Malvern Prep’s Ennis Udo is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week (May 29-June 4)
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefthanded junior attackman closed his 2023 lacrosse season for the Inter-Ac champions with a bang, scoring six goals in the Inter-Ac tournament semifinals, then tallying two goals and an assist in the championship final against Haverford School. A two-sport athlete at Malvern Prep, Udo also plays tight end and defensive end for the Friars football team. Off the field, Udo is a Black Student Union leader at Malvern, works for the Friars Lantern (school paper) and is a member of the Adelphia Society. His older sister Ellie was a lacrosse standout at Bishop Shanahan High School, and nows play for Brown University – Ennis has committed to the admissions process at Brown. Malvern Prep lacrosse head coach Matt Mackrides said, “Ennis is extremely hard working and has a motor that simply does not stop. His effort throughout the season was exceptional. I’m always impressed with Ennis and his ability to get the most out of his teammates.”
Q: What is your most vivid memory of the just-completed Inter-Ac tournament? What does it mean to you to be Inter-Ac champions?
A: The most vivid memory for me is running on that field with my teammates and classmates at the end of the championship final — it was almost a surreal moment. Our team went through a lot together this season, and to finish it out like that was unbelievable. Winning that final game means everything to our team and our program. It’s what we work towards all year.
Q: What do you think was the biggest key to your productive scoring in the Inter-Ac semifinals and finals?
A: My coach and teammates put me in places to succeed and all I had to do was capitalize on my opportunities.
Q: What aspect of your game did you work on most during the past off-season?
A: I worked on a couple things, one of them being my body. I wanted to make sure I was physically in good lacrosse shape. Another thing I worked on was my dodging, which was a point of emphasis for me.
Q: What advantages do you think being a multi-sport athlete offers, compared to someone who specializes in one sport?
A: I would say there are a lot of different advantages being a two sport athlete. Playing two sports, I get to work different muscles in different ways and that ultimately makes me a better athlete. It also helps me on the mental side of things. I like to think that my style of play in lacrosse resembles a football mindset in the way I’m running into guys and using my body.
Q: Do you feel that your size offers you any particular advantages in lacrosse?
A: My size is something I use to my advantage in my game for sure. I’m able to use my size to move guys and get to my spots.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in lacrosse. Have you always been an attackman?
A: My dad introduced me to lacrosse when I was about 3 years old. He would always drag me to practices of the teams he was coaching and I would always be running around with a stick in my hands. I’ve always loved to compete and lacrosse was a great way for me to do that. I used to play middie, but in 5th grade I got moved to attack and never looked back.
Q: Who have been your most important lacrosse mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: My dad taught me how to compete and what a true competitor is. Coach (Matt) Mackrides has taught me so much in the years I’ve played for him. He’s taught me a lot of technical things and has helped shape me into the player I am today.
Q: What is your favorite course at Malvern Prep? What do you think you might want to major in at Brown?
A: My favorite course at Malvern was my engineering class. We were able to solve a real world problem using solutions fully off of what the students come up with. I would like to major in business but I am open to others as well.
Fun facts – Ennis Udo
Favorite TV show: Breaking Bad.
Favorite movie: The Godfather.
Favorite athlete: Romar Dennis.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Milladelphia (Meek Mill).
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Sea Isle City, N.J.
Favorite pre-game meal: Chipotle.
Person I most admire, and why: “My dad for always being a great role model.”
Family members: parents Mfon and Deb Udo, older sister Ellie, younger sister Annie and younger brother Wilson.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
To view a gallery of the previous Main Line Boys Athletes of the Week click here
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