PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers University men's lacrosse head coach Jim Stagnitta has announced the addition of 12 student-athletes who will join the Scarlet Knights men's lacrosse program starting in the fall of 2008.
The stellar class includes three attackmen, five midfielders, three defensemen and a goalie.
'I am pleased to announce that 12 student-athletes have accepted admission and will play lacrosse at Rutgers University in the fall of 2008,' said Stagnitta. 'This is a talented group and each has excelled in every aspect of their high school careers. I am especially excited about the quality of athlete in this group. Most are very successful multi-sport athletes who we believe will reach their full potential here on the banks. With this group we take another big step forward as a program. All of these young men have great character and will make a positive impact on our team and in the University community.'
Ed Bartleson is a defenseman from Morristown, N.J. who attends the Montclair Kimberley Academy. He was named Second-Team Group B All-State and was also choosen as a First-Team All-Rizk Division selection as a junior during the 2007 season. Bartleson has been a three-year varsity starter in lacrosse and a four-year varsity starter in hockey. He will serve as a team captain in both sports during his senior campaign. In the classroom, Bartleson was named a National Merit Commended Scholar.
Mike Diehl, a 6-3, 210-pound attackman from Flemington, N.J., is a four-year letterman and three-year starter at Hunterdon Central High School. As a junior he was named to the NJILCA Division A All-State Second-Team and to the All-Skyland Conference First-Team. He led his team with 49 goals and 25 assists during the 2007 season. In addition, Diehl was a three-year football letterman and named to the Star Ledger First Team All-State team as a linebacker. Diehl was a three-time New Jersey Group 4 state lacrosse champion and a two-time New Jersey Group 4 state football champion.
Jacob Fradkin, a 6-2, 205-pound defensman, comes to Rutgers from a very solid St. Paul's High School lacrosse team. As a freshman, Fradkin led his team to the Junior Varsity lacrosse championship in 2005. He is a two-year member of the varsity lacrosse squad and is a two-way star on the varsity football team. Fradkin was honored with the McCormick Unsung Hero Award from football and has been given numerous Player of the Game awards. Fradkin has also been named to the Headmasters list each year of high school by maintaining above a 3.5 grade point average.
Marcus Giarrusso joins the Scarlet Knights after starting in goal for four years at Marcellus High School in Camillus, N.Y. Giarrusso was named his team's Most Valuable Player as a freshman in 2005 and was named All-League three years. In addition, Giarrusso was a member of the CNY Roadhawks Select Team and in the classroom he was an Honor Roll student all four years.
Kevin Hover is a 5-11, 195-pound attackman from Bellemead, N.J. The lefty led his Montgomery High School teammates to the 2007 Group 3 State Championship, while scoring 65 goals and adding 29 assists on the season. Hover ended the year in the top-10 in scoring in the state of New Jersey. The Cougars ended the year ranked fifth in the state and Hover will return as the captain of the 2008 squad. Hover has been named to the New Jersey Interscholastic Lacorsse Coaches Association All-America Team, First-Team All-State, First-Team All Skyland Conference and the Bianchi Division Player of the Year. He was also named in Inside Lacrosse as a 'Scorpion USA Top 50 Senior'. Off the field, Hover has made the Honor Roll every marking period and has been in the National Honor Society for two years.
Will Mangan is a midfielder from Maplewood, N.J. He has played three seasons at Columbia High School. As a junior in 2007, Mangan talliled 39 goals, 15 assists and 133 groundballs. He was First-Team All-Fitch 'A' Division and First-Team All-Iron Hills Conference. In addition Mangan was Second-Team All-State and named to the Garden State Team.
Chris Neinstedt is a 6-3, 235-pound midfielder from Kinnelon, N.J. He is a four-year varsity letterman in both lacrosse and football. He played on the NJ State U-13 and U-15 All-State Teams and was captain of the 2006 Garden State Challenge Championship Team. Neinstedt was also named to the All-CHC Conference Second-Team and has captained his lacrosse team in each of his last two seasons. On the gridiron, Neinstedt was named to the All-CHC Conference First-Team in both his junior and senior seasons. He was also named First-Team Group 1 All-State his last two years. As a captain of his senior football squad, Neinstedt was honored as the Suburban Trends Player of the Season.
Tim Rommel hales from Henniger High School in Syracuse, N.Y. where he has played varsity lacrosse for five years and varsity football for four. In 2007, Rommel was First-Team All-League, named to the All-Central New York Second-Team, and was selected as a captain of the Empire State Games. He has compiled 90 goals and 54 assists while at Henniger. Rommel was also named to the All-Central New York and All-New York State Second-Team's for his accomplishments on the football field this season. He has maintained a 3.85 gpa and is a member of the National Honor Society. His brother Jeff is a junior captain of the Rutgers lacrosse squad.
Mike Stagnitta is an attackman from Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square, N.Y. Stagnitta exploded during his junior season, tallying 42 goals and 20 assists en route to being named a First-Team All-League selection. Over his career he has posted 63 goals and 33 assists and has been named his team's captain for the upcoming season.
Greg Teatom is a 5-9, 165-pound midfielder out of Massapequa, N.Y. He stared in both lacrosse and football at Massapequa High School on Long Island. He is a three-year varsity letterman who played on the Class A Nassau Country Championship team in 2006. Last season, as a face-off midfielder, he won 60 percent of his face-offs and was second on the team with 61 groundballs. Teatom was also captain of his 2007 football team and the winner of the white letter award, given to the team's Most Valuable Player. In the classroom, Teatom is an Honor Roll student and a scholar athlete. His father, James was an All-ECAC football player and an All-American in Lacrosse for Rutgers from 1974-1977.
Ryan Warnick arrives 'On the Banks' from Boonton Township, N.J. Warnick was a three-time varsity letter winner in both lacrosse and football at Mountain Lakes High School. In 2007, the defenseman started for the Group I New Jersey State Championship team that won the 2007 Tournament of Champions. He was also awarded the Skip Watts Memorial Award for the football player that exhibited unwavering dedication to his team.
Zack Zenda is from nearby South Brunswick, N.J. Zenda was a two-sport athlete excelling in both lacrosse and soccer at South Brunswick High School. He won the GMC Championship in both 2006 and 2007 and was named Second-Team All-Middlesex Country during his junior campaign. In soccer, Zenda was named First-Team All-Central Jersey, First-Team All-Middlesex Country, and Second-Team All-State. He will captain his lacrosse team during the 2008 season.
