How it started…

Westside Wild was founded by Scott Gilman, Head Coach at St. James Academy, with the goal of growing girls lacrosse in Southern Johnson County and building a strong developmental pathway for local athletes. The program began with a single 7th/8th grade team in the KC spring league, followed by a pause due to COVID.

Soon after, Chris Harrington joined Scott to expand the program to include younger age groups. Early seasons were challenging — the first 5th/6th grade team even combined with 4th graders just to field a roster and went winless, scoring only three goals all season. That adversity fueled a long-term commitment to improving fundamentals, stick skills, and overall lacrosse IQ across the program.

Through consistent coaching, community outreach, and support from dedicated staff like Erin Rauber, Westside Wild steadily improved. In time, the program became a strong competitor in the local rec league and began its transition into travel lacrosse. Today, the 2029 team serves as the flagship group, achieving national-level success and demonstrating what a Kansas City-based girls program can accomplish with the right development model.

While building competitive travel teams, Westside Wild has remained committed to growing the game locally. Participation in the spring rec league has increased each year, strengthening the pipeline to area high school programs.

In 2026, Westside Wild enters a new chapter by partnering with Elevate Lacrosse to manage the spring rec season and naming Ariannah Ritter as Program Director. This collaboration will continue to enhance player development and expand opportunities for girls lacrosse across the region.