P.J. Kesmodel: Zen Master takes his team to the summit and retires
Back to the banquet has been the lacrosse boosters’ quest since the first state championship was won back in 2009 and celebrated inside the Lewes Yacht Club overlooking the Delaware Bay.
The Cordrey Center served as the perfect venue June 20 to close out an incredible season of 17-1 and an unmatched and unparalleled 50-year career for coach P.J. Kesmodel, the guy who won five state titles at Mt. Hebron – one boys’ and four girls’ titles – before coming to the Cape Region to retire.
The first inside lacrosse person who knew Kesmodel was living in the 227 exchange was boys’ coach Mark D'Ambrogi, who knew his reputation and said 10 years ago, “If that guy gets ahold of the girls’ program, look out.”
Cape lacrosse athletes have already transitioned to Eastern Shore Lacrosse league teams and played two tournaments. And there has been the four-day Vikings lacrosse camp supervised by Meg Bartley and Kesmodel with 150 kids participating and instructors fresh off Division I seasons.
“I want to emphasize that coach Gretchen Wyshock had developed a championship-caliber program when I showed up just to help out,” Kesmodel said. “She left to raise a family, but she is a big part of the success of this program. As are other pioneers.”
Fred Harvey, the good luck bus driver but more of a spiritual presence, gave the prayer before dinner, and later alumna Meg Bartley closed out the PG part of the story. In between, there was celebration and thanks for the incredible and improbable journey.
