Players from the FCA National High School team and 3rd National battle for possession during the Aug. 1 boys scholastic Gold division game at the Lake Placid Summit Classic lacrosse tournament in Lake Placid. (News photo — Lou Reuter)

LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid Summit Classic lacrosse tournament will return to this village for a 33rd year from Aug. 1 to 7.

Competitors from 7 years old to late their 70s will take the field in hopes of winning the championship.

Since its formation, the Lake Placid Summit Classic has grown into a week-long tournament, with scholastic and adult divisions and featuring approximately 200 teams from all over the United States, according to the tournament organizers.

“We take great pride in what this week has come to stand for within the lacrosse community,” said George Leveille, the founder of the Lake Placid Summit Classic, whose two sons, Kevin and Mike, grew up attending the Summit Classic and went on to star at the collegiate, professional and international levels. Kevin, the captain of the 2014 U.S. men’s national team, is now the brand and event manager of Summit Lacrosse Ventures, which was formed in 2015.

This year’s event will host one of the first 70-plus games ever. The game will consist of players who are all at least 70 years old and it will be played in the World Lacrosse Sixes format.

“We expect to have at least 30 players dress for the 70-plus game, which is remarkable,” Kevin Leveille said. “Additionally, these players are not coming here specifically for this game — first and foremost, they’re participants on teams in the 60 and 65 plus division.

“It’s special as many of these athletes have participated in the tournament for over 30 years,” he added. “They were the pioneers and are continuing to lead the charge today. It’s significant that they will play in the Sixes format, as it’s the path to lacrosse in the Olympics and makes this experience full-circle.”

The Summit Classic will also induct five individuals into the Legends of Placid Lax on Thursday, Aug. 4 at the North Elba Horse Show Grounds Pavilion. The ceremony will highlight special participants and staff members who embody the spirit of the event.

The 2022 inductees include Dave Basile, a team organizer for years at many levels; Jim Case, a longtime athletic trainer who passed in 2020; Kenny Fougnier, a 30-year participant who has excelled annually; and Chuck Piebes and Tony Pironti, two respected officials who’ve managed many Lake Placid games in the stripes.

For more information, visit www.summitlacrosseventures.com.