Redshirt-juniors Bucky Smith and Garrett Swaim have been named captains of the 2013 High Point University men's lacrosse team. Smith and Swaim have been at High Point since the fall of 2011 preparing for High Point's inaugural season.

“We needed two very special people to lead a very young team in year one,” said head coach Jon Torpey. “Bucky and Garrett share a drive and a passion to be great and we believe they will do a phenomenal job. These two have gone above and beyond for this program since day one and their willingness to lead by example has been an amazing part of the program's foundation.”

Smith transferred to High Point from the Naval Academy. He appeared in 14 games for Navy in 2009-10, helping the Midshipmen to a 7-8 overall record and a 4-2 Patriot League mark. He scored his lone goal of the season in a 9-8 overtime win over Johns Hopkins, which was one of Navy's best wins of the season. Smith was a leader from the sideline throughout the fall as he rehabilitated a knee injury.

“It is very rewarding to stand in front of the team and tell them why I want to be a captain and have them elect me,” Smith said. “It is an honor and a privilege to lead this great group of guys and I know we are going to have a great season.”

Swaim played two seasons at Jacksonville before transferring to High Point for the 2011-12 academic year. The defender played in 22 games, collecting 24 ground balls and causing nine turnovers while at Jacksonville. This fall he was a Nicholas “Head” Colleluori Award winner at the Colleluori Classic in Pennsylvania. The award honors players that most exemplify the heart and determination exhibited by the Foundation's founder.

“This is one of the greatest honors of my life so far to be one of the first captains of this program,” Swaim said. “Coach Torpey has brought in such an amazing group of guys and I feel like so many of them would be great captains, so it meant a lot that they chose me. I want to be a good influence and example on the field, off the field and especially academically.”

High Point men's lacrosse begins its first season on Feb. 2 The Panthers will take on Delaware at 1 p.m. at Vert Stadium.