All in: A spotlight on Westfield lacrosse with coach J. Troy Dinkel
WESTFIELD, Ind. — We sat down with Coach J. Troy Dinkel to learn more about Westfield Washington Schools’ Boys Lacrosse program and what makes it such a standout opportunity for students.
Coach Dinkel brings over 15 years of experience coaching high school and club lacrosse. He began his coaching career in California at Junipero Serra High School and Burlingame High School before relocating to Indiana, where he is now entering his ninth season as Head Coach of Westfield Lacrosse. Throughout his career, he has earned multiple Coach of the Year honors, including PAL Coach of the Year in California, HCLC Coach of the Year, and two-time USA Lacrosse Coach of the Year in Indiana. In addition, Coach Dinkel serves on the board of the Indiana High School Lacrosse Associates and acts as the USA Lacrosse state liaison for Indiana.
The WHS Boys Lacrosse program is a varsity sport with a strong, established presence in Indiana and the Midwest. The program consistently fields around 50 student-athletes across varsity and junior varsity teams, supported by a dedicated staff of nine coaches. As a perennial Top 10 program in the state, Westfield Lacrosse emphasizes excellence both on and off the field. Coach Dinkel shared, “We develop skilled, competitive lacrosse players while fostering character, leadership, and personal growth that will help them succeed in life.”
Although the 2026 season has not yet begun, the team has been hard at work preparing. Student-athletes participate in early-morning workouts with Coach Tavio Henson and evening skill sessions to get ready for tryouts later this month. This year, the program has also added an increased emphasis on mental strength training, partnering with Ben Carnes and his company, Mental Training Plan, to help athletes build confidence, focus, and resilience both on and off the field.
A cornerstone of the program is its “ALL IN” culture. Coach Dinkel explained, “This represents a commitment to giving full effort in every aspect of our program—on the field, in the weightroom, in the classroom, and in the community. It means being accountable to teammates, coaches, and yourself, competing with purpose, and supporting one another through preparation, adversity, and success.”
Being a part of Westfield Lacrosse is about more than just athletic achievement. “Our players are expected to give full effort on the field, in training, and in the classroom while representing the program with integrity and respect,” Coach Dinkel said. “We push each other to be mentally and physically strong, hold teammates accountable, and support one another. Above all, being part of Westfield Lacrosse means striving to be not only a great player but also a great teammate, leader, and person.”
For students interested in joining the program, Coach Dinkel encourages them to get involved with youth lacrosse or club teams, work hard, and have fun. “Lacrosse teaches teamwork, discipline, and mental toughness. Embrace the process and the ALL IN mentality, support your teammates, and commit to improving both on and off the field.”
Community support is vital to the program’s growth. Coach Dinkel noted, “Sponsorships allow us to provide the best experience possible for our student-athletes. Attendance at games, encouraging youth to try the sport, and promoting lacrosse in our elementary and junior high schools helps us grow the sport across the district.”
We are proud Shamrocks with so much to offer at Westfield Washington Schools, and Westfield Lacrosse is a shining example of excellence, teamwork, and life-ready development in action.
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