Senior captain balances lacrosse with music, theater

Three days before the student production “Good Morning Karina” was set to open on February 25, the drama department contacted varsity lacrosse captain Orion Milazzo. After some last-minute changes, the show needed an audio technician, and cast members were hoping that Milazzo, a senior, could fill in.

“Basically, I learned the whole show in three days,” Milazzo said. “That was my first show, and I’ve done every show since then.”

Having played football and lacrosse since he transferred to Saratoga High during his sophomore year, Milazzo also works as a theater technician and plays in three ensembles for the school orchestra.

Milazzo also joined lacrosse as a sophomore. Back then, he didn’t have any plans to play lacrosse long term, but quickly fell in love with the sport. He currently has several offers to play Division II and Division III lacrosse, but remains unsure about playing lacrosse after high school.

With orchestra, theatre and lacrosse, Milazzo’s calendar is stacked — he has orchestra during the day, with an additional “eighth-period” symphony orchestra practice from either 2:30 to 3:45 on Blue Days or 6:30 to 8:30 on others. Because lacrosse practice takes place from 7 to 9 p.m, he occasionally has to miss either orchestra or lacrosse practice.

“It’s a real challenge to balance,” Milazzo said. “If you look at my calendar on my phone, it’s ridiculous.”

Milazzo, nonetheless, tries his best to manage. When he first spoke to the Falcon in March, he explained that he was in the process of dropping orchestra to make more time for lacrosse and theater but decided to stick with it.

Senior midfield Kylash Krishnamurthy, who has played lacrosse alongside Milazzo since sophomore year, said that his teammate’s passion for the sport shows in every practice.

“He pushes everyone to go their hardest,” Krishnamurthy said. “But he’s also pretty laid back off the field.”

While Milazzo hasn’t decided whether he will continue to play in college, the sport has been a mainstay of his high school experience.

“When you watch a game, it looks as though it's controlled chaos,” Milazzo said. “I like that fast pace and strategy that comes with it.”