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Berwick Academy Welcomes Garrett McLean as New Varsity Boys Lacrosse Coach

Berwick Academy Director of Athletics Rob Quinn and Head of School Jim Hamilton have announced Garrett McLean as the new head coach of the boys varsity lacrosse program. McLean spent the previous three seasons as a boys lacrosse assistant coach and defensive coordinator at St. Thomas Aquinas.
McLean brings a wealth of lacrosse coaching experience to the Hilltop. Prior to his role at St. Thomas, he spent five seasons as the head coach of York High School. Along with setting a career record for wins, McLean emphasized the importances of academics. He coached two Academic All-Americans, 24 Western Maine Conference (WMC) All-Conference selections, and 16 WMC All-Academic selections. 

McLean is also currently in his third year as head coach and program director of 4 Leaf Lacrosse out of Hooksett, NH, where he evaluates over 600 athletes within 4 Leaf’s varied girls and boys programs and is tasked with leading the clubs programming and outreach in the Maine region.

"I'm really excited to be coming to Berwick Academy," said McLean. "There is a ton of potential with Berwick's dedication to academics and the beautiful campus. The lacrosse program has a great core group of players that I'm looking forward to working with and adding to."

McLean becomes just the fourth head coach of the Berwick boys lacrosse program in the last 32 years. After 26 years at the helm of the, Bill Clapp stepped down after the 2019 season, but continues to be involved with the team as an assistant coach. After a canceled COVID season, Sam Harding took over as head coach from 2021-2023. Most recently, the team was led by Brendan Bigos, posting a 8-6 record last spring. 

McLean is no stranger to stabilizing a program after a stretch of coaching changes. His stint at York High School came on the heels of the program introducing three coaches in a four year span. “A coaching carousel does not really foster trust in the player-coach relationship, so I need to show the boys that I am as invested in this team and their success as they are,” said McLean.

The team will return a strong core with rising junior Ebbin Perkins (Dover, NH) reaching the 100 point milestone in just two seasons with the Bulldogs on May 17 against Beaver Country Day School. Senior Mateo Corcoran (York, ME), who has verbally committed to play Division I lacrosse at the College of the Holy Cross, will lead the defensive unit along with Eastern Independent League Honorable Mention recipient Spencer Benecchi (Ogunquit, ME) in net.

Quinn expressed enthusiasm about the new appointment. "Garrett McLean’s vision for the lacrosse program aligns seamlessly with our school’s goals,” he said. “We are confident that his expertise and leadership will elevate our team’s performance and enhance the overall athletic and academic experience for our student-athletes."

An active member of the Seacoast community, McLean sits on the Marshwood Youth Lacrosse Board of Directors, is involved in Southern Maine Big Brother Big Sister, and volunteers at Powderhouse Ski Hill. He won two high school state lacrosse championships, one in New Hampshire and one in New Jersey, before becoming a three-year starting defenseman at Wheaton College in Norton, MA. He currently resides in South Berwick.
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Berwick Academy

31 Academy Street
South Berwick, Maine 03908

Contact:
Admission | 207.384.6300
Main Office | 207.384.2164
Berwick Academy, situated on an 80-acre campus just over one hour north of Boston, serves 520 students, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Postgraduates. Berwick students are from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and several countries. Deeply committed to its mission of promoting virtue and useful knowledge, Berwick Academy empowers students to be creative and bold. Berwick strives to graduate alumni who shape their own learning, take risks, ask thoughtful questions, and come to understand and celebrate their authentic selves.

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