Fruita Monument hires new boys lacrosse coach

Fruita Monument has hired Jake Smith to coach its boys lacrosse team, the school announced Tuesday.

Smith moved to the Grand Junction area in 2013, but spent six seasons as the head coach of University of Nebraska’s club program prior to that.

He played for Northern Colorado’s club team, and helped them to appearances in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association’s Division II national tournament in 2006 and 2007.

At Nebraska, Smith led the Huskers to the postseason for the first time in going 9-4 in 2009. That also marked the program’s first-ever winning season.

Fruita went 4-9 last season under former coach Mark Young.