Even at Benedictine Military School (BC), an institution as steeped in tradition and brotherhood as BC, perhaps no tradition is as meaningful as BC lacrosse’s #10. For the past 13 years and counting, a Benedictine lacrosse captain has worn the number 10 for their senior season to honor the late Ricky McAllaster, who tragically passed away during his freshman year at BC in 2010 [source: BC Lacrosse program history]. There is no greater embodiment of the brotherhood and connectivity that Benedictine exudes than the tribute to Ricky’s memory in the number 10. This year’s honor went to Wyatt Estabrook.
Wyatt Estabrook, the 2026 recipient of Benedictine’s No. 10 jersey, plays during a game last season before being selected to carry the program’s leadership tradition. (Courtesy BC Lacrosse)
Ricky McAllaster was integral in establishing the BC lacrosse program. In the fall of 2009, BC was laying the groundwork to start a lacrosse program, led by Carl Moore and Ricky’s father, Dick McAllaster [source: Coach Dustin White interviews]. Initially, there wasn't much student interest in picking up a new sport and trying out, so Ricky was tasked with getting enough guys together to field a team.
During the fall of 2009, Ricky constantly talked to his friends, trying to convince them to come out and play the sport that he loved so much before he passed away on January 1st, 2010. In the wake of his passing, many cadets decided to play lacrosse to remember Ricky and continue what he had started.
“His friends basically decided, ‘Hey, I’ve never played this sport before. I’m probably not going to be very good at it, but I want to try to keep the memory alive.’ And the numbers continued to grow,” said Benedictine Head Coach Dustin White.
In 2013, after Ricky's number 10 had not been worn in the previous three seasons, Coach Dick McAllaster gave the number to Ricky’s best friend, Hunter Herbert, to wear during his senior season. On his senior day later that season, Herbert passed the number on to future head coach Dustin White, and the tradition was cemented [source: BC Lacrosse senior day records].
Walker Groves (left), the 2025 recipient of Benedictine’s No. 10 jersey, presents the jersey to Wyatt Estabrook (right), the 2026 honoree, alongside Dick and Elison McAllaster during the program’s annual Senior Day ceremony at Benedictine Military School. The tradition honors Ricky McAllaster and the leadership he inspired. (Courtesy BC Lacrosse)
Since then, the decision on who will wear number 10 in the following season has continued to be made solely by the current wearer, with no coach involvement or player voting.
“It obviously can be a tough decision sometimes, because you might have a couple leaders out there. But we’ve been doing it for 13 years now, and I think we’re 100% on making the right call,” White said. “The guys get it. They get who’s going to lead the team the best, how the team’s going to respond to that individual, and it just makes it more special because I honestly have no idea who’s going to get [the number 10] until halftime on senior day.”
While it is a great honor to wear number 10 for BC lacrosse, it also carries significant responsibility. The number 10 not only requires an excellent level of play, but also the ability to step into an important leadership role.
“It’s a lot of pressure, because everybody looks at you. You’re asking a 17 or 18 year old boy to fill a major leadership position where the whole team looks at him, either in a tight game or a rough practice and he’s always expected to be on. You can’t have an off day,” Coach White said. “They end up growing into the role, and they always do well. It’s a pretty special thing to wear. It lets these boys realize that ‘Hey, we’re playing lacrosse. We’re playing this sport for something greater than ourselves.”
Coach Dustin White knows firsthand what it takes to wear the number 10 for the Cadets, having been one of the first players to wear it when he did so as a senior in 2014.
Benedictine players run onto the field carrying the No. 10 flag before a game at Benedictine Military School. Riley Wilson wore the No. 10 jersey during that season, representing the program’s leadership tradition honoring Ricky McAllaster. (Courtesy BC Lacrosse)
“[Having worn #10] helps provide the perspective that it isn’t actually all on you as the individual, and you have to realize that you have other captains that can help you lead the team. When I was a senior we only had one other senior captain than myself (Liam Cunningham), and he not only was a great lacrosse player but a great teammate and leader. We worked really well together, and even though I was wearing #10, it was us working together to do whatever we needed to do to make the team great,” White said.
“Nowadays when I see guys feeling the pressure of wearing the jersey, I of course challenge them to rise to the occasion but also to look to the other captains for help. At the end of the day it isn’t about one guy and you do have to rely on your teammates to get the job done.”
Even now, 13 years after Hunter Herbert became the first cadet senior to wear the number 10, the legacy is as strong as ever. Each spring, as halftime unfolds on senior day and the number changes hands once more, it’s not just a symbol of leadership but also a reminder of the foundation on which the program was built. Most recently, this honor was bestowed upon Cadet Senior Wyatt Estabrook, who will wear the #10 for this season.
“Finding out that I was chosen to wear #10 was a special moment that I will never forget. On Father Albert field, surrounded by family, teammates and coaches with the BC Lacrosse tradition of #10 very much alive made it unforgettable. I knew instantly that with the honor of the #10 came responsibility and respect,” Estabrook said.
“I am thankful for every #10 that came before me, who set the standard and most importantly thankful for Mr. and Mrs. McAllaster for their trust in me. I am forever proud and honored to carry on such an important and present legacy. This is one of the most important honors in my entire life.”
For Estabrook, being able to wear the number 10 for BC Lacrosse is a dream come true and a long-time goal achieved, reflecting Ricky McAllaster’s lasting impact on the program and on generations of Cadets over the last 13 years.
“The coaches and players instilled the #10 tradition in BC Lacrosse ever since I knew about BC Lacrosse. The tradition is what holds BC lacrosse together. Charlie Ianonne, Riley Wilson, and Walker Groves were teammates of mine who wore #10 and truly represented what it means to be in such a position," said Estabrook.
"In their leadership we saw some of the greatest seasons in BC Lacrosse history, and I am confident I can do the same. Coach Dustin, the program’s first recipient of the #10 honor, has also instilled Ricky’s legacy since I first started at BC. The #10 tradition taught me what it means to be a part of BC lacrosse and has shaped me into the player and person I am today.”
Since the tradition began, the following Benedictine seniors have carried the responsibility and honor of wearing #10:
Recipients of Benedictine Lacrosse #10 Tradition:
2013 — Hunter Hebert
2014 — Dustin White
2015 — Connor Dewitt
2017 — Drew Tison
2018 — Madison Phillips
2019 — Aidan Coleman
2020 — Michael Mowers
2021 — Cal Bowers
2022 — Kyen Argentinis
2023 — Charlie Iannone
2024 — Riley Wilson
2025 — Walker Groves
2026 - Wyatt Estabrook
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Benedictine Miltary School Lacrosse program and communicatons department.
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