McLaughlin Prepares for Redshirt Freshman Season at Colgate

Elias McLaughlin really enjoyed his freshman year at Colgate University in Upstate New York.

“It was great,” McLaughlin said. “I really feel like I chose the right school. The season took a little bit unexpected turn. I was redshirted this year due to an injury. Sometimes God has a different plan. I really enjoyed the closeness on the team. I found the right school.”

One thing was a bit of a culture shock for the Marietta, Ga., native.

“Even when you get 3-4 feet of snow, life continues,” he said. “Classes don’t stop.”

The 2025 graduate of Fellowship Christian School graduate has witnessed the extra importance lacrosse takes on in the northeast.

“It means even more when you put on your pads,” McLaughlin said. “There is something about it. It gives you more to prove on the field. Even the practices are competitive. You knock a teammate down in practice and then you check on him afterwards. It’s cool to see that. We have a lot of community work projects and fundraisers [local fire department, Cancer organizations and local schools].”

Like former FCS teammate Grant Mauldin, who has competed for Team USA, McLaughlin has represented Jamaica on the world stage.

McLaughlin, whose goal is to represent Jamaica at the 2028 Olympics, was a member of the U20 Men's Jamaica Lacrosse Team at 2025 World Championships.

“It was so much fun,” McLaughlin said. “My mom was born there. That’s my connection. I made the roster! My goal is to get to the Olympics.”

McLaughlin, whose brother Josh played lacrosse for the Paladins and graduated in 2021, will compete for a spot this summer on the Jamaica Men's Lacrosse Team at the 2026 Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship (being held Aug. 16-23 in Kingston, Jamaica).

“It will be a busy August,” said McLaughlin, who heads to Colgate for the beginning of fall camp on Aug. 25.

McLaughlin, who loves the size of Colgate, is working this summer to improve his game, compete for Jamaica and fight for playing time on the Red Raiders this spring.

He is a molecular biology major at Colgate, a school in Upstate New York with a high academic reputation and a strong athletics history. His goal is to become a reconstruction surgeon for face and wrists.

“I would love to put a smile on someone’s face,” McLaughlin said.

“The class sizes are great,” McLaughlin said. “I am in some lectures with 60 students, but most of my classes have 20-25 students. They recruited me starting my junior year. I hadn’t heard of the school before but love it here. The Patriot League has some great schools.”

His experience at Fellowship and playing under veteran coach Lou Corsetti, FCS’ director of boys’ lacrosse, was memorable.

“It was great,” McLaughlin said. “I have a different relationship with Lou. I see him as more than a lacrosse coach. He really influenced my personal life. He’s the kind of guy you can call stressed about your homework at 10 p.m. One the field, he was a great leader too. We had a great relationship on the field because of our relationship off the field.”

At FCS, McLaughlin recorded 316 points (204 goals and 112 assists) during his career. He is the Paladins’ All-Time Leader in points, goals, and assists.

McLaughlin was named to the GHSA First Team All-State team twice, the second team once and was selected as a USA Lacrosse All-American.

(Photo courtesy of Colgate University)