On Monday morning, Park City High School announced that it had hired a new boys lacrosse coach.
Kyle Hartzell is set to replace Michael Persky, who has decided to step down after winning three state titles in six seasons, including the 2026 championship.
Persky oversaw the officialization of lacrosse by the Utah High School Activities Association for the Miners.
The outgoing head coach said he knew heading into this past season that it would be his last with the program, and that he’s glad they were able to meet their high expectations.
“(It was) an awesome experience,” Persky said about his time at Park City. “The parents, administration, particularly Jamie Sheetz, coaches and the boys have been fantastic. I really just thought it was time to let them hear a fresh voice and find somebody who is going to take the program to the next level.”
Persky was proud of his most recent team for their strong character on and off the field. They avenged two-straight title game losses to Brighton and helped the senior class bookend their time at Park City with championships.
According to Hartzell’s Wikipedia page, he won a junior college national championship in 2004 and a Division 3 national title with Salisbury University in 2007. He then embarked on 16-year professional playing career in Major League Lacrosse and the Professional Lacrosse League, playing briefly for the California Redwoods this season. Since first retiring in 2023, Hartzell has coached for the Professional Lacrosse League’s Boston Cannons and ran a gym in Park City, according to USA Lacrosse Magazine.
Park City High School said Hartzell also has experience coaching at the high school and collegiate levels.
“Kyle’s background speaks for itself,” said athletic director and head baseball coach Jamie Sheetz. “We are thrilled to welcome Kyle to lead our boys lacrosse program. … It’s his passion for teaching the game, building character and developing student-athletes off the field that truly set him apart. We are entering an exciting new era for our program.”
The “exciting new era” will hopefully include further championships, which Miners players, families and fans have become accustomed to.
Park City also hired a professional lacrosse veteran in Adam Ghitelman, who Hartzell helped coach during his time with the Cannons, to lead their girls team heading into this past season. Ghitelman picked up right where his predecessor Mikki Clayton left off, leading the team to a second-straight state championship.
“It’s the best place to live,” Ghitelman said about Park City after the state title. “I love it so much. … I was so lucky when (the Miners job) opened up; I was like, ‘It would be so nice to coach right down the road and give back to the community.’”
Park City’s season will kick off in mid-March 2027 against Weber.
While the Miners had 17 players graduate off the title-winning team, they will have players like star Henry Alnwick returning. Persky believes the 2027 team will be one of the best in Park City history.
“There’s just an amazing core of returning players,” Persky said. “I think they’re stacked. … I think Kyle Hartzell is going to be a great, great steward of the program going forward.”