DEDICATED TO DEVELOPMENT
iQ Lacrosse was founded in 2021, beginning with local lacrosse training clinics for boys and girls. Our boys club team program followed shortly after in 2023. Since the beginning, we've had one simple mission: player development at all levels.
As a former Division I USILA Scholar All-American and U.S. Box National Team midfielder, iQ Lacrosse Founder, Austin Popovich, has built every aspect of the program on a foundation of developing future leaders of the sport, both on and off the field. The name iQ Lacrosse reflects our commitment to the mental side of the game. Understanding the "why" behind every movement, making quick decisions under pressure, and reading the field in real time are at the core of our coaching philosophy. We strive to develop smarter players, not just faster ones, because lacrosse IQ often separates good players from great ones. The lowercase “i” in our name represents humility and selflessness: no egos, no shortcuts. Just hard work, discipline, and a team-first mindset.
As a proud PLL Verified Organization, we are committed to delivering the most comprehensive lacrosse training and club lacrosse team experiences in Central Ohio. Our coaching staff is composed of former collegiate and professional lacrosse players and coaches who have proven their immense dedication to the sport and understand what it takes to compete at the highest level. Whether in private training lessons, group training clinics, or club team practices, our experienced coaches provide individualized, 1:1 feedback to ensure that each athlete receives the attention they need to grow and succeed.
We currently offer lacrosse skills training for boys and girls in grades 4-12, as well as competitive club teams for boys 2029-2035. Our coaching style is designed to foster player development at all levels. For beginners, we focus on building a strong foundation of fundamental skills and a thorough understanding of the game. For more experienced athletes, our position-specific, high-intensity training sharpens skills, advances lacrosse IQ, and challenges players to reach their full potential. Every rep is purposeful, every movement is coached, and every athlete is held to a standard that prepares them for the demands of lacrosse at the next level.
We don’t chase hype. We build stronger athletes. Welcome to iQ Lacrosse.
BOYS & GIRLS
BOYS 2034-2029
AUSTIN POPOVICH
FOUNDER, HEAD COACH, & HEAD TRAINER
Austin brings 15 years of playing experience and nine years of coaching experience as the Founder of iQ Lacrosse. His lacrosse journey began in Columbus at just 8 years old, where he had the opportunity to be part of the first generation of club lacrosse in central Ohio. From the moment he picked up a stick, Austin fell in love with the game and has grown alongside it ever since.
After earning First-Team All-State honors at St. Francis DeSales High School, Austin went on to play Division I lacrosse as a midfielder for Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania. During his time at RMU, he achieved 2x NEC Conference Champion, 4x NEC Academic Honor Roll, NEC Player of the Week, 2020 USILA Scholar All-American, and 2020 MLL Recruit.
Austin has also played at the international level for the U.S. Box Lacrosse National Team, been selected for the prestigious D1 North vs. South Game, and competed in the Under Armour All-American Games.
After graduating in '21, Austin returned to Columbus and founded iQ Lacrosse. Grateful for the life-changing experiences lacrosse has given him, he is dedicated to creating those same amazing memories for the next generation of central Ohio players.
DOM MARZANO
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT & COLLEGE RECRUITING
As an MLL Champion and PLL Runner-Up, Dom brings a vast background of lacrosse knowledge and coaching experience. During his nine years of professional coaching, he worked with the MLL Ohio Machine 2014-2017 and the PLL Redwoods 2019-2023 as an Assistant Coach where he achieved 2017 MLL Champion and 2019 PLL Runner-up. During his 11 years of NCAA coaching, he started the Wilmington College lacrosse program in 2013 followed by coaching at Capital University where he achieved 2019 OAC Champion, 2x OAC Runner-up, 2x OAC Coach of the Year, and 26 All-OAC selections.
JESSE LAWRENCE
BOYS HEAD COACH & SKILLS TRAINER
Jesse brings an extensive background of playing experience and nine years of NCAA coaching experience as a head coach at iQ Lacrosse. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University where he achieved First-Team All Conference as a Face-off Specialist, 2x NCAC Conference Champion, and 4 NCAA tournament appearances he moved on to coach for OWU. In his time coaching at OWU as a Face-off Coordinator and Asst. Defensive Coordinator, he helped earn Coach of the Year accolades, won 2 NCAC Conference Championships, and made 2 NCAA Tournament appearances. He then moved on to coach at Capital University as Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator where he helped set the school record for wins in a season and consecutive wins while also achieving an OAC Conference Championship. He has also had the honor of assisting with the Danish National Team.
CHRIS REYNOLDS
BOYS HEAD COACH & SKILLS TRAINER
Chris brings 10 years of playing experience and eight years of coaching/training experience. In his time at Worthington Kilbourne, he was named All-State First Team, All-Region First Team, All-OCC First Team, & All-Midwest First Team and led Worthington Kilbourne to the state championship as a senior. In his time at Robert Morris University, he achieved 2x NEC Conference Champion and started at goaltender in two NCAA Tournament games, getting the win against Canisius and recording seven saves against #1 Maryland.
CONNOR BUZZELLI
BOYS HEAD COACH & SKILLS TRAINER
Connor brings more than 17 years of playing experience and eight years of coaching experience to his role at iQ Lacrosse. Connor played at Peters Township High School in Pittsburgh, PA before continuing his career as a Division II defenseman at Wheeling Jesuit University from 2014-2019. During his collegiate career, he earned GMAC Second Team All-Conference honors while recording more than 120 ground balls and 75 caused turnovers.
Off the field, Connor demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and service, completing more than 350 hours of community service, helping lead the KAIROS spiritual retreat, and serving as a staff member with Wheeling University's HESS mentorship program. Following graduation, Connor continued coaching at the club level and is now entering his sixth season as the Junior Varsity Head Coach at Thomas Worthington High School.
MARCUS DIETZ
BOYS ASSISTANT COACH
Marcus brings an extensive background of playing and coaching experience as an Assistant Coach at iQ Lacrosse. After playing at St. Francis Desales High School where he achieved 2012 State Champion, Marcus went on to play at CCBC Essex in Maryland. As a team captain, he achieved NJCAA All-American, MVP of NJCAA, Offensive Player of the Year at Essex, and led the nation in points. He then went on to play at Ohio Wesleyan University where he achieved 2x NCAA All-American, MVP of NCAC, Offensive Player of the Year at OWU, and Newcomer of the Year at OWU. After graduating, he played 5 years professionally for The Ohio Machine (MLL) where he won the 2017 MLL Championship. He has coached club lacrosse for the past 11 years and has won 7 tournament championships in his time coaching.
STEPHEN HERTENSTEIN
BOYS HEAD COACH
Stephen brings more than 13 years of playing experience and seven years of coaching and training experience to his role at iQ Lacrosse. A standout close defenseman at Pickerington North High School, Stephen earned multiple All-OCC and All-Region honors while competing year-round with several local travel lacrosse programs. During his undergraduate years at The Ohio State University from 2015-2019, he continued his playing career with the Ohio State Club Lacrosse Team while also beginning his coaching career at the middle school level.
Following graduation, Stephen continued his involvement in the game while serving in the United States Army. During that time, he competed internationally with a grassroots lacrosse organization in New Zealand and has continued to participate annually in the Shootout for Soldiers Veterans Fundraiser Games. Stephen also currently coaches at the varsity level with Bexley Men’s Lacrosse.
JOEL MILLER
BOYS HEAD COACH
Joel brings 18 years of playing experience and seven years of coaching experience to his role at iQ Lacrosse. In 2023, Joel was inducted into the Ohio Lacrosse Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the game.
Joel began his playing career at Worthington Kilbourne High School, where he starred as a midfielder and set single-season program records for both points and scoring. He earned All-American honors in 1998, was selected to compete in the North/South All-Star Game, and represented the United States as a member of the U19 National Team that won the 1999 World Championship in Adelaide, Australia. Joel continued his career at the University of North Carolina, where he earned the Jay Gallagher Award as the Tar Heels' Most Valuable Freshman. He led the team in both takeaways and ground balls during his freshman and sophomore seasons before a career-ending injury brought his collegiate playing career to a close.
Following his playing career, Joel remained deeply involved in lacrosse through coaching, bringing his experience at the high school, collegiate, and international levels to the next generation of players.
RYAN COCHRAN
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING TRAINER
Passionate, experienced, and dedicated, Ryan leverages his firsthand athletic experience and professional expertise to help athletes reach their highest potential. As a former international rugby player who dedicated 20 years to the sport, Ryan brings a rich athletic history and deep understanding of an athlete's needs to his training approach. For 13 years, he has honed his craft in personal training and strength and conditioning, with a primary focus on preparing athletes to perform at their best. His extensive professional journey includes working with renowned sports organizations, such as Tiger Rugby and the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports, where he trained numerous Olympic athletes across various disciplines. Ryan has also had the privilege of working with the South African 7s rugby team, equipping them with the physical prowess needed to compete on the world stage.
