Ben Wahler
Chris Walsch
Evan Smith
Ben Wahler
Denver
Ben is an experienced and recognized member of the lacrosse community for his performance and leadership skills as a student-athlete and team captain at the University of Denver, and for his high school coaching and individual development accomplishments.
Prior to attending DU, Ben attended Cushing Academy in central Mass to pursue his dream of becoming a college hockey or lacrosse player. He then played a year of Junior Hockey in the EJHL before his ambition was met by being recruited to Hobart College as a two-sport athlete. During his freshman year, Ben recognized his growing intention of pursuing his longer term professional goals and was presented with an opportunity to head back near his hometown of CO and continue his story as a member of the Denver Pioneers.
Ben is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience by helping young players reach their potential on and off the field. He is currently the head of Global Communications and Experience at Deckers Brands and a Varsity coach at Dos Pueblos High School.
Chris Walsch
Air Force
Chris Walsch brings his lacrosse experience to Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara from Baltimore, MD and Colorado Springs, CO where he played attack for the United States Air Force Academy's Division-1 lacrosse team. He helped the Falcons to 2 Southern Conference championships as well as 2 NCAA tournament appearances.
Walsch is a two-time Honorable Mention USILA/Nike All-American (2016, 2017) … two-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Year (2016, 2017)…Two-time All-SoCon first-team…started in every career game in AF Lacrosse career… the Academy’s first-ever Tewaaraton watch list player and led Air Force in goals and points every year…He also holds the Air Force program record for career points (183).
Chris is now stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base doing top-secret work for our country and loves coaching lacrosse as often as possible in his spare time.
Evan Smith is the Defensive Coordinator for Santa Barbara High School and is one of the head coaches for Riptide Lacrosse. He and also serves as the Santa Barbara City College Men's Lacrosse Coaching Staff as the Defensive Coordinator.
Smith brought his lacrosse experience to Santa Barbara from Tr-Cities, WA where he was a Youth and High School Head Coach for the Mid-Columbia Elite Club. Evan is certified as a “Level 3” coach by US Lacrosse.
Smith played Defense for the Three Rivers Club in Tri-Cities, WA from 2009 – 2013 where he served as Captain his senior year and helped lead his team to their first “final four” appearance in the WHSBLA playoffs. He was also named to the All-State defensive team in his senior year.
Coach Evan can be reached at Evan@riptidelax.com
Mikey McKee
Trent Harper
Joey Redfearn
Coaching Staff
Evan Smith
Santa Barbara High School
Defensive Coordinator
Mike McKee
Holy Cross Crusaders
As a junior attackman at Holy Cross, Coach Mike started all 14 games in 2004...led the team with 23 assists...third on the team in scoring with 34 points, including 11 goals...tallied 13 groundballs.
2003: Appeared in all 14 games, leading the team in scoring for the second straight season...notched three goals and a career-high 24 assists...handed out four assists in a game twice (vs. Providence and Lehigh)...picked up 16 groundballs.
2002: Saw action in 15 games...led the squad in points (35)...scored in 13 of 15 games played, tallying a goal in six games, including three contests with a hat trick...had a career-game with three goals and four assists in the 15-9 victory over Siena.Before Holy Cross: Played one season at Lawrenceville...named All-League and All-Pitt in 2001...selected to play in the North-South game in 2001...Played four seasons at Suffern...named to the All-League team three times (1998-00), two-time All-Section (1999-00)...named Team MVP in 2000 and to the All-County team.
Trent Harper
Air Force
Trent
Joey Redfearn
Air Force
Joey Redfearn brings his lacrosse experience and leadership ability to Santa Barbara from Marshfield, MA. He was a captain at the prestigious Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts and went on to play for the United States Air Force Academy, where he played close defense and LSM.
He helped the Falcons to 2 Southern Conference championships as well as 2 NCAA tournament appearances.