By Nathan Max
WSL Executive Editor

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- Chaparral rising senior Kody Klimes has traveled across the country this summer looking to get recruited.

Klimes, the starting goalie for Arizona’s defending state champion, played in tournaments in Maryland and New England before participating in the inaugural Adrenaline Showcase on Wednesday and Thursday at Sonoma State University. And, Klimes said, even though his team lost all three games, he couldn’t be happier.

“Here, you know every coach is going to get to see you play at least once,” Klimes said. “You get a lot more exposure here.”

CLICK HERE FOR ADRENALINE SHOWCASE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF RECRUITERS

At the Adrenaline Showcase, about 120 players were divided into six teams, each playing three games over two days on two fields. Start times were staggered, giving coaches a chance to switch fields whenever they wanted.

And there were plenty of coaches. Dozens of top recruiters, many of whom will be sticking around for the upcoming Adrenaline Shootout, said they liked what they saw.

“I think (the Showcase) is a great way to combine with the team camp,” Notre Dame head coach Kevin Corrigan said. “It gives these guys a chance to come out and play with just the elite players.

“As a recruiter, the two things you like to see are guys playing in a good team setting and guys playing against good competition. I think the combination of these two events gives us the chance to see both of those things.”

Corrigan added that, after watching this year’s Adrenaline Showcase, he believes the level of play in the Western United States continues to improve.

“There are more good lacrosse players here than there used to be,” Corrigan said. “The overall level of lacrosse skill and knowledge is improving out here every year. The challenge for these guys is to continue to get the great athletes to continue to play the game.”

Whittier head coach Brian Kelly said he has also seen substantial improvement.

“I think most of the kids here can be impact Division III players,” Kelly said. “It’s definitely come a long way. Five to 10 years ago, you might find a handful of kids at these events. Now, you can justify calling anybody.”

The best part of the Adrenaline Showcase seems to be the size.

“You don’t feel like you’re spreading yourself too thin or missing any players," Kelly said. "Every kid here is good, and you get to see everybody.”

As for Klimes, who will continue to play this weekend at the Adrenaline Shootout with the Arizona Starz, the Adrenaline Showcase gave him one of the best recruiting opportunities he’s had all summer, he said.

“It’s a great event,” Klimes said. “It’s a lot of fun. There’s about the same amount of coaches here as at Top 205, fewer players and the weather is better.”