The Last Ride for the Gattie Boys

The four brothers have been competing together as Admirals on the Varsity Lacrosse team for the first—and last—time this season, fulfilling a pact they made years ago.

While the quad of brothers played together on a multi-year club team when they were much younger, their goal was always to play together in high school. They were so committed to this plan that twins Casey and Tristan transferred to Severn as sophomores—the same year Kevin entered as a freshman—once Connor, the youngest of the Gattie boys, made it known that he also intended to be an Admiral.

Because the siblings are so close in age, it was logistically possible for them to be on Varsity together—but certainly not guaranteed, especially in the competitive MIAA A-Conference. In the 2024 season, they were three-quarters of the way there, with Casey, Tristan, and Kevin, Jr., then a sophomore, making the squad.

That put pressure on Connor during tryouts this February because the “dream team” could only happen if he earned a spot on Varsity. The 2025 season was their one chance to play together.

“It was really all up to Connor,” said mom, Lisa, who shared that they didn’t even know about this pact among their sons. "It was a lot of pressure on him. And then when he made Varsity, I don't know which one of the boys was more excited. Casey called me yelling, ‘He made it!’”

Three of the four brothers play defense for the Admirals, while Kevin is the lone Gattie attackman. Casey and Connor play close defense, and Tristan is a defensive midfielder.

According to Kevin, being the only offensive player makes him a target during practice. “They’re always beating up on me in practice,” he said. “But in games, having them back there on defense is the best part.”

As the youngest, Connor has benefited by learning from his brothers – they've taught him both the fundamentals and how to read the game better. “Connor really looks up to Casey, and because they play the same position, Casey has been a great mentor to him,” said Lisa.

Their tough defensive play has led to yet another family affair within the team—Severn’s Man-Down Unit includes Casey, Tristan, and Connor. “It’s really cool to see them working together when the team goes man-down,” said Kevin, Sr. “The boys told me that one of the other defenders just calls it the ‘Gattie Unit.'"

Being on this specialized unit is meaningful to the boys as well. "I think walking out on the field when we go man-down is when it hits me just how cool this is,” said Connor.


"The Gattie Boys”

All four boys have played lacrosse since they were young, continuing a tradition established by their dad, Kevin Sr. He attended St. Mary's in Annapolis, where he competed in lacrosse before continuing his playing career at the University of Delaware. "Our family doesn't really know anything but this," he joked. "Because they’re so close in age, the boys have been collectively known as ‘The Gattie Boys’ for years. People don’t even know sometimes which one is which.”

While they have four distinct personalities, they are all competitive—especially when it comes to lacrosse. Having four of them made it easy to run two-on-two games at home. According to Tristan, these got “seriously competitive.”

Lisa recounted with a laugh the broken windows, the living room fiddle goal, the hole in the siding, and the countless backyard lacrosse battles that have defined life in the Gattie household ever since the boys were little. “It’s funny now to think about all of that,” she said. “One minute, they’re best friends, and the next, couches are flipping over! But they’re always friends in the end.”

When asked what this season means to him, Casey, one of the two senior captains of this year’s squad, said simply, "Everything."

The brothers reflected on just how special this experience is and how grateful they are to have this one season to play together before embarking on new paths. Casey is headed to Gettysburg College in the fall, where he will continue his lacrosse career, while Tristan matriculates at Ole Miss. He is undecided on whether he will play club lacrosse. Kevin, Jr., and Connor will continue to represent the Admirals as upperclassmen, but they will be short two Gatties, making for a very different season.

“No one else I know has had this kind of experience,” said Tristan. “Special is the best word I can think of to describe it.”

More than the games, the Gattie boys will collectively miss the little things – the car rides to practice, the locker room banter, and the bus rides. “I’ll miss the fact that wherever I turn, one of my brothers is there,” said Kevin.

“Growing up, playing together at this level was a dream for all of us,” said Casey. “It’s been really special to look out and see all my brothers on the field for my last year of high school lacrosse.”

The Gattie family is an amazing representation of how special Severn School is,” said Varsity Boys Lacrosse Head Coach Keegan Wilkinson, who is in his first year with the Admirals. “To have four brothers playing together and achieving success has been special to watch and to be a part of.”

With just one game left in the 2025 season—against rival St. Mary's, Kevin Sr.'s alma mater—the end of this particular era for the Gattie family has arrived. Kevin, Sr., and Lisa admit they aren’t quite prepared for it.

"We never really thought that this was how this part of their lives would end – with all four of them on the field together,” said Kevin, Sr. “We’re super-proud. It's been awesome watching them all four out there helping the team.”

The brothers aren't quite prepared for it to end, either. "It's been awesome," said Kevin, Jr. "I think when it’s over...that’s when it will really hit me just how special this season has been.”

“Watching them walk off the field at the end of this last game will be surreal. But it’s a neat way for them to end it, being all together,” said Kevin, Sr.

“It’s been a really fun ride,” added Lisa.