ATLANTA – Former Emory standout Ryan Covert was one of six players selected from an open tryout for the Atlanta Blaze and will now participate in the MLL franchise’s preseason training camp. Fifty players participated in the open tryouts and Covert got the nod.

“I took the entire month of March off to train,” Cover said. “I've been training for several months, but switched to full time to prepare for the tryout. I actually didn't hear back from them initially. In a cruel twist of fate, they had the wrong phone number. I got an email from Coach Tucker letting me know they were going pick me up.”

The Blaze will hold its preseason training camp starting on April 16. Covert will face stiff competition to make the team, but was excited about hearing from old Emory friends and the opportunity to extend his lacrosse career.

“I heard from about 10 of my former teammates,” Covert said. “Everyone was pretty excited. I played on the practice squad for the Chicago Machine back in 2009. I thought my career had ended, but when the Blaze announced they were going to have a team in Atlanta, I decided to take one last crack at it. Worst case scenario is I would get back in shape and play some good lacrosse. I guess 30 is the new 20.”

Covert played for Emory from 2005-08 and was twice selected as an MCLA First Team All-American on defense. During his junior year in ’07, Covert helped the Eagles advance to the quarterfinals of the MCLA Division II national tournament.