Rob Pannell, the former Cornell star and current U.S. national training team member, spoke with US Lacrosse Magazine for the Player Spotlight in the December edition of the magazine.

1. You made your box debut with Team USA against Team Canada at the Heritage Cup in Hamilton, Ontario. What’s your first take on box lacrosse?

It was fun. The first thing was getting that first run. I just wanted to go right through the middle and get some contact, feel it out and then settle in a little bit. I have a great group around me, taking time to teach me. I had a couple of practices and they threw me right into the ring. But I was up for the challenge. It was a great experience.

2. As an all-world attackman and U.S. silver medalist after falling to Canada at the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse Men’s World Championship, what does it mean to have another shot at your rival to the north?

Any chance to represent your country and play against Canada in the sport of lacrosse isn’t something that can be taken for granted.

3. Your go-to gym in New York City is The Tone House, which markets itself as extreme. How does this studio help you stay in shape?

It got me back to that college atmosphere of being back in the weight room with your teammates. That’s part of what drew me back to it. It’s the toughest workout in New York City by far. You can’t replicate it on your own because you can’t push yourself that much.