Three-Peat Complete: Urbana Hawks Cement Dynasty Status with Dominant 2026 MPSSAA Class 4A Championship Season
Three-Peat Complete: Urbana Hawks Cement Dynasty Status with Dominant 2026 MPSSAA Class 4A Championship Season
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog
Dynasties are rare in Maryland high school boys lacrosse. Winning one state championship requires talent, depth, discipline, and a little luck. Winning three straight demands something much greater—a championship culture.
The Urbana Hawks proved exactly that during the 2026 season, completing one of the greatest runs in recent Maryland public school lacrosse history with a commanding 14-3 victory over Broadneck in the MPSSAA Class 4A State Championship at Stevenson University.
The win secured Urbana’s third consecutive Class 4A state championship, completing an incredible three-peat and cementing the Hawks among the elite public school lacrosse programs Maryland has ever produced. Throughout the season, Urbana displayed a relentless combination of explosive offense, suffocating defense, outstanding goaltending, and exceptional coaching that overwhelmed nearly every opponent in its path.
A Championship Season from Start to Finish
Urbana finished the 2026 campaign with an outstanding 17-1 overall record, suffering its lone defeat against nationally ranked competition before ripping through the remainder of its schedule.
From opening day, the Hawks established themselves as one of the state’s premier teams. They opened with an impressive 8-7 overtime victory over perennial powerhouse Severna Park, showing early they could win close, high-pressure games.
As the season progressed, Urbana became nearly unstoppable.
The Hawks rolled past Catonsville (10-1), Walt Whitman (14-4), Tuscarora, Oakdale, Linganore, and a series of other quality opponents while routinely holding teams well below their scoring averages.
By playoff time, Urbana had elevated its play to another level.
The Hawks dismantled James Hubert Blake 23-3, overwhelmed Leonardtown 17-3, and then saved one of their most complete performances for the state championship.
Against Broadneck, Urbana exploded to a 7-0 lead, completely taking control before halftime. Every aspect of the game favored the Hawks, who dominated possession, transition, faceoffs, and defense en route to the convincing 14-3 championship victory.
It was the perfect ending to another remarkable season.
A Balanced and Explosive Offense
One of Urbana’s greatest strengths throughout the season was its offensive balance.
Rather than relying on one superstar scorer, the Hawks featured multiple players capable of carrying the offense on any given day. Ball movement, patience, and unselfish play became trademarks of the program.
Leading the way was Jayden Sharper, one of Maryland’s premier midfielders and a UMBC commit.
Sharper consistently dictated the pace of games with his athleticism, transition play, and scoring ability. His leadership proved invaluable throughout Urbana’s championship run, and his outstanding season earned him USA Lacrosse All-American honors in Maryland’s Western Region.
Following the championship victory, Sharper described completing the three-peat as “surreal,” a fitting reflection of what the senior class accomplished.
Midfielder Colby Johnson emerged as another major offensive weapon throughout the season, producing timely goals in critical moments while serving as an effective facilitator from the midfield.
Opposing defenses simply could not key on one player.
Attackmen, midfielders, and transition specialists all contributed throughout the year, allowing Urbana to generate quality scoring opportunities regardless of defensive adjustments.
The offense thrived because of its willingness to share the ball, attack from multiple angles, and capitalize on transition opportunities created by the defense.
Defense Wins Championships
While Urbana’s offense generated headlines, the defense may have been the true backbone of the dynasty.
Every championship team is built around defensive consistency, and the Hawks possessed one of Maryland’s stingiest units.
Standing at the center was Zachary Thayer, whose outstanding season earned USA Lacrosse All-American recognition.
Thayer consistently made momentum-changing saves while serving as an extension of the coaching staff from the crease. His communication, poise, and outlet passing sparked numerous transition opportunities.
In front of him, the defensive unit rarely allowed opponents clean scoring chances.
Tommy Gotlinger, a Lenoir-Rhyne commit, routinely drew the opponent’s top offensive player while using physical defense and outstanding positioning to shut down elite attackers.
His brother, Trent Gotlinger, a Wingate commit, excelled as one of Maryland’s top short-stick defensive midfielders.
Named an All-State Honorable Mention, Trent brought versatility, toughness, and relentless effort to every contest. Whether defending in space, forcing turnovers, or pushing transition, he impacted games in every phase.
The defensive supporting cast—including long-stick midfielders and close defenders—executed Urbana’s aggressive defensive system nearly flawlessly throughout the season.
Slides were crisp.
Communication was exceptional.
Clearing was efficient.
The result was a defense that rarely surrendered momentum.
Dominating the Hidden Areas of the Game
Championship teams excel beyond scoring goals.
Urbana consistently controlled the hidden aspects of lacrosse.
Faceoff specialists routinely provided the Hawks with extra possessions, allowing the offense to dictate tempo.
The transition game became one of the program’s biggest weapons as defenders quickly turned caused turnovers into fast-break opportunities.
Special teams remained fundamentally sound throughout the postseason, minimizing mistakes while capitalizing on opponents’ errors.
Perhaps most impressive was Urbana’s depth.
Nearly every game featured different contributors stepping into key roles.
Whether it was an underclassman providing energy off the bench or a veteran delivering in a crucial moment, the Hawks embodied a true “next man up” mentality.
That depth became one of the defining characteristics of the championship run.
Coaching Built a Dynasty
Exceptional talent alone does not produce three consecutive state championships.
Head coach Gavin Donahue deserves tremendous credit for building one of Maryland’s model programs.
Under Donahue’s leadership, Urbana developed an identity centered on discipline, accountability, preparation, and team-first play.
Every player understood his role.
Every game plan was meticulously executed.
Every postseason challenge was met with composure.
Perhaps most importantly, Donahue and his coaching staff created a culture where championships became an expectation rather than a goal.
That culture now defines Urbana boys lacrosse.
Individual Honors Reflect Team Success
Several Hawks earned significant postseason recognition following another championship season.
USA Lacrosse All-American
- Jayden Sharper
USA Lacrosse All-American
- Zachary Thayer
All-State Honorable Mention
- Trent Gotlinger
College Commitments
- Jayden Sharper — UMBC
- Tommy Gotlinger — Lenoir-Rhyne
- Trent Gotlinger — Wingate
Those accolades reflected not only individual excellence but the strength of Urbana’s championship program.
Looking Toward 2027
Graduation will claim one of the greatest senior classes in program history.
Thayer.
Sharper.
The Gotlinger brothers.
Several other veteran leaders.
Replacing that experience will not be easy.
Yet Urbana appears positioned to continue competing for championships.
The Hawks return numerous contributors who gained invaluable postseason experience while benefiting from one of Frederick County’s strongest youth and junior varsity pipelines.
The expectation inside the program will remain unchanged.
Reload—not rebuild.
A fourth consecutive state championship is already within reach.
A Legacy That Will Be Remembered
Three straight state championships.
A 17-1 record.
Dominant postseason performances.
Multiple All-Americans.
Elite coaching.
Outstanding leadership.
Unselfish team play.
The 2026 Urbana Hawks accomplished everything a high school lacrosse team could hope to achieve.
More importantly, they established themselves among the greatest public school boys lacrosse teams Maryland has produced.
Years from now, when discussions turn to Maryland’s modern lacrosse dynasties, the Urbana Hawks’ remarkable three-peat will undoubtedly be part of the conversation.
2026 Urbana Hawks Season Snapshot
- Record: 17-1
- MPSSAA Class 4A State Champions
- Third Consecutive State Championship
- State Championship: Defeated Broadneck 14-3
- Playoff Wins: 23-3 over James Hubert Blake, 17-3 over Leonardtown, 14-3 over Broadneck
- USA Lacrosse All-Americans: Jayden Sharper, Zachary Thayer
- Head Coach: Gavin Donahue
Maryland Sports Blog Season Grade: A+
Winning one championship is difficult. Winning three consecutive state titles is historic.
The 2026 Urbana Hawks combined elite talent, championship coaching, exceptional leadership, and unmatched consistency into one of the finest seasons in Maryland public school lacrosse history. Their legacy extends well beyond the trophy—it serves as the blueprint for excellence.
Congratulations to the players, coaches, families, alumni, and the entire Urbana community on an unforgettable championship run and a dynasty that will be remembered for generations.
