Three former Canisius standouts plus current head coach Randy Mearns are all looking to lead their respective national teams to gold at the 2010 Men's Lacrosse World Championship, which begins on Friday.

Mearns is serving as assistant coach for the second-straight championship with the Team Canada, while former Griffs Angus Dineley and Matt Vinc will also represent the defending world champions. Mearns and Vinc were both members of the gold-medal winning team in 2006. In addition, Justin Rychlicki is a member of the Polish National Team.

Dineley played goalie for the Griffs from 2004 to 2007. He appeared in 39 games with 28 starting assignments and ranks fifth in school history with 306 career saves, fourth with a .528 career save percentage and third with a 9.63 goals against average. During the 2005 campaign, Dineley recorded a save percentage of .595, the ninth-best mark in the NCAA.

Vinc, a four-year defender at Canisius, led the Griffs in ground balls in three different seasons and ranks fifth all-time with 258 career ground balls. A 2004 and 2005 All-MAAC selection, Vinc played in eight games at the 2006 World Championship, recording one goal and eight ground balls. Vinc was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2005 NLL Draft as a goalkeeper and is currently a member of the Orlando Titans.

Rychlicki played for Canisius from 2006 to 2009, including the Griffs' MAAC Championship season in 2008. The midfielder appeared in 39 games as a Griff, totaling 12 points, eight goals and four assists.

Canada opens defense of its title on Friday against Japan, while Rychlicki and Poland begin the championship against Bermuda.