Jupiter (FL) and Sweetlax National Defenseman Reef Kabalin has committed to continue his education and play DIII lacrosse at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. Reef pushed himself hard academically to qualify for the highest institutions in our country, and while he received many offers including multiple on the D1 level, he is very excited to commit to Wesleyan.
Kabalin is considered a special talent by his coaches, noting that he is a great "locker room guy" with strong communication skills, and one of the hardest working players in the Jupiter program, whose competitiveness is always evident, even in training. His teammates will tell you that these attributes make the players around him better, thanks to his leadership and communication on defense, while always having their back on a slide. His opponents will tell you that any defense Reef has played in has been a good one. At 6'3" he is a physical presence on the field, a menacing defender with great strength, excellent footwork, and the ability to throw multiple checks without losing position on his opponent, he is seemingly always in the right place at the right time. He also has the ability to play LSM and push the ball in transition and has occasionally faced-off. Reef is also praised by those around him for being very reliable both on and off the field.
There seems to be a lot more to Reef than just lacrosse though, which is likely why he had remained uncommitted for as long as he did. Reef believes in always broadening your horizons, taking on different experiences and checking out what the world has to offer. He is avid on the water, as many are in the area, and even swims varsity at Jupiter. Reef is also Student Government President and a Member of the National Honor Society. His teammates call him a scholar in the classroom. Reef will likely start out at Wesleyan in business courses but has a strong interest in the medical and veterinary fields, and he has even shadowed local vets during surgeries. But he is still out there experiencing new interests, so he is remaining open minded, for now about his future.
Kabalin started playing lacrosse when he was 7 with the Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association where he also played flag football and baseball, but it's lacrosse that he stuck with as he would move on to play for Nick O'Hara and Danny Loftus on the Blue Devils club team (his current High School coaches at Jupiter) and the U-9 Storm team that went on an incredible undefeated run for Coach Mike Hasner. Ulitmately he ended up playing club for Sweetlax National and Coach Kevin Martin who he credits with navigating him through the college recruitment process and helping him to determine the school that was the best fit for him. Not only will Wesleyan satisfy him academically and athletically, but Reef feels he will greatly benefit from the Cardinal's coaching staff, and is excited about how methodically Head Coach John Raba can break down situations in order to correct flaws. Seems like a great fit for a defenseman who is receptive to coaches input and eager to make in practice and in game adjustments. A kid known to strive for consistency, commits to a college program that is also known for it's consistency, especially under Coach Raba, as the Cardinals have not endured a losing season since 1997, which was Raba's first at the helm in Middletown. Raba has spent the last 24 years coaching Wesleyan to a 281-118 record, winning 2 NESCAC titles, enjoying 4 NCAA Final Four appearances and recently led the Cardinals to their first national championship in 2018 with an 8-6 win over Salisbury. Don't you get the feeling Reef knows he will be in very good hands in Connecticut?
Article written by Larry Palumbo, released on September 7, 2020 @ 14:00 EST
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