On Tap with ... John Bennett

Junior defenseman and long-stick midfielder John Bennett has been one of the key players this year for men's lacrosse's defense. Among other clutch performances, Bennett played a huge game in the Tigers' win over perennial contender Johns Hopkins earlier this season and has carried his strong play into the NCAA Tournament, where No. 7 Princeton will play No. 2 Maryland tomorrow for a trip to the Final Four.

What was your 'welcome to college-sports' moment?

Definitely my freshman year in my first college game. We were playing Johns Hopkins at Hopkins, and I stepped on the field for the first time and in a matter of 0.1234 seconds [2005 National Player of the Year] Kyle Harrison had run past me and scored. My high school coach after seeing this on TV sent me an email saying, "Welcome to college lacrosse, you need to get better."

What is the greatest highlight of your sports career?

So far, the greatest highlights for me, and probably most of my class, have been playing in the Final Four [in 2004] and beating Johns Hopkins this year at Hopkins, snapping their 37-game winning streak at home.

What's the funniest story about your coach?

Not going to go there; I know he is an avid reader of the Princetonian.

Most embarrassing moment?

Just about every time I am in a social situation.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Nope.

Best part about being an athlete?

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The fact that when you arrive on campus you immediately have 40 guys whom you can consider your friends.

Worst part?

Being an athlete is a great thing, but I think too much of the time people will make judgements about you as a person based on what sport you play. Where, as we all know, [people] should only make those judgments about you as a person during the few minutes you meet someone during bicker. That's the intelligent way to do it!

What's your favorite thing to do when not practicing?

For some reason I am at my most relaxed when I am watching the Discovery Channel or Animal Planet — especially if it is something involving sharks and Steve Irwin, because you know eventually the Croc Hunter will get what he deserves after tempting nature for so long. Kind of like global warming and the industrialized world.

What's your favorite class you've taken at Princeton?

Constitutional Interpretation with Professor Robert George. It was a very hard class and clearly everyone in the class was much smarter than me, but I learned a lot and I had a priest for a preceptor, and priests have to be charitable.

Favorite thing to do on the 'Street'?

My favorite thing to do on the 'Street' is to meet new people. The 'Street' provides the perfect environment where students of all interests can gather and relax together. Lately, the 'Street' has been getting some rough publicity from the township and administration, but it serves a very important social function and allows all Princeton students to enjoy each other's company while also providing a setting of social inclusion for people of all different backgrounds and interests.

Who on your team has the 'most game off the field'?

Teammate with the most game? That would definitely have to be Zach Jungers. He's so social and outgoing. Not to mention someone who is always willing to help his friends. Basically, he's the Zach Morris of Princeton.