Class of 2025 Grads Blending in at U.S. U20 Men's National Team Training Camp

ITHACA, N.Y. — Anthony Raio was prepared mentally and physically for the biggest game in his lacrosse career when he peered down at his phone and saw a new text message.

“Good luck today brotha.”

The text came from former St. Anthony’s great and fellow U20 Men’s National Team member Owen Duffy, who grew up just down the road from Raio.

Duffy, who led St. Anthony’s to three straight CHSAA titles before moving on to North Carolina, was with the U.S. U20 training team in Towson, Md., last month. Raio, though, had a mission to accomplish — complete an unbeaten season and lead Half Hollow Hills (N.Y.) to its first Class A state championship.

U.S. coach Shawn Nadelen and his staff gave Raio their full support to finish his career on top.

“I tried to stay in contact with the U.S. guys and let them know I’m still working just as hard as they are,” Raio said. “I wasn’t physically with them, but I was there spiritually.”

Raio scored six goals on June 17 to fuel a Half Hollow Hills victory over West Genesee and seal a 23-0 season.

One dream fulfilled. Another to come.

“Going 23-0 with my best friends is something I wanted since I was in kindergarten,” Raio said. “It was a nice feeling knowing that I had [my U20 teammates and coaches] rallying behind me while I was out there trying to win a state championship.”

Just a few weeks later, Raio found out that he’d made the cut for the U20 Men’s National Team, which will head to Jeju Island, South Korea, to compete for its 10th consecutive gold medal, from Aug. 15-24. The USA Lacrosse Magazine National Player of the Year poured in 99 goals with 77 assists this past spring, but he’ll take on a new challenge next month.

Raio suited up with some of the top players in college lacrosse this weekend at training camp at Cornell University. He said he’s grateful to learn from some of the players he watched as an underclassman on Long Island.

“I’m just trying to ask all the older guys who have been in college how they created their success for themselves,” he said. “I want to be a student of the game and learning as much as I can before I head to college.”

Raio spoke with Duffy, whom he will join at North Carolina this fall, before camp, hoping to get an edge on adjusting to the speed and tempo. Duffy walked him through some tips on how to dodge and create space — a skill Raio said he’s been trying to work on.

“Watching him at North Carolina and seeing the success he has, he’s someone that I look up to,” Raio said. “Hopefully, I’ll gain a few things to bring back to North Carolina with me.”

Raio is one of four 2025 high school graduates on the U20 team, joining Robby Hopper, Brendan Millon and Rowyn Nurry. The training camp at Schoellkopf Field represented the first chance for the quartet to acclimate to the international game and gain valuable experience that will help them in South Korea.

“It’s neat to see those guys around the older guys on the team that are in college,” Nadelen said. “There hasn't been a divide or a difference. They all bring something different to the table, regardless of whether they’re going into their junior year of college or going into their freshman year.”

Millon, whose mother and father (Mark and Erin) starred for U.S. National Teams, had been waiting for his opportunity to join the national team family after starring for McDonogh (Md.) this past spring with 84 points in just 15 games.

“It’s definitely a step up,” Millon said. “Just like anything, you’ve got to dip your feet in and then slowly get more and more comfortable. You talk to guys and understand why they do what they do. We all have an understanding that we’re blessed to be on this team. The fact that we made it is such a high honor.”

The two practices on Thursday were just the beginning for a U20 team that will travel to San Diego for a staging camp on Aug. 8 and then onto Jeju Island for the World Lacrosse World Championship.

A mix of college talent like Duffy, Shawn Lyght and Anderson Moore meets the stars of tomorrow to form a team faced with carrying a tradition of success.

“I felt the energy as soon as we stepped onto the field today,” Nadelen said. “The camaraderie and the intensity — it's becoming more and more real. This is our 22-man roster, and we’re going strong with this group. It’s just a heightened level of excitement.”