Delbarton lacrosse alum CJ Kirst '20 added another remarkable chapter to his professional career this weekend, capping a record-setting Premier Lacrosse League season by leading the Philadelphia Waterdogs to the 2026 PLL Championship.

In just his second PLL season, Kirst established himself as one of the league's premier offensive players. The former Green Wave standout scored 34 goals during the regular season, breaking the PLL single-season goals record. Kirst surpassed the previous mark of 30 and finished the year with four more goals than any player had previously scored in a PLL regular season.
His record-breaking performance earned him the league's highest individual honor, as Kirst was named the 2026 Jim Brown Most Valuable Player.
But Kirst and the Waterdogs still had one goal remaining.

Philadelphia advanced to the PLL Championship Game against the Denver Outlaws on September 20 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison and Kirst delivered his biggest performance of the season on the league's biggest stage.  Kirst recorded five goals and two assists for seven points, setting a PLL Championship Game record for points as Philadelphia defeated Denver, 14-4, to capture the league title. The Waterdogs held Denver scoreless throughout the second half as they secured the second championship in franchise history.

For his performance, Kirst was named PLL Championship MVP, completing a season in which he captured the league MVP award, set the single-season goals record and finished by hoisting the championship trophy.  The championship also continued an extraordinary stretch for Kirst following his collegiate career at Cornell. He finished his Big Red career as the NCAA Division I all-time leader with 239 career goals and won the 2025 Tewaaraton Award as the nation's top collegiate lacrosse player.

For Delbarton, Kirst's latest accomplishments continue a journey that began during his years in Morristown as a member of the Green Wave lacrosse program under head coach Matt Kovachik.
From Delbarton to Cornell and now to the top of professional lacrosse, Kirst continues to add to an already remarkable résumé.

PLL single-season goals record holder. League MVP. PLL Champion. Championship MVP.
A historic season for CJ Kirst '20.