NXT LC Well Represented on Nation’s Best Lacrosse
Nation’s Best took Florida by storm over the winter break. The debut of this elite national team composed of the top players from 3Step clubs was highly anticipated. They competed in two events over the break, the Tropical Thaw, and Club Nationals.
The teams ranged from 2023-2029. In order to be selected for a Nation’s Best players must play for a 3Step club which includes, NXT LC, Annapolis Hawks, Thunder, Kings, CT Wolves, and the 3d Lacrosse family of clubs which spans nationwide.
In total, 13 NXT LC athletes were selected. Coach Nile Thompson, Head Coach of the NXT LC 2026, was selected as a 2023 coach for Nation’s Best.
2023 – Coach Nile Thompson
2024 – Stevie Pileggi (Springside Chestnut Hill), Tommy Tray (Malvern Prep)
2025 – Kevin Covington (Haverford School), Dom Paone (Upper Dublin)
2026 – Caden Chisolm, Quinn Mahoney, Kevin Piffath
2027 – Danny Kinnard, Mason Braun, Jake VanMater
2028 – Liam Murray, Bryce Chekemian
2029 – Riley Brennan (2029 MVP at Club Nationals)
Nation’s Best provides an opportunity for NXT LC athletes to compete on an elite stage with other top athletes from around the country. NXT President Peter Lawrence says “it’s an exciting opportunity to be a part of the 3Step family, for NXT LC players to travel and compete with Nation’s Best teams.”
Tropical Thaw
The Nation’s Best teams kicked off their week in Florida at the 3d Lacrosse Tropical Thaw. It was a clean sweep for the teams as they one every division! A great warmup for the Club Nationals that were just a day away.
2022/2023 Team
5-0 | Beat UNRL Texas 6-3 in the finals
2024 Team
4-1 | Beat Resolute 5-4 in the finals
2025 Team
5-0 | Beat 3d Gulf Coast 11-2 in the finals
2026 Team
4-1 | Beat Coastal Academy 15-5 in the finals
2027 Team
4-0 | Beat 3d Gulf Coast 9-4 in the finals
2028/2029 Team
6-0 | Beat Sweetlax FL 9-2 in the finals
Club Lacrosse Nationals
Next up was the Club Lacrosse Nationals, a three-day event held over New Years. After a day off the Nation’s Best teams were ready to compete again. This time against some of the top club programs in the country.
Nation’s Best had a strong showing overall, qualifying for the playoff bracket in the 2025, 2027, 2026, 2028, and 2029 divisions. In the end, the Nations Best 2029 team walked away with some hardware finishing 5-0 in the event. NXT LC 2029, Riley Brennan took home MVP honors for the 2029 division!
2022/2023 Team
Finished 3-2
2024 Team
Finished 2-3
2025 Team
4-1 | Lost 9-8 in the semifinals to Sweetlax Navy
2026 Team
Finished 3-2
2027 Team
3-2 | Lost 6-2 in the semifinals to West Coast Starz Gold
2028 Team
3-2 | Lost 5-3 in the finals to True National Black
2029 Team
5-0 | Beat Madlax National 8-4 in the finals
What’s Next?
Access to the Nation’s Best teams is a benefit to being part of the 3Step family. Current NXT LC players that are interested in attending future Nation’s Best training camps and tournaments can contact Coach Law or Coach Kupp to be nominated.