Daily Pilot High School Athlete of the Week:

Like father, like son. That’s a phrase Ryan Mix is not really concerned with when it comes to lacrosse.

The Corona del Mar High senior admires and respects his father, the Sea Kings’ coach and a renowned figure in lacrosse circles. But Mix said he wants to achieve success based on his own work, not because of his last name.

His determination to be more independent with regard to lacrosse has driven him to become a better player, he said. Certainly he has stepped up his game for the Sea Kings.

Mix doesn’t believe there’s pressure in being the son of G.W. Mix. Instead, the Sea Kings’ attackman calls it a standard he religiously attempts to meet daily.

“He definitely expects a lot,” Ryan Mix said of his father. “He has high standards for me. Me trying to live up to those standards has made me a great player.”

It helps that G.W. Mix never forced Ryan, as well as his two younger brothers, to play lacrosse. However, the sport has been prominent in the home.

G.W. Mix played whiled growing up in Baltimore, Md. He starred at Gillman High, a traditional powerhouse in lacrosse. He also played lacrosse at the University of Pennsylvania, where he later became an assistant and, later, the head coach.

As a coach, he directed several camps on the East Coast.

Still, it wasn’t until little Ryan was in the fourth grade that he wanted to know more about lacrosse. Ryan says he struggled with soccer, basketball and baseball.

At least in lacrosse, Ryan could find help.

“I was unfortunate I had a good career in the Ivy League,” G.W. Mix said. “I certainly don’t need my son’s career to validate my own.”

“My wife is the same. She was a very talented player,” G.W. said of his wife, Mary (the former Allison) who played at Newport Harbor High and later UC Santa Barbara. “We try not to push them. Was I excited when he came to me, asking to play and learn about lacrosse? Sure. But it wasn’t something I pushed on him.”

Ryan’s mother, Mary, was a reason the Mixes left North Carolina and moved to Newport Coast. But who would’ve thought her kid would be playing so well at her alma mater’s rival school? He has improved each season and in this fourth varsity year. This season, the Notre Dame-bound Mix leads CdM in scoring with 52 goals and 11 assists.

Mix scored 10 goals in two wins last week, seven goals in a 9-4 win over Mount St. Joseph’s of Baltimore, Md. that tied his career best for a game. He’s helped the Sea Kings to a 11-1 record, 6-0 in the Pacific Coast League and he scored the game-winning goal in a 7-6 overtime win over Foothill March 21.

Last year, the Knights ended CdM’s postseason run in the U.S. Lacrosse Southern Section Orange County title game. The Sea Kings hope they can return this season. Ryan believes CdM can attain greatness this season, though many believed it would be somewhat of a rebuilding year.

“I think it comes to down to who wants it more and I think this team wants it more,” Ryan said. “If we keep doing that we’ll keep winning and keep getting opportunities.”

It could be a special season for CdM, yet for the Mixes it already has been. That’s because Ryan is playing on the team with his brother Casey, a freshman. Ryan says he’s thrilled to play with his younger brother and enjoys working hard with him. Dad is also cherishing the season.

“It’s pretty special,” says G.W. Mix, who likes to joke that Mary is holding out hope for the youngest, Kyle, 8, to compete in volleyball. “To be fortunate enough that my career allows me to be with all the kids, not just around my own, is great. To help them with the good times and through the bad, that’s a blessing.”