Duluth, MN (6/13/2008) Nine Bulldogs received invitation to play for the USA West Men's Lacrosse team.  USA West lacrosse was established in 1999 to give lacrosse players from non-traditional lacrosse regions an opportunity to play at the highest international level.  Athletes eligible for selection are elite-level MCLA  players, NCAA players from select varsity programs in Western conferences and locales, and NCAA players at Eastern varsity programs who played high school lacrosse in the West.  USA West has historically field's a formidable team. USA West teams have traveled to Japan, England, Australia, China, Germany and the Czech Republic, winning every tournament that they've entered, and have played against the Iroquois Nation, Team USA, The Australian National Team and others.

The nine Bulldogs that received invitations are: Casey Mithun (Jr. Apple Valley), Scott Wishart (Jr. Mounds View), Pete Nelson (Sr. Roseville), Dan Pitzl (Soph. Totino Grace), Nate Goertz (Sr. Minneapolis So.), Brian Hochman (Jr. Bloomington Kennedy), Todd Frykman (Sr. Maple Grove), Charlie Nesser (Soph. Totino Grace) and Jake Launert (Sr. Bloomington Jefferson).   As Jake Launert graduated, and was starting his employment by taking non-delayable classes a major corporation's  management training center in late June,  he could not accept his invitation.  All 8 other Bulldogs accepted their invitation.

Second team All Americans Charlie Nesser and Dan Pitzl are excited about the opportunity.  Defenseman Nesser commented, "I'd always dreamed about representing my country, and I cannot believe I get to do that in the sport I love."  Midfielder Pitzl noted, "I've been all over the country to play lacrosse, and I cannot imagine how amazing it will be to play internationally."

This year's squad will be flying to San Francisco on June 16, participating in some practices there and then flying to Japan.  First, they will stay in Fukuoka, playing 3 games against various Japanese teams.  Then they take the world famous "bullet train" to Osaka for 3 more games. While in Japan, the team members will stay in hotels as well as with Japanese families, as well as taking the full sightseeing opportunities in Osaka.  All in all it will be 15 amazing days for some amazing players.