John Hayden
In 2001 Coach Hayden founded the Apex Lacrosse club to create more opportunities for students from the area to participate in athletics. The following year (2002) the team played its first Varsity season. In 2003, Apex made the playoffs for the first time. Since the 2004 season (the past five years) Apex has compiled a record of 96-15. Apex has played in four of the past five Final Fours and broke through by winning the State Championship in 2005 in only their fourth year of Varsity play. To date, three Apex players have earned All America honors and numerous players are active and former college players in Division I, II, and III. Apex has won five straight Conference Championships going undefeated in conference play during that time. Coach Hayden is an alumnus of Farmingdale HS on Long Island where his 1983 team won the Nassau County Championship and Hayden earned All Nassau County Honors as a Defenseman. Hayden also played Division I Lacrosse at Rutgers University and participated in the NCAA playoffs two times while playing “On the Banks”. Coach Hayden is the Dean of Student Services at Apex High School.
Chris Iorio
Chris Iorio joined the Apex coaching staff in 2008 as an Assistant Varsity and Assistant JV Coach. Coach Iorio has served most recently as the Head Lacrosse Coach at NC State University and as an Assistant Coach at Cary Academy. Coach Iorio hails from Seaford, Long Island where he was a three sport athlete in high school and a member of the Long Island Empire State team in his senior year. Coach Iorio attended and played Lacrosse at Cortland State University in New York. Coach Iorio is currently a Physical Education teacher at Apex High School.
Jimmy Cardillo
Coach Cardillo hails from Manhasset, Long Island where he was a State Champion as a Sophomore, a runner-up as a Junior, and a Gold Medalist for his Empire State Team. Coach Cardillo continued his playing career at Hampden Sydney College where he was a four year starter, 2 year Captain, and an All American his Senior season. Coach Cardillo has been coaching youth and club lacrosse at all levels for the past 18 years. He resides in Cary with his wife Deirdre and three kids- Cailin, Brigid, and James.
Ed Moore
Ed Moore founded the Apex Lacrosse program in 2001 with Coach Hayden. Coach Moore is currently the Head JV Coach for the Cougars. He has served in many capacities for the Cougars over the years. Year in and year out Coach Moore sets an important foundation with the younger players in the Apex program and is one of those responsible for the quality players entering the Varsity system each year. Coach Moore is a graduate of Calvert Hall HS in Maryland and currently serves as a Captain in the Cary Fire Department.
Thomas Spaulding
Coach Spaulding graduated from Tully High School in Syracuse, NY in 1979 with 11 varsity letters. His senior year he was the league’s leading scorer in lacrosse and named to the All-Conference teams in football, lacrosse and track. He played lacrosse 2 years at SUNY Farmingdale helping them win a national championship and earning All-American honors. He then transferred to Cornell University and played his final two years, being Ivy League champs and making the NCAA playoffs both years with a career high #2 national ranking. Locally, he has coached lacrosse for the past 10 years in various summer leagues, at Salem Middle School, Panther Creek High School, and Apex High School.
Chip Thurston
Chip Thurston joined the Apex coaching staff in 2002. Coach Thurston was our first JV coach and moved to his position as Assistant Varsity Coach in 2006. Coach Thurston has been one of the anchors of the Apex Lacrosse Program over the years. He is currently doing double duty as he serves as Head Coach of the NC State Lacrosse Program. Coach Thurston played Lacrosse and Football at Irondequoit HS in Rochester, New York and is a graduate of Geneseo University in New York