Norwin lacrosse standout earns spot on Hungarian national team

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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It is a chance to play the game he loves on a national stage and, at the same time, pay his respects to genealogy.

Norwin senior Griffin Bartos has himself a win-win situation.

Bartos was selected to the Hungarian national team that will play in the World Box Lacrosse Championships Sept. 20-29 in Utica, N.Y.

His father, Laszlo, is a Hungarian immigrant who moved to the United States when he was 10.

“It means a lot to me to be able to make a team like this,” he said. “Not only for myself, but for what it says about my family roots. Knowing that my family still lives in the country that I have a chance to play for makes me proud.”

Few days go by where Bartos, a three-year starter who committed to play at Ohio Northern, is not active in the game.

He interns with Iron City Lacrosse and referees youth games on weekends.

His trip is estimated at more than $5,000, so his family has started a GoFundMe page.

The Hungarian team will play against a number of teams, including Australia, Puerto Rico and Slovakia.

His club team coach, Jason Rozembersky, played for the Hungarian team in 2019 in Israel. He helped Bartos get into the championships.

Initially, Bartos was invited to play in Prague with the Hungarian team but was unable to obtain his passport in time.

He did make it to a follow-up tryout in Philadelphia and made the team.

“There have only been a few players from Western Pa. to play on a national team like this, to my knowledge,” Bartos said, “so to be a part of a group like that is a really special feeling.”

While Bartos shouts out his father and grandparents for his heritage, he said his mother, Jennifer, first piqued his interest in lacrosse.

“When I was a kid, I always loved sports and I played just about anything I could,” Griffin said. “I started out playing football and soccer but even dabbled in hockey when I was little, but lacrosse and football are the sports that really stuck.

“When I was in second grade, my mom saw a Facebook post from one of the parents who ran the Norwin Youth Lacrosse page. My mom asked if I wanted to try it out and if I didn’t like it, I could stop playing.”

Turns out, he liked it — a lot.

“Absolute blast,” he said. “It’s been a really great experience growing up and playing with so many different people in the Pittsburgh area and even across the country. While I’m an attack naturally, I’ve played all different positions. I even played goalie my very first game which, thankfully, I never was forced to play again. All these experiences have really helped me to develop as a player and person.”

Bartos led Norwin last season with 39 goals in 16 games and was second with 53 points.

Often man-marked by defenses, he had 17 goals and five assists in the Knights’ first seven games. He passed 100 career points for his career.

“Having a team-first mentality is more important than any personal stat I could ever have,” Bartos said, “so seeing more wins on our record compared to last year is a huge morale boost for not only me but the team.”

Through his internship and officiating, Bartos has been able to pass on his knowledge of the game to young stick-handlers who may chase opportunities the way he has.

“I was really fortunate to pick up the game really quick and learn it fast,” Bartos said. “But not everyone has the ability and learning to be patient with people and help them through the struggles has been really rewarding.”

Lacrosse is returning to the Olympics in 2028, so Bartos has short- and long-term goals.

The sports management major hopes to make some key contacts and begin building relationships in his field.

“Through this experience, I am hoping to create some great memories and have some fun, but there is a lot more to it,” he said. “I think along with all of that, just bonding with my teammates and playing the sport I love is a lot of what I am looking for in an event like this.”

He also wants to learn about how the game is played in Hungary.

“I’m curious about their level of play and competition,” he said, “and what different opportunities they have had.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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