Blake Gillund wants to see Burnsville lacrosse back at state

The Burnsville boys' lacrosse team dropped to the bottom half of the South Suburban Conference standings a year ago, one year removed from participating in the state tournament. The Blaze finished sixth in the 10-team league.

Junior attacker Blake Gillund would like to see the program return to the level it was at in 2011. The Air Force Academy recruit led the team in scoring last season, registering 24 goals and 24 assists.

Here is a look at Gillund:

The best movie I've seen in the last year? "Hunger Games."

Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me? Determined; creative; focused.

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are … "Started From The Bottom" by Drake; "Dream On" by Aerosmith; "Hurricane" by 30 Seconds to Mars.

What are your three favorite apps? Snapchat; Instagram; Subway Surfers.

How did you get started in sports? I played hockey first, until this year, and played lacrosse for the past seven years. My dad signed my twin brother, Brett, and I up for lacrosse in fifth grade.

At my first varsity practice, I felt … freaked out. I was in eighth grade.

What do you work on most in the offseason? I play traveling lacrosse with the Minnesota Elite team, but have also played on the Minnesota Loons, Jaxx and Stealth lacrosse teams. I have worked on skills and my style of play to improve my overall game IQ and the variety in coaching from various teams has helped me in all of these areas.

What were your goals entering the 2012-2013 school year? To continue to work hard to maintain a high GPA and work hard, on and off the field, on my skills to help bring our team to another state tournament.

What is your favorite meal before an event? Spaghetti.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? Scoring the game-winning goal against Eagan in the section final game to go to state in 2011 and committing to play lacrosse for the Air Force Academy.

How do you balance school and sports during the year? Time management.

If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? Politics and overrated teams based on past achievement and not current talent.

When you have time off during vacation, what do you like to do? Chill in the "Man Cave."

Who is your favorite college or pro sports team and why? Air Force Academy lacrosse because I love the program and Ohio Machine because they have my favorite lacrosse player (Steele Stanwick).

In 10 years, I hope I'm … successful in the career I choose to pursue.

What is the best sports advice you ever received? Outwork everyone, but always be humble.