<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3cSqyq_1Gy08OlG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3cSqyq_1Gy08OlG00" width="810" height="540" ><figcaption>Syracuse men’s lacrosse commit Austin Flaum cradles a ball in Brighton High School’s (New York) matchup with Webster Thomas High School (New York). Flaum is a three-star midfielder in the class of 2028. Courtesy of Austin Flaum</figcaption></figure>Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter here.In a 2024 sectional postseason game, Brighton High School (New York) head coach Josh Laskowski desperately needed a replacement. One of his players suffered a first-half injury that sidelined him for the rest of the game. As the Bruins scrambled to keep their season going, Laskowski searched his bench.He had several options. Some upperclassmen. A few underclassmen who’d seen consistent minutes that year. But he turned to an eighth grader. Austin ​Flaum was his name.Flaum played the entire second half. He spent most of the season on Brighton’s junior varsity squad but was elevated to varsity for the playoffs. Now, here he was in the spotlight. But he was ready. “He looked like a veteran, part of our offensive system,” Laskowski said. “He just ran with it.”Three years later, the junior has solidified his role with Brighton. He no longer worries about being thrust onto the field in the playoffs, but instead is a starting attack for the Bruins. In 2026, Flaum led them with 68 points, eight more than any other player, in 17 games, and on Sept. 14, he committed to Syracuse as a three-star recruit, per Inside Lacrosse. He’ll join the Orange for the 2029 season.“He brings the same intensity in anything he does,” said Kiki Condon, one of Flaum’s Brighton teammates. “We’ll be lifting, practicing, games; He’s bringing the intensity no matter what. He’s always got that switch flipped on.”Flaum first drew attention from top programs like Syracuse long before committing, but NCAA rules kept him from contacting schools until recruiting opened on Sept. 9. But when Syracuse called, he barely hesitated.Flaum committed on the spot during his first SU visit. He said it was a no-brainer, especially since Syracuse was close to his home, Rochester. He also fell in love with its coaches and noted SU’s history heavily influenced his decision. Laskowski wasn’t surprised when Flaum garnered top-end Division I attention. Laskowski said he knew Flaum was “gonna be a D-I guy.” To get there, Laskowski credits Flaum’s work ethic.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2cugU2_1Gy08OlG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2cugU2_1Gy08OlG00" width="1200" height="900" ></figure>Between playing for Brighton and SweetLax Upstate, a Rochester-based club team, Laskowski said Flaum’s life revolves around lacrosse.“He’s lacrosse 365 (days), all year long,” Laskowski said. “He’s just 24/7 lacrosse.”Flaum has carried that passion into every practice. He asks to face Brighton’s best defender, Laskowski said, and Condon said he’s always pushing his teammates to improve.“He wants to be challenged in practice, and he really buys into the philosophy we have that you gotta practice hard and compete hard in practice in order to be ready to play in the game,” Laskowski said. Besides being one of Brighton’s top players, Flaum’s also one of its most vocal, Laskowski said. But not always. Early in high school, Flaum was clearly skilled. So much that Laskowski trusted him in that aforementioned 2024 playoff game. But he lacked the voice most D-I programs demand. So, he naturally prioritized it.He got the offense “really fired up and going,” Laskowski said, and realized the importance of teaching his nascent teammates, similar to how he was taught when he was young.“A lot of the younger guys are looking up to me,” Flaum said. “I could say whatever I want to say, and say how things should be done, but if you’re not doing them yourself, it doesn’t really mean much.”But the two go hand in hand. For Flaum to talk, he must back it up on the field. And he’s done that thus far as a consistent goal scorer and dodging threat who can also locate teammates for extra passes, Condon said, who’s known Flaum for 10-plus years. “When I dodge, I dodge with authority, use my athleticism to create space, and look for the open man,” Flaum said.That authority Flaum called on attracted Syracuse. Aside from SU’s historic lineage, Flaum feels personally connected to the Orange. His father, Asher Flaum, played for SU from 1998-2001, and his older brother, Ryder Flaum, is a current sophomore there.​Flaum’s next up. “I’m working on becoming more well-rounded, and getting stronger and faster to just prepare myself for that jump up in athleticism, and then working on my lacrosse IQ, as much as I can,” he said.Laskowski isn’t worried about whether Flaum will be ready for Syracuse. His game is still growing, Laskowski said, and he’s already an “elite player with elite skill.” When he arrives at SU, Flaum’s poised to show everyone else what his coach already saw.​“He’s gonna be a tough, tough day for any defender that has to match up with him,” Laskowski said.</div></body>

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Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter here. In a 2024 sectional postseason game, Brighton High School (New York) head coach Josh Laskowski desperately needed a replacement. One of his players suffered a first-half injury that sidelined him for the rest of the game. As the Bruins scrambled to keep their season going, Laskowski searched his bench.

Austin Flaum’s ‘24/7 lacrosse’ mentality shaped commitment to Syracuse

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Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter here. In a 2024 sectional postseason game, Brighton High School (Ne

Austin Flaum’s ‘24/7 lacrosse’ mentality shaped commitment to Syracuse

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