University of North Carolina Athletics
Meet The Freshman: Johnny Schwarz
January 21, 2022 | Men's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL – Our "Meet the Freshman" series rolls on as we introduce another member of the 2021 incoming class. Next up is Inside Lacrosse Top 100 recruit, ranked 13th in the class, Top-five ranked midfielder in the class by Inside Lacrosse, 2021 US Lacrosse All-America, 2021 Under Armor All-America, Nike NASG All-America, and Wading River, N.Y., native Johnny Schwarz.
Clifton: When did you start playing lacrosse, and how did you get into it?
Schwarz: I started playing lacrosse when I was young. A family friend Steve Lachenmeyer introduced me to lacrosse. His son Jeffrey who plays at Navy said I had to try it out, and I started playing. I soon fell in love with the sport and have been playing ever since.
Clifton: Why did you choose to come to UNC?
Schwarz: Honestly, I love the culture here. Coach Breschi always preaches "Family, Academics, and Lacrosse." UNC was one of the top choices when I was in the recruiting process. Everything about the school I loved, even coming down to the colors. UNC is just fantastic overall.
Clifton: How does it feel to play lacrosse at the highest level with your brother as one of your teammates?
Schwarz: It's a dream come true, honestly. You always dream when you're younger to play at the highest level with your brother. It's cool to play with my brother you have grown with, and you are so close with especially being a twin brother. Now playing together at a prestigious school like UNC with all these great guys it's just a dream come true.
Clifton: In short summary, describe Coach Breschi?
Schwarz: He's a complete players coach and family man. I talk to many guys from other schools, and it's just lacrosse for them, but Coach Breschi really cares about his players and everybody around him. You see him in his office, and he always asks how you are doing and how's class going. I love how he deeply cares about everybody on the team.
Clifton: You and your brother are from the same town and went to the same high school as Chris Gray. How does it feel to play with a player of his caliber, knowing you all grew up in the same area?
Schwarz: Yeah, it's great me and my brother played with him for one year back home. Both our families are friends, so I have known Chris for a while now. He was one of the big reasons my brother and I chose to come to UNC. Chris and his family always told us how they fell in love with UNC when they first set foot on campus. They said the coaches and players were great, so that's one of the reasons why we came here. Chris is a great guy and player, and it's incredible to play with him again at the highest level. He makes every guy around him a better person and a better player.
Clifton: Talk about your playing style and what you bring to the team here at UNC?
Schwarz: I'm more of a downhill type of player instead of a quick dodger because I have always been bigger than everybody. I know a midfielder usually shoots first, but I like to make that extra pass. I feel like my vision on the field is one of my most prominent attributes. Offense or defense doesn't matter to me. I just love playing the game.
Clifton: What do you like to do for fun outside of playing lacrosse?
Schwarz: Well, actually, over quarantine, I started playing the piano. I'm not that good, but I enjoy playing a few songs I taught myself. Back home, there were some woods behind our house, so me and my brother always enjoyed spending time outside and exploring the woods.
Clifton: What is something you can eat every day and never get tired of?
Schwarz: I would have to say chicken parmesan. I don't think you can mess it up that bad, but it sometimes depends on the sauce too.
Clifton: What celebrity or famous athlete would you like to meet?
Schwarz: I would like to meet Tom Brady. My family is New York Jets fans, so I respect him as a player as much as we hate him. He's a great leader, and you can see that playing football at his age and still dominating. He is also a winner, so if I could talk to him, he could give me some words of encouragement and teach me how to be the best version of myself.
Clifton: Finally, what do you look to accomplish individually and as a team during your time at UNC?
Schwarz: Individually, I want to do what the coaches tell me to do and do anything to help the team. Overall just be the best player I can be so I can support the team in any way possible. Team-wise the goal is to play hard to win as many ACC Championships and National Championships as possible.
Clifton: When did you start playing lacrosse, and how did you get into it?
Schwarz: I started playing lacrosse when I was young. A family friend Steve Lachenmeyer introduced me to lacrosse. His son Jeffrey who plays at Navy said I had to try it out, and I started playing. I soon fell in love with the sport and have been playing ever since.
Clifton: Why did you choose to come to UNC?
Schwarz: Honestly, I love the culture here. Coach Breschi always preaches "Family, Academics, and Lacrosse." UNC was one of the top choices when I was in the recruiting process. Everything about the school I loved, even coming down to the colors. UNC is just fantastic overall.
Clifton: How does it feel to play lacrosse at the highest level with your brother as one of your teammates?
Schwarz: It's a dream come true, honestly. You always dream when you're younger to play at the highest level with your brother. It's cool to play with my brother you have grown with, and you are so close with especially being a twin brother. Now playing together at a prestigious school like UNC with all these great guys it's just a dream come true.
Clifton: In short summary, describe Coach Breschi?
Schwarz: He's a complete players coach and family man. I talk to many guys from other schools, and it's just lacrosse for them, but Coach Breschi really cares about his players and everybody around him. You see him in his office, and he always asks how you are doing and how's class going. I love how he deeply cares about everybody on the team.
Clifton: You and your brother are from the same town and went to the same high school as Chris Gray. How does it feel to play with a player of his caliber, knowing you all grew up in the same area?
Schwarz: Yeah, it's great me and my brother played with him for one year back home. Both our families are friends, so I have known Chris for a while now. He was one of the big reasons my brother and I chose to come to UNC. Chris and his family always told us how they fell in love with UNC when they first set foot on campus. They said the coaches and players were great, so that's one of the reasons why we came here. Chris is a great guy and player, and it's incredible to play with him again at the highest level. He makes every guy around him a better person and a better player.
Clifton: Talk about your playing style and what you bring to the team here at UNC?
Schwarz: I'm more of a downhill type of player instead of a quick dodger because I have always been bigger than everybody. I know a midfielder usually shoots first, but I like to make that extra pass. I feel like my vision on the field is one of my most prominent attributes. Offense or defense doesn't matter to me. I just love playing the game.
Clifton: What do you like to do for fun outside of playing lacrosse?
Schwarz: Well, actually, over quarantine, I started playing the piano. I'm not that good, but I enjoy playing a few songs I taught myself. Back home, there were some woods behind our house, so me and my brother always enjoyed spending time outside and exploring the woods.
Clifton: What is something you can eat every day and never get tired of?
Schwarz: I would have to say chicken parmesan. I don't think you can mess it up that bad, but it sometimes depends on the sauce too.
Clifton: What celebrity or famous athlete would you like to meet?
Schwarz: I would like to meet Tom Brady. My family is New York Jets fans, so I respect him as a player as much as we hate him. He's a great leader, and you can see that playing football at his age and still dominating. He is also a winner, so if I could talk to him, he could give me some words of encouragement and teach me how to be the best version of myself.
Clifton: Finally, what do you look to accomplish individually and as a team during your time at UNC?
Schwarz: Individually, I want to do what the coaches tell me to do and do anything to help the team. Overall just be the best player I can be so I can support the team in any way possible. Team-wise the goal is to play hard to win as many ACC Championships and National Championships as possible.
Players Mentioned
Attackman
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Midfielder
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