Leading From the Sidelines: How Senior Owen Bruskern Continues to Anchor O’Dea Lacrosse While Injured

Seattle- In every lacrosse season, there are players whose impact goes far beyond goals, assists, or stat sheets. For O’Dea lacrosse, that player is senior midfielder Owen Bruskern — even now, as he battles through his knee injury that has kept him off the field. While the Irish miss his presence between the lines, his influence hasn’t faded. If anything, it has grown stronger. 

Bruskern entered his senior year with one clear mission: “My biggest goal is to help lead this team and win the championship,” he said earlier in the season. That goal didn’t change when he got hurt. Instead, it reshaped the way he leads.

Rather than stepping back, Bruskern stepped up — becoming a voice, a mentor, and a steady presence for a team navigating the toughest stretch of its schedule. At practices, he’s the one pulling younger players aside, breaking down matchups, and helping teammates understand the pace and physicality of varsity lacrosse. During games, he’s on the sideline reading the field, calling out adjustments, and keeping the team locked in. 

“I’m going to help this team by being a leader,” he said — and he’s lived up to that promise in every way. 

Coaches praise his maturity and his ability to stay engaged despite the frustration of being sidelined. Teammates talk about how he brings energy to the locker room, keeps morale high, and holds everyone accountable. Even without a stick in his hands, Bruskern has become the emotional and strategic anchor of the Irish. 

His injury has also given him a new perspective. Watching from the sideline has sharpened his understanding of spacing, tempo, and decision‑making — insights he shares freely with the younger midfielders stepping into bigger roles. His presence has helped stabilize a team still finding its identity midway through the season. 

As O’Dea pushes into the second half, the Irish know they’ll need every ounce of leadership they can get. And while Bruskern hopes to return, his influence is already felt in every huddle, every timeout, and every moment the team needs direction. 

In a season defined by adversity, O’Dea has found strength in the steady leadership of a senior who refuses to let an injury stop him from shaping the team’s future