Dual-sport senior Landon Lashley finished the spring lacrosse season and, after just a couple of weeks off, jumped in to summer workouts for football. On this holiday week, the Hawks get a break, and the Lashleys are soaking up the sun in the Bahamas. Landon took time out from his well-deserved R & R for this interview over the phone. Read on to get to know a bit more about this easygoing player and teammate, who is infallibly described as "just a great guy."
 
1. Tell us about your life pre-Latin. Where were you born, where'd you live, go to school, that sort of thing.
I was born in Arizona, but I've lived in Charlotte since I was a baby. My mom was born in Hawaii, but she grew up in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arizona, and my dad is originally from Burlington (NC) and went to East Carolina. They moved here for work and we've been here ever since. For elementary school, I went to Sandy Ridge, which is out in Waxhaw by Marvin. For middle school, I attended Charlotte Prep, and then I came here.  
 
2. What prompted you to consider coming to Charlotte Latin?  
I'd always had Latin in the back of my mind. We'd looked into it for middle school too, but I ended up choosing Charlotte Prep because I wanted something a little smaller. Going into ninth grade, my family knew some people at Latin and the school felt like it fit me best out of all the options.
 
3. How was the transition to a new school for you?
Going into freshman year, we were on the hybrid A-day, B-day schedule, so it was a little different and I didn't get to meet everyone when I first came. When sophomore year rolled around, I got to know more people, so the adjustment period was a little longer than I would've liked but it felt like a bigger version of Prep with more things to do, which was nice.
 
4. Now you've made it through junior year, which is traditionally tough for all high school students. What was the most challenging part for you?
Just keeping up with everything. It felt like a full-time job just to manage all the assignments and schedules and keeping on top of my grades. I really had to learn how to use a calendar and prioritize and I guess it unintentionally forced me into learning some life skills about organization.
 
5. Have you started thinking about what you'll do after graduating from Latin?
Yes, ma'am. I've taken a few visits and toured a bunch of campuses. I've been to TCU, Alabama, Ole Miss – I'm keeping it warm with all of my colleges. I'm looking for something mid-to-big size and distance isn't really an issue. Texas feels like a second home to me, so I'm not too worried about being far away. I'm planning on going pre-dental and not every school has that option, so we'll see.
 
6. What sparked your interest in dentistry? Do you like going to the dentist?  
I wouldn't say I like going there for fun like I would a Dave & Busters, but there's something interesting about it. I'm not obsessed with teeth or anything. I've always kind of wanted to go into the medical field but didn't know exactly what. Then in math, we had this budgeting project, and I researched the dental industry, and the more I looked into it, the more appealing it sounded. I was starting to think about it, then before I had even mentioned my interest to my parents, they brought it up to me. This summer, I'm doing a bunch of shadow days at dental offices.
 
7. Has that been a good experience?
Yes ma'am. For one thing, it feels like I'm always doing things. I've enjoyed the fast pace and it seems to be something new or different for every patient that comes in. I also like seeing how things work, which may seem like a weird explanation, but I like the micro component of it.
 
8. You're playing football and lacrosse for the Hawks currently. What was the sports journey that brought you to this point?
Every little kid plays soccer, and I was always the one that kicked the ball in the wrong goal or sat on the bench eating orange slices. I flip-flopped through different sports throughout childhood. I did flag football and baseball, and I did taekwondo for a few years and was decent at it. When I got to high school, that's really when things unfolded. I'd always wanted to play football because my dad had played, but I didn't start tackle football until ninth grade. It was definitely eye-opening. I came in during the Covid season, so we couldn't use the weight room and couldn't play in pads for a while, but as a freshman I was super small and unathletic and had no strength whatsoever. The other guys seemed massive, and I was out of shape because we'd been in lockdown, so it was really challenging. I had to learn how to build everything physical – strength, toughness, speed.  
 
9. Then you started lacrosse that spring? Did you ever think you'd be the starting goalie the very next year?
Definitely not. Starting lacrosse freshman year was also really eye-opening. It was kind of a combination of football and other sports I'd done. It was fun to try something new and that's really encouraged at Latin – to try new things. Playing goalie last year was definitely a new thing. The whole proposal from Coach Sip was that I'd play back-up goalie, sit behind Bryce (Hoben), watch him and learn and get reps on JV. I was cool with that. I wanted to try a new position and it's fun to learn new things. But then Bryce got hurt and all of the sudden, I had to go in with no experience facing this team that had all these Division I commits. I was really nervous. As the season went on, I got more comfortable in the cage, but most days I was questioning whether I was good enough to do it. Coach Sip told me not even to think, just try to relax and be in the moment. I wish the fairytale ending had happened and we'd gone on to win states, but I just had to approach every game with the mindset, "What's the worst that can happen?" It was a character-building season, for sure. Definitely one I'll remember.
 
10. Was it a relief to play a field position this past lacrosse season?
Yes ma'am. It felt good to come into this past season. I wasn't as tense or stressed, and my shins were for sure grateful that I was in a different role this year. It was more relaxing. I got to run around and have fun with a metal stick and I could do more and just be me.
 
11. Were there times that you wanted to quit?
There were. I actually wanted to quit football my sophomore year. I was taking geometry in summer school to get on par with some of the other kids and doing eight hours of geometry a day and getting mentally exhausting, then going out on the field and get exhausted physically, I just thought I can't keep doing this. I went to talk to the coaches about it and they sat me down and said they thought I had a place there and asked me to take some time to let it marinate. They said they'd support me either way, but made sure they let me know they wanted me there. Long story short, I'm still on the team and I'm happy now. Football taught me not to stop, no matter what.
 
12. You have head coaching transitions occurring on both of your teams. How do you feel about that?
I was definitely sad to hear Coach Hardin would be leaving, but I knew with Coach Dayton taking over that we wouldn't be left in the dark. Coach Dayton really instilled confidence in us the second it was announced. He's really been taking in player input and he is constantly coaching and mentoring. You can tell he's thinking about it even when you're not around, because the instant he sees you he'll share some observation. The impact he's had on me is something I'll never forget. He's almost been like a second father and it's a great feeling. And in lacrosse, it'll be a fresh start. Coach Sip has a really special place in my heart. He was always so supportive. We are obviously going to miss him and I'm sad to see him go, but it's the best for him. (Coach Sipperly retired after 18 years with Latin, and more than 40 years of coaching. Coach Hardin has returned to his hometown of Kannapolis to coach his former high school team.)
 
13. Speaking of support, your parents are Booster Club board members and seem to be everywhere, usually volunteering. What's your family dynamic like?
The best way I can describe it is that I'm a mini-me of my dad who likes to hang out with my mom a bunch. I like to do a lot of the same stuff my dad likes to do, like four-wheeling. Then I'll hang out with Mom if I want to do something more low-key. My parents really bought in to everything Latin stands for and they told me from the start they were all-in. They do so much to help at Latin and for me and it's been really nice.
 
14. Going into senior year, is there anything in particular you're looking forward to?
I guess I'm excited to park in the senior lot and not have to trek four miles, uphill, barefoot in the snow to get to class. I've had a really great time here at Latin. It's felt like home. People always say to cherish it, that time goes by quick and you don't really believe them and then, poof, it's here. I just want to make the most of my last year and really enjoy it.
 
15. Alright, let's finish up with some easy questions. Do you have any pets?
We have two French Bulldogs named Larry and Lucy. They're not related. Larry is five and Lucy is three.
 
16. What is your favorite form of exercise?
Weight lifting. I hadn't done that before Latin, but it started, for me, with football. They wanted us to work out and lift weights and I started seeing changes in my body. It was awesome to see results and I knew I was going to keep doing it.
 
17.  What's been your favorite Latin sports memory so far?
Probably my first start as the lacrosse goalie. I forget who we were playing, but I had just made a really good save and then it suddenly started pouring rain. It felt like a movie.
 
18. Who is a sports figure you admire?
Luke Kuechly. Growing up, I always loved watching him play and especially with how good of a dude he is – I love him.
 
19. What's on your playlist?
My playlist is a mixture of a whole bunch of genres. It could be rap, country, beach music. It's constantly changing and evolving. I like a wide range of music, so if you put something on, chances are I'm probably going to like it.
 
20. What's the best vacation you've been on?
I would say probably the one I'm on right now. I'm having a good time, laying low, playing golf, and just having fun.