On The Field With NHS Head Lacrosse Coach, Tom Pettit 

What makes this year’s Nolensville lacrosse team unique compared to last season’s squad?

 The biggest difference between this year and last year is we are a much younger team this year. We do have a large senior class, but we’re going to have a lot of younger players playing very important roles in very important games.

Who are the key returning players, and what leadership or skills do they bring back to the team? 

Our senior captains are our best players and our leaders this year. Goalie Braden Olsen,  attackman Aaron Sylvester, midfielder Landon Bowman, and defensemen Zach Hueneke and Hudson Trautman have a ton of experience. They’ve been in three straight state championship final games and have won two state titles.

Are there any new players joining the program this year, and how have they adjusted so far? 

Our freshman class is the strongest freshman class you’ve ever had at Nolensville. With 15 freshmen, competition at practices is fierce and the potential for a bright future is there. 

What are your primary expectations and goals for the team this season? 

We have very high expectations for our team this year and fully expect to be back in the state championship game. We know we have a lot of work to do and it won’t be easy, but we’re hoping to be playing our best lacrosse in May.

How are you building team chemistry and unity among both new and
returning players? 

We anticipate a lot of bumps along our journey to the playoffs. Injuries are always something to deal with so having a deep bench is important. We understand there’s a process and we strive to improve every single day.

Are there any games or matchups on the schedule that you’re especially looking forward to? 

We’re really looking forward to our region games. It’s important for us to be successful in these games to set us up for our playoff run. We’re also looking forward to playing rival Wilco teams like Ravenwood, Brentwood and Franklin. Our schedule also includes some games with the states’ best private school programs like MBA, MUS, and Baylor.  

What would define a successful 2026 season for Nolensville lacrosse? 

A successful season will be defined by two things. Are we having fun and are we getting better. We want to make sure that our players are having a good time playing lacrosse. If we’re having fun, we’re working hard and we’ll be successful on the field. We also want to make sure that we’re getting better every time we’re on the field. We want to improve our skills, our lacrosse IQ, or become a better teammate in every practice or game.