CJ Kirst Bio
Christopher John Kirst, known professionally as CJ Kirst, is an American professional lacrosse player born on September 20, 2002, in Bernardsville, New Jersey. He plays as an attackman and is recognized for his record-breaking college career at Cornell University, where he became the all-time Division I leader in career goals. Kirst currently plays for the Philadelphia Waterdogs of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), making him one of only a handful of athletes selected first overall in both professional lacrosse drafts.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 210 pounds, Kirst is regarded as one of the most accomplished attackmen of his generation. His combination of shooting accuracy, field vision, and competitive drive earned him the 2025 Tewaaraton Award, the most prestigious individual honor in collegiate lacrosse. He is widely viewed as a foundational piece for both the Waterdogs and the Rock heading into the next phase of his professional career.
Early Life and Background
CJ Kirst was born the fourth of five sons to Kyle and Michelle Kirst and raised in Bernardsville, New Jersey. He grew up alongside his four brothers, all of whom went on to play collegiate lacrosse. Three of his older brothers, Connor, Colin, and Cole, have also pursued professional careers in the Premier Lacrosse League. The Kirst household was deeply rooted in the sport, as his father Kyle had built a reputation coaching lacrosse at several New Jersey high schools and had earlier played goalie for Rutgers University.
The Kirst family faced a profound loss in 2015 when Kyle died suddenly from a heart attack. Despite the tragedy, the brothers continued to pursue the sport their father had championed, with CJ eventually emerging as the most decorated of the group. CJ attended the Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey, where he quickly established himself as one of the state’s most dangerous scorers. His senior season in 2020 was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he had already committed to Cornell University for lacrosse in July 2019. In addition to lacrosse, Kirst played basketball during his four years at Delbarton, though he did not continue with the sport at the collegiate level.
Path to Lacrosse
Kirst’s entry into competitive lacrosse was shaped by the strong culture of the sport in New Jersey and the influence of his family. From an early age, he trained within a household where lacrosse was a central focus, giving him exposure to high-level coaching and competition. His time at Delbarton School allowed him to refine his attacking skills against elite competition and gain recognition as a top-tier recruit. By the time he committed to Cornell in 2019, Kirst was already considered one of the most promising attackmen in his class.
His development accelerated at Cornell, where he joined a program with a proud lacrosse tradition. As a freshman in 2022, he scored 55 goals and totaled 79 points across 19 games, earning Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors. That same summer, he represented the United States at the World Lacrosse Men’s U-21 World Championship, where he scored five goals against Canada in the final to lead Team USA to a 12–10 victory and was named tournament MVP. These early experiences established Kirst as a rising star in the sport and set the stage for his record-setting upperclassman years.
CJ Kirst Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Kirst’s first two seasons at Cornell established him as one of the most productive young attackmen in college lacrosse. In his freshman campaign, he finished second on the team in both goals and points, tied the single-game record with seven goals in an NCAA tournament victory over Ohio State, and helped lead the Big Red to the national championship game, where they fell to Maryland. He also represented Team USA on the international stage, claiming MVP honors at the U-21 World Championship.
As a sophomore in 2023, Kirst elevated his production, scoring 65 goals and totaling 84 points across 15 games. He scored 11 points in a single game against Hobart, the most by any Ivy League player that season, and was recognized as a first-team USILA All-American, Ivy League Player of the Year, ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, and the recipient of the Lt. Jack Turnbull Award for Outstanding Attackman. He was also named a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award, signaling his arrival among the elite players in the collegiate game.
Cornell Breakthrough (2024–2025)
In his junior year in 2024, Kirst scored 45 goals and totaled 67 points across 14 games while leading the Ivy League with 3.21 goals per game. He was again named a first-team All-American and reached the semifinalist stage of the Tewaaraton Award. That fall, he represented Team USA at the Men’s Box World Championships, where the program earned its first-ever silver medal.
His senior season in 2025 was the most decorated of his college career. Kirst tallied 82 goals, tying the Division I single-season record, and 115 total points. On April 26, he scored his 225th career goal in a victory over Dartmouth, breaking the Division I record for career goals. He finished with 247 career goals and 345 points. As the top seed in the NCAA tournament, Cornell advanced to the championship game against Maryland, where Kirst scored six goals in a 13–10 victory, tying the record for most goals in a national title game and earning Most Outstanding Player honors. He won the Tewaaraton Award, the Lt. Raymond J. Enners Outstanding Player of the Year, and was nominated for the 2025 Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award.
Professional Era (2025–Present)
Kirst was selected first overall in the 2025 PLL Draft by the Philadelphia Waterdogs. After undergoing right hand surgery in early June, he spent the first six weeks of the season on the physically unable to perform list before making his professional debut on July 19 against the Maryland Whipsnakes. He scored his first professional goal a week later against the Carolina Chaos. He is currently contracted with the Waterdogs through 2027.
In September 2025, Kirst was selected first overall in the NLL Draft by the Toronto Rock, becoming only the fifth player in history to be picked first overall in both the PLL and NLL drafts. In his rookie NLL campaign, he posted 71 points on 34 goals and 37 assists during the regular season and added 10 more points in the playoffs, helping lead the Rock to the NLL Final. On May 13, 2026, he was named NLL Rookie of the Year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kirst is known for his left-handed shot, sharp finishing ability around the crease, and consistency in generating offense in high-pressure situations. His knack for producing multi-point games and breaking through elite defenses has been a hallmark of his career, and his ability to deliver in championship moments has set him apart from his peers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kirst’s most defining moments include breaking the Division I career goals record with 247, tying the single-season goals record with 82, and scoring six goals in the 2025 NCAA championship game to deliver Cornell its first national title in 48 years. He was also named MVP of the 2022 U-21 World Championship, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer on the biggest stages.
CJ Kirst Career Wins
Throughout his career, CJ Kirst has been recognized as one of the most productive scorers in collegiate lacrosse history, capping his tenure at Cornell with an NCAA Division I national championship. He won three USILA All-American selections, two Ivy League Player of the Year awards, two ECAC Offensive Player of the Year honors, and the 2025 Tewaaraton Award. At the professional level, he added the NLL Rookie of the Year honor in 2026.
Cornell Highlights
During his four seasons at Cornell, Kirst accumulated 247 goals and 345 points, finishing as the program’s all-time leader in career goals and breaking the Division I record in the process. His freshman-year seven-goal performance against Ohio State tied the NCAA tournament single-game record, and his senior-year six-goal effort in the 2025 national championship game tied the mark for most goals in a title game. He closed his college career as a three-time USILA All-American and the most decorated attackman in program history.
Other Wins and Performances
Kirst represented Team USA at the 2022 U-21 World Championship, scoring five goals in the final to lead the team to gold and earning tournament MVP honors. In 2024, he helped the United States men’s box team capture its first-ever silver medal at the World Championships. He was also named a Tewaaraton Award finalist in 2023 and a semifinalist in 2024 before winning the award outright in 2025.
CJ Kirst Family
Family Background and Lacrosse Lineage
CJ Kirst comes from one of the most accomplished lacrosse families in New Jersey. His father, Kyle Kirst, was a respected high school coach and a former goalie at Rutgers University. His mother, Michelle Kirst, raised the family of five sons, all of whom played collegiate lacrosse. His older brothers Connor, Colin, and Cole Kirst have all played in the Premier Lacrosse League, continuing the family’s deep connection to the sport.
Personal Life
Following the sudden passing of his father Kyle in 2015, CJ has often credited his family, particularly his brothers, as a major source of motivation throughout his career. The loss inspired him to pursue excellence on the lacrosse field as a way of honoring his father’s legacy. He has kept much of his personal life private as he transitions into his professional career with the Philadelphia Waterdogs and the Toronto Rock.
2025 Season Performance
CJ Kirst’s 2025 season was the defining year of his lacrosse career, as he delivered one of the most decorated individual campaigns in NCAA history. He tied the Division I single-season goals record with 82, broke the career goals record with his 225th tally against Dartmouth, and was named Tewaaraton Award winner. He also helped lead top-seeded Cornell to the NCAA championship, where his six-goal performance against Maryland secured the program’s first national title in 48 years.
At the professional level, Kirst was selected first overall by the Philadelphia Waterdogs in the PLL Draft and made his debut in July 2025 after recovering from right hand surgery. Later in the year, he was taken first overall by the Toronto Rock in the NLL Draft, becoming one of only five players to earn the top pick in both leagues. His transition to the professional ranks, combined with his historic college campaign, positioned him as one of the most visible young stars in the sport heading into 2026.
