The Woodlands High School LAX Sophomore Ridge Crouch dedicates season to late brother Reid

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands High School lacrosse sophomore standout, Ridge Crouch has been playing with a heavy heart of late. Recently, Ridge's older brother, Reid passed away and it has been all he can do to make sense of things and carry on without his brother. You see, Ridge and Reid as well as middle brother Ryan, mom Lara, and dad Michael, comprised a very tight knit family. When you take away the oldest brother and leader, there is no filling that void. There's just grieving.

There isn't a set way to grieve. Everyone grieves in different ways and there isn't a right way or a wrong way. You don't pull out a dictionary and look up the word grieve and go...'OK here it is. I need to act like this.' Fortunately, we aren't robots. We are left to handle things naturally and personally.

What is natural for Ridge is honoring Reid by dedicating this lacrosse season to him. I can guarantee you, Ridge will be going 100% like he always does but with added incentive. It won't be easy but he's going for it with everything he has in his heart.

Ridge was close with Reid and they had a great relationship. Reid would come back from college and take Ridge fishing, kayaking and throw the lax ball around in the back yard and sometimes they'd go up to the school and play wall ball. They loved to go to top golf together. Reid was Ridge's biggest fan and was always happy to hear of Ridge's success on the lacrosse field even though he didn’t get to see him play much once he left for Arizona State to
play lacrosse. Ridge has been number 24 for most of his young lacrosse career as well as some of his football career which was Reid's number at Houston Christian where he started as a freshmen on a Division 1 state semifinal team.

The two brothers were similar in many ways to include being extremely caring. Reid was a big animal lover and was always smiling. He had a contagious laugh and he loved his family immensely and was a wonderful grandson and nephew. He loved shooting guns with his dad, uncle and brothers at his grandmother's cattle ranch...all just like Ridge.

Let's learn more about Ridge..

1) How long have you been playing football and lacrosse?

I started playing lacrosse in Kindergarten and tackle football in 3rd grade for the Klein Texans and later for my school teams. Both of my brothers played lacrosse and football.

2) Describe the 2022 TWHS lacrosse team and why you enjoy playing for the Highlanders?

I am very excited about this season of lacrosse. We have so many talented players on offense and defense and the coaching is great. Coach Tintle has trained me and helped coach me since I was little. He is very knowledgeable and I can't wait for the season to start.

3) Do you like TWHS?

The Woodlands has a great education system. I have a lot of close friends there and the teachers and staff are very nice and caring people and I love the school spirit.

4) What colleges are you looking into attending? Do you know what your field of study will be?

I am looking at a few colleges. Some of my favorites are High Point, Texas A&M and Johns Hopkins. I would like to play lacrosse in college and study computer science.

5) What do you hope to be doing after you graduate from college?

I would like to own my own business one day.

6) What do you enjoy doing away from school and sports?

In my free time I like fishing, playing video games, hanging out with my friends and family and playing with my dogs. I enjoy snowboarding when I can.

7) Who are your role models for football and lacrosse?

I like to watch Jalen Ramsey play in the NFL. Ryan Brown plays in the Premier Lacrosse League and is my club lacrosse coach and my role model.

8) Describe how supportive your family is in everything you do in your life. In regards to your brother, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I am so sorry. Can you share for our readers the many things you will miss about your brother? What will you take from your brother's legacy and how will you honor him in the way you live your life?

My family is very supportive in everything I do. My parents have given me the chance to travel often around the country to play club lacrosse. I am grateful for that. I have two older brothers, Reid and Ryan, and despite our age differences we have always been close. My love for lacrosse comes from me watching them both play lacrosse since I was very young. Both Reid and Ryan were amazing lacrosse players. I think Ryan got his love for lacrosse from Reid too. We all loved being outdoors and playing video games. It has been a very sad time for my family since Reid’s recent passing. He always told me he was proud of the lacrosse player I became. I try to be kind like Reid was and I will miss his laughs.

9) If you were given a million dollars and had to give it to one charity, which one would you choose and why?

I think a medical charity, maybe to help cure the disease my grandfather died from which was Parkinsons.

10) Three things that people don't know about you.

I love to eat sunflower seeds. I beat my family at Yahtzee all the time. My mom says I came home from the hospital Christmas Eve when I was born.

11) When was the last time you danced? Where? You any good?

I last danced at homecoming. I guess I'm not bad.

12) What is your favorite song in your phone now? Do you have a favorite group?

Lil Baby. Migos.

13) Your favorite movie of all time.

Interstellar

14) It's your lucky day! You can go out with any girl you want in the world. Who's the lucky girl?

Sommer Ray. She's pretty 'famous'.

When asked about Ridge, club coach and pro player, Ryan Brown had this to say about him...
'Ridge is not only a terrific lacrosse player, he's an even better teammate and person. He's a true competitor whether he's coming out of the box or playing attack. He plays with the same intensity either way. Ridge is super skilled and can beat the defense with his ability to create off the dodge as well as moving without the ball and scoring off the pass. He has a bright future and I can't wait to watch him develop and play for years to come. My heartfelt condolences go out to Ridge and his family.'

In speaking with Ridge's friends, teammates and acquaintances everyone talked about how considerate and positive he is with people. The girls I spoke with all say he is the sweetest guy in that Ridge will step in and stick up for a classmate that is being picked on and that he is always looking out for others.

I'll leave you with this...Ridge has a friend who indicated he wanted to play lacrosse in high school. His friend didn't have any gear and lacrosse equipment tends to be very expensive. So, Ridge had a new stick at his house he was going to use if his current one broke. He strung it and gave it to his friend and assured him that he would have all the equipment he needed by the first day of practice. Segue to today and his friend not only still plays but he loves lacrosse. Ridge still strings sticks for his friend to this day.

Ridge, you are always there for people and a tremendous example to those around you. I've seen a ton of good lacrosse players out there. They are good because they have a balls to the wall mindset and it's a pleasure to watch them go 100% at all times. However, what sets you apart from most is although you play with an edge, you respect the competition and as soon as the game is over you're giving props to the opponent.

You see the big picture, Ridge and are always there for people.

Know this...You are the perfect person to be honoring your brother and Reid will be so proud of you.

From all of us out here, we offer our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Just like you are always there for people, all of us will be here for you forever!

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