school. He was just so good coming in. He was just a guy that carried himself very differently than anyone I’ve ever seen before, so I always looked up to him.
PB: What advice do you have for younger players who are in the recruiting process?
JA: Always keep your options open. I never thought Hopkins was going to be an option for me … but you’d be surprised how good you are if you really put yourself out there and give yourself a chance. I don’t think it really matters, your size or any of your accolades. If you put yourself in front of a coach and they like what they see, they’ll want you.
PB: You mentioned size. Have you ever had people tell you that you’re too small at 5-foot-7?
JA: Definitely in the recruiting process, my club coach would always joke with me that I’m too small. I’ve been hearing that for basically my whole life. I don’t think it’s really ever stopped me so far.
PB: What are your goals for after lacrosse?
JA: I just want to be a successful person. I think Hopkins lacrosse and the school in general has taught me to just always want more for myself. Athletics and lacrosse is great. If a career in lacrosse comes up, I’d love to pursue it but I just want to be a successful person, have a family and live a happy life.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Johns Hopkins Athletics
Issue 279: February/March 2023
Originally published Feb. 15, 2023