Homegrown Coach Blake Lenk on his Newport Harbor boys lacrosse journey – with Mark Todd

For Newport Harbor head lacrosse coach Blake Lenk, the journey from being the program’s first Division I player to now shaping the next generation of Sailors has been one of adversity, growth, and leadership. In this episode, Coach Lenk sits down with Mark Todd to reflect on his personal story, the values he instills in his players, and what it takes to build a winning culture at Harbor.

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Coach Blake Lenk’s Background (0:00)

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Lenk was the first Newport Harbor player to reach Division I lacrosse, playing at Towson University before transferring to Wagner College. He spent four years as a Harbor player—three of them on varsity—before stepping into coaching immediately after graduation. Now in his seventh season as head coach, Lenk brings the same intensity and passion he had as a player. Before lacrosse, he was a professional Baja racer, but his parents encouraged him to try a team sport. That decision helped spark the competitive drive he now shares with his athletes.

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Overcoming Adversity on the Road to D1 Lacrosse (3:30)

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Lenk’s path wasn’t easy. He suffered from irregular heartbeats during physical exertion, which led to heart surgery during his high school years. Doctors tied the condition to his growth spurt, and by junior year, the symptoms faded. That allowed him to return fully to the field, ultimately earning his spot at the collegiate level.

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Falling in Love with Lacrosse (6:00)

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After trying baseball and tee-ball with no real connection, Lenk’s parents signed him up for a lacrosse summer camp. His older brother, who played at Harbor, left lacrosse sticks lying around the house, and eventually, Lenk picked one up and never looked back.

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Key Influences and the “Fight” Mentality (7:20)

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Lenk credits Mark Todd—then his coach—as a major influence. Todd’s message: “Just go out there and fight.” A memory that defines that mentality came during a game vs. Los Alamitos when Harbor was down three players. Lenk took a face-off, won possession, sprinted downfield, and assisted the game-tying goal. That moment still resonates as a symbol of resilience and grit.

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Biggest Lesson from Coaching (11:00)

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“You can’t want it more than the players.” That’s Lenk’s biggest takeaway. He emphasizes a culture where players compete for each other, give their all in every area of life, and represent the Harbor logo with pride. Character, effort, and brotherhood are non-negotiable pillars of the program.

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Fostering Culture at Newport Harbor (15:00)

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One of Lenk’s favorite traditions is an annual team camping trip, where bonds are built off the field. This year’s team has just eight seniors, with a heavy junior class stepping into leadership roles.

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This Year’s Team Captains (17:30)

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Michael Karamandzhukov (senior), Parker Atkins (junior), and Spencer Kreig (junior) lead the 2025 squad. Lenk shares how new seniors, some still learning the game, are motivated by younger players’ stick skills and dedication. He also recalls how Mason Booth, a former football player, became a standout face-off man and captain last season after picking up a stick for the first time.

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Strong Parent Support (21:00)

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Lenk is grateful for the Harbor parent group, who go above and beyond—helping with team dinners, fundraising, concessions, and more. That community support has become a cornerstone of the program’s culture.

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Tough Competition & Memorable Road Trip (22:50)

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Harbor has faced strong opponents this year, learning valuable lessons in the process. After a game against Sierra Canyon, the team bus broke down, stranding them until a replacement arrived from Newport Mesa.

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Key Players to Watch (28:30)

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Michael Karamandzhukov anchors the midfield. Ryan Palmer and Luke Garrido, both football players, have transitioned seamlessly to lacrosse and are already making a big impact. In goal, Jayden Hernandez, a football player who had never picked up a stick before high school, is quickly becoming one of the team’s most natural athletes.

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This Year’s Schedule Outlook (34:20)

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Harbor faces a tough slate, including Edison, Mission Viejo, and St. John Bosco—top football schools now making noise in lacrosse. Lenk says Orange County competition is stronger than ever, which raises the bar for every team.

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Coaching Through COVID (37:00)

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COVID-19 left a lasting impact on youth lacrosse development. Lenk continues working to rebuild depth and consistency within the program.

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Most Memorable Moments (38:00)

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As a player: the comeback vs. Los Alamitos.
As a college player: a big game against Lafayette College.
As a coach: building relationships with his players. One standout story is McKay Ketchum, who overcame knee surgery, came back stronger his senior year, and went on to play at Chapman University.

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Growing the Program at Harbor (40:40)

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One of Lenk’s biggest challenges has been offseason development. Many players only picked up their sticks during spring. To counter that, he began coaching with the Saddleback Stags, encouraging year-round commitment.

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Academic Focus and Film Study (43:30)

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Academics are a top priority. The team has routine grade checks, and players are expected to excel in the classroom. Lenk also leans heavily on Hudl and Hudl Assist, using AI-powered tools to review film and build smarter players.

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Coaching Staff Lineup (48:30)

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Blake Lenk – varsity head coach
Matt Verducci – varsity assistant coach
Bobby Trujillo – varsity offensive coordinator
Christian Ruelas – goalie coach
Sara Wilson & Susie Esquibel – statisticians

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Freshmen to Watch (49:00)

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A new crop of young talent is on the rise—certainly some players to keep an eye on as the future of the program.

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What It Will Take to Make the Sunset League Playoffs (50:00)

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Commitment. Aggressiveness. Resilience. Lenk says if the team embraces those three traits, they’ll have what it takes to push deep into the postseason.

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Thank You to Coach Blake Lenk!

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A huge thanks to Coach Blake Lenk for sharing his journey and leadership mindset with us. We’re excited to follow the Sailors this season and beyond. Thanks again to Mark Todd for hosting another impactful episode of Sunset Rewind!