Some powerful moments on Friday night at Bartow High’s lacrosse game.
The squad honored their late teammate Zachary Mace, 19, who died earlier this month in a tragic plane crash in Winter Haven. Mace graduated in 2021 from Summerlin Academy as the school’s salutatorian. He served as battalion commander in the JROTC program and was captain of the lacrosse team at neighboring Bartow High.
He also was a licensed pilot who was pursuing a degree in Aerospace Science at Polk State College.
On the field at BHS Friday night, the school held a final roll call and played taps in Mace’s honor. The team also retired his No. 17 jersey.
After the game, Bartow’s Larnell Michel (No. 0, pictured) left the field, climbed into the stands, and embraced Mace’s family.
